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ECONOMIC TRENDS
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GROUP I
The families in this group with an average annual income of. Rs. 4,200 and over were generally considered well-to-do. These families generally maintained a high living standard with decent and sufficient accommodation, well-stitched dresses of a line variety of cloth, with, a high literacy percentage and polished manners. These families could afford comforts like, ceiling fans, radio-sets, motor-cycles and cars, gas-stoves, geysers, etc.
The family was composed of four adults and two minors making a total of five units. Most of the families had two earning members. Almost 75 per cent of the families owned landed and other property. The average annual income from all sources of a family in this group was placed at about Rs. 6,000.
The average savings of a family in cash were placed at about Rs. 5,000, and in other forms, such as, insurance, provident fund. etc., at Rs. 3,000. Few families were in debt, and the debts were mostly contracted for productive purposes, such as, improvement to agriculture, running of a business, etc.
The average monthly expenditure of a family on food items came to Rs. 150 comprising cereals and pulses, Rs. 65; oils and ghee, Rs. 25; vegetables, mutton and eggs, Rs. 20 and milk. Rs. 40. The other monthly expenditure of Rs. 130 was distributed on lighting, Rs. 10: domestic services, Rs. 50; education, Rs. 10; entertainment, Rs. 25, and house-rent and such other expenditure incurred on maintaining house and paying taxes. Rs. 35. Domestic servants were employed by many families and were paid on an average Rs. 50 per month besides meals, tea and staying facilities in a few cases. Many a time, more than one domestic servant was employed in a family. Most of the domestic servants were employed as full-time servants and not for specific jobs. In case of entertainment, these families, as they could afford, were found spending considerably. Their choice was mostly for film shows and dramas and for classical and light music in a few cases. Milk was a common item of their diet: and milk products were also consumed.
The average annual expenditure on clothing of a family was Rs. 600 and is not surprising in view of their high taste for clothing and excellent stitching. Use of terylene and terycot fabrics was not uncommon at least with urbanites.
Generally people in this group were religious-minded and their expenditure, on this item per annum was put at about Rs. 276. They were health conscious also, and spent annually about Rs. 144
on medical account. The expenditure of a family on travelling and miscellaneous items was also high and came to about Rs. 840 per annum.
The household equipment of a family in this group consisted of stainless steel, brass and copper utensils. The use of silver mensils was also frequent. Their bedding generally comprised thick cushioned beds, fine chaddars, woollen blankets, etc. In many families a special set was maintained for the guests. They possessed gold ornaments but many a time they were held more for the intrinsic value of gold rather than their artistic worth. They had pairs for ceremonial wear. The furniture used by them was also of a costly variety, such as sofa-sets, huge cupboards, wardrobes, etc. Many families had fine crockery. A radio set and a bicycle was a common sight though a few owned motor-cycles and motor cars.
The percentage of literacy in the families in this group was very high as even those in rural areas could afford to educate their children by sending them to some outside educational centres.
The total monthly expenditure of a family in this group on food items was about 34 per cent of the total expenditure and 30 per cent of the income.
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