CHAPTER-IV
STATUS OF BELL AND BRASS METAL INDUSTRIES
Assam has its own tradition of metal manufacturing. Evidences of its metal culture
can be traced from the Archaeological evidences traced in the state (Goswami, 2009).
Articles made of bell and brass metals have facilitated this culture to spread in and outside
the state. But over the years, especially in the contemporary economic order of trade
integration, liberalization, foreign direct investment and transfer of technology, the
traditional cottage form of bell and brass metal industries of the state is facing uncertainty, as
it needs to perform in a competitive market environment. So, it is high time to evaluate the
status of the industry in terms of their spatial pattern, economic contribution and problems of
production and marketing and above all perception of the stakeholders of the sector to
mitigate the problems.
4.1. DISTRIBUTION OF BELL AND BRASS METAL INDUSTRIES
It has been already mention that the articles made of bell and brass metals in Assam
are popular form of traditional utilitarian items. Ahom and Koch kings pay due importance to
the production and products of bell and brass metal industries. During that period, bell metal
production centers were existed at Titabar, Raha and Dhekiajuli in eastern and central
Assam. However, these centres were disintegrated during the colonial period and confined
mainly to Sarthebari region of western Assam. On a limited scale, the industry also exists at
some other areas of western Assam, like Kartimari-Asharkandi-Sapatgram, Bilasipara and
Gauripur (Fig 4.1). On the other hand, the brass metal centres are located in different parts of
the state. Hajo of Kamrup district and Sarthebari cluster of Barpeta district are two main
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centres of brass metal industry. The minor pockets of the sector are located at Mugkuchi of
Nalbari district, Uzan Bazaar and Athgaon in Guwahati of Kamrup district, Silchar of Cachar
district, Kakojan of Jorhat district, Methdung of Sibsagar
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district, Kartimari and Asharkandi of Kokrajhar district; Sapatgram, Bilasipara and Gauripur
of Dhubri district (Fig 4.2).
4.1.1. Sarthebari bell and brass metal cluster
Sarthebari bell and brass metal cluster is located in Sarthebari Revenue Circle within
Barpeta district of Assam (Fig. 4.3). Within the cluster, there exist bell metal production units
in Sarthebari, Namsala, Palla, Karakuchi, Gomura, Kalatoli, Botia, Bamunpaka, Amrikhowa,
Lochima, Kamarpara and Singra villages (Fig.4.4). Available information reveals that under
the cluster, there are 284 bell metal production units and 1260 artisans. Therefore, the
average unit size of bell metal production unit under the cluster is 4.44 workers. The 12
villages of the cluster have a total population of 25,038 persons in 4385 household (Table
4.1). Therefore, average household size stands at 5.71
Table 4.1: Work force of Sarthebari bell metal cluster
Sl. No. Name of the
village/town
T P LP No. of
HH
P H size TW Ma.W HHI BMU BMW
1 Bamunpaka 572 311 115 4.97 142 02 04 02 10
2 Amrikhowa 5,546 4,097 968 5.73 1595 379 333 15 105
3 Gomura 1,620 1,283 291 5.57 1416 25 181 41 191
4 Batia 504 373 95 5.31 178 16 43 02 19
5 Kalatoli 648 430 125 5.18 346 158 181 01 05
6 Kamarpara 911 594 167 5.45 244 30 20 01 04
7 Karakuchi 1,551 1,225 259 5.99 460 44 94 23 120
8 Lochima 1,961 1,487 343 5.72 438 38 106 08 32
9 Namsala 1,966 1,493 364 5.40 541 07 85 35 182
10 Palla 933 62 179 5.21 222 01 30 33 17
11 Singra 1,198 762 211 5.68 562 181 80 01 06
12 Sarthebari 7,628 6,208 1268 6.02 2257 243 646 152 537
13 Others ------ ------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ 32
Total 25,038 18,325 4385 66.23 7401 1124 1803 284 1260
Av or p c to its total -------- 73.19% 05.52 29.56 15.19 24.36 ----- 17.02
Source: Census of India 2001, field survey and records of Kanhar Silpi Sangstha, Sarthebari
N. B. TP-total population, LP-literate population, HH-household, PH- population per household, TW-total
workers, MaW-marginal workers, HHI-house hold industries, BMU-bell metal units, BMW-bell metal workers
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persons. Out of total population, 29.56 per cent workforce engaged in different field of
activities, indicating higher dependency ratio. The workers engaged as marginal and
household industrial category covers 15.19 per cent and 24.36 per cent respectively. So,
altogether 39.55 per cent of the workforce from the cluster engaged in marginal and
household industries within which 17.02 per cent engaged in bell metal production units.
Rest of the workforce, i.e. 60.44 per cent engaged in agriculture, service, trade and commerce
and other cottage industries like pottery, handloom etc.
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The NGOs, Central and State Governments, Financial Institutions and Co-operative
Societies are trying for all-round development of the industry. Specially, mention may be
made about contribution of the ACBMUMSL, a co-operative society of Sarthebari. The
society rendered services like supply of raw materials, charcoal and financial support to the
production units towards the development of bell metal industry.
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The very existence of bell metal industry in the cluster becomes possible for the bold
steps taken by the ACBMUMSL. The society has 12 branch-cum-sales centre in the state. In
Sarthebari cluster, there are at least twenty-five sales centres running under private
ownership along with one Branch Office and Head Office of ACBMUMSL. However, the
production units of the cluster are facing acute shortage of raw materials and charcoal.
Brass metal industry of Sarthebari Revenue Circle is popularly known as the “Sarai
Silpa”. The industry was developed in this region during the middle part of 19th
century
(Barman, 1995). Initially, it was limited to two villages namely Haldhibari and Baniakuchi.
Now, units of brass metal industry are functioning at 17 different villages under the cluster
(Table 4.2).
Table 4.2: Workforce of Sarthebari brass metal cluster
Source: Census of India, field survey, and records of Pital Silpi Sangstha, Baniakuchi
N. B. TP-total population, LP-literate population, HH-house hold, TW-total workers, MaW-marginal workers,
HHI-house hold industries, BrMU-brass metal units, BrMW-brass metalworkers * information includes
Sl No Name of the
village/town
TP LP No. of
HH
HH size TW Ma W HHI
workers
No. of
Br.M U
Br.
MW
1 Amrikhowa 5,546 4097 968 5.73 1595 379 333 09 21
2 Baghmara 1096 647 186 5.89 326 80 32 05 17
3 Baniakuchi* --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 15 65
4 Barkapla 892 587 150 5.95 279 81 80 08 35
5 Belbari 2059 1504 317 6.49 482 05 26 08 26
6 Bengapara** --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 02 12
7 Byaskuchi 3767 2343 687 5.48 973 187 42 04 10
8 Chinadi 1477 1044 255 5.79 473 292 142 01 05
9 Gohia 1430 944 276 5.18 532 186 53 02 09
10 Haldhibari 2091 1419 359 5.82 365 53 177 07 45
11 Hilepara*** --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 08 35
12 Kamarpara 911 594 167 5.45 244 30 20 01 16
13 Lochima 1,961 1487 343 5.72 438 38 106 08 32
14 Nasatra 443 344 50 5.54 98 17 11 04 18
15 Rampur 535 411 82 6.52 118 14 08 01 01
16 Rauly 786 582 134 5.86 255 46 11 04 18
17 Singra 1198 762 211 5.68 562 181 80 04 10
18 Others ----- ---- ---- ---- ----- ----- --- --- 27
Total 24192 16765 4185 ---- 6740 1589 1121 91 402
Av /P C to total ---- 69.30 05.74 5.74 27.86 23.57 16.63 ---- 05.96
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with village Haldhibari,**information includes with village Lochima ***information includes with village
Haldhibari.
The Sarthebari cluster has 91 brass metal production units and 402 artisans involved
therein. Average workers engaged in each production unit stands at 4.42. Out of total
population, 27.86 per cent engaged as workforce in different field of activities, which
indicates a higher dependency ratio. The workers engaged in marginal and household
industrial worker category represented 23.57 per cent and 16.63 per cent of work force
respectively. So, altogether 40.20 per cent of the work force of the cluster engaged in
marginal and household industries. Among them, only 05.96 per cent workers engaged in
brass metal sector. Rest of the work force, i.e. 59.80 per cent engaged in agriculture, service,
trade and commerce and other cottage industries like pottery, handloom etc.
The artisans of this industry are mostly engaged in production of sarai, japi, tray,
gasa, spoon, handle tou etc. The smithy owner or master artisans of the production units are
entangled the duty for construction of work shade, collection of raw materials, charcoal and
coke and sale of finished products. They are maintaining business relation with mahajans and
traders resides mainly near by Baniakuchi. Some of the production units procure raw
materials directly from the Guwahati based mahajans from their own capital. Despite the past
glory and subsequent development initiative, the bell and brass metal industries of the cluster
is suffering from various internal, external and operational problems.
4.1.2. Barpeta Road brass metal centre
The town Barpeta Road is situated within the Barnagar Revenue Circle of Barpeta
district, Assam. The centre is the third commercial town in the state (Merinews, 2011). The
town is located at a distance of 6.3 km from Hauli and 19.1 km from Barpeta town (Fig.4.3).
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The town has a total population of 35,725 and literacy rate stands at 73.23 per cent.
Out of total population, 11,935 (33.41%) engaged in economic activities. Again, 788
(02.21%) and 669 (01.87%) people engaged in marginal works and household industries
(Census, 2001). The town has 6 brass metal production units where 22 artisans are involved.
The youths of the locality have assisted by training offered by the master artisans of
Sapatgram and Sarthebari. Production units receive raw materials from the local traders of
Sarthebari, Pathsala and Barpeta Town.
The artisans and traders of brass metal industry had come to the locality at the time of
partition of India. However, they shifted to Raniganj of West Bengal at the time of Bhasa
Andolan (language movement) of Assam, during 1964-72. After the movement, they again
came back and settled at Barpeta Road. The artisans of Barpeta Road produce lota, manipuri
ghoti, heta, khanti, glass, kahi and bati. Kahi-bati produces from brass metal in this centre
look like bell metal products, because of their glaze added by layer called mosaic gold.
4.1.3. Western Assam bell and brass metal cluster
The Zamindars of Abhayapuri, Gauripur and some other pockets of western Assam
used to give special importance to bell and brass metal workers and provide encouragement
to them (Goswami, 2009). Such patronization is responsible for the continuation of these
traditional industries in this part of the state.
4.1.3.1. Kartimari-Asharikandi-Sapatgram bell and brass metal centre
This minor pocket of bell and brass metal production centre is located in Bhaoraguri
Revenue Circle of Kokrajhar district and Bagribari Revenue Circle of Dhubri district, Assam.
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Sapatgram is a town having 2,308 household with a total population of 12,126. Therefore, the
average household population size of the town is 5.25 and the rate of literacy stands at 75.98
per cent. Total working force of the town is 3,689 representing 30.42 per cent of the total
population (Census, 2001). Kartimari-Asharikandi centre is located towards the north east of
Gosaigaon at a distance of 20 km. and vicinity to Sapatgram town. The village Kartimari-
Asharikandi has a population size of 884 in 175 families. The average household population
size is 5.05 persons and the rate of literacy stands at 38.69. Out of 884 persons 190 (21.49 %)
belongs to schedule caste community. The total working force of the village is 222,
representing 25.11 per cent of the total population (Census, 2001). Out of the total work
force, merely 14 (6.3 per cent) people engaged in household industry (Fig 4.5 and 4.6).
The Asharkandi-Kartimari is the only bell and brass metal location of BTAD area.
Formerly, there were more than 35 families engaged in both the industries and able to earn a
sizable benefit from it (Amar Asom, 2009). Now, the centre (including Sapatgram) has only 6
bell and 5 brass metal production units with the involvement of 30 and 15 artisans
respectively. Lack of sufficient working capital, frequent price hike of raw materials and
energy, shortage of raw materials and energy, poor transport facility, lack of efforts put in by
the government and financial institutions are some of the key problems of these industries in
this locality.
The workers of the centre are regarded as kanhar, karikar, or silipi. They are
producing kahi, bati etc. of different size and shape after receiving raw materials from local
traders. The workers receive 60 grams as mulmora against per kg of raw materials and rupees
110/ kg for bell metal and 80/ kg for brass metal at an average as making charge of the
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finished products (Mirdha, 2009). Traders collect raw materials from Barpeta Road, Koch
Bihar, Falakata and Alipurduar and supplied to the production units. Charcoal is locally
available and coke is collects from Jogighopa of Goalpara district.
4.1.3.2. Bilasipara bell and brass metal centre
Bilasipara is one of the oldest centres of bell and brass metal industries of Assam
(Fig. 4.5). The centre is located at Bilasipara Revenue Circle under Bilasipara Sub-division
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of Dhubri district. The centre has a total population of 31,171 (Census, 2001). Out of this
total population 21.83 per cent belongs to schedule caste and 0.27 per cent schedule tribe.
Literacy level stands at 66.74 per cent. Where as, the percentage of workers to total
population is 30.70 (9570 persons) per cent. Altogether, 8 bell and 5 brass metal units are
operational in the area and these units supports 34 and 16 artisans respectively. Products
of the centre include jail bati, jail kahi, plain bati, plain kahi, etc. from brass and Bengali
bati, Manipuri bati from bell metal. These items are produced from the raw material supply
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from local traders and customers. The workers i.e. artisans of bell and brass metal units are
regarded as kanhar, karikar or silpi.
4.1.3.3. Gauripur (Subhaspalli) bell and brass metal centre
Gauripur is located in Dhubri Revenue Circle in the district of Dhubri, Assam
(Fig.4.5). As per the census of 2001, total population of the area is 25,002. Gauripur is a
small but beautiful town situated on the bank of the river Gadadhar, an important route of
riverine transportation. In the north-eastern side, on small hilltop Matiabagh the
“Hawakhana” palace is situated. Zamindar of Gauripur constructed the palace. The
Asharkandi village, famous for terracotta industry is situated by the side of the river
Godadhar. The National Highway 31 runs across the town. Literacy level of the town stands
at 75 per cent, higher than national average of 59.5 per cent. Of the total population, 8148
(32.59%) engaged in different activities. Out of this total work force, 520 and 519 persons
are engaged in marginal and household industries. The centre has one bell metal and two
brass metal production units where 10 artisans are involved. Raw materials are collected
from hawkers, customers and sometimes from places like Barpeta Road, Koch Bihar,
Falakata and Alipurduar.
4.1.4. Mugkuchi brass metal centre
Mugkuchi is an important village of Bahjani Mauza under Nalbari District, Assam
(Fig 4.7). The village has 396 household and 2,275 populations according to 2001census.
Therefore, the average person per household is 5.62. The literacy rate of the village is 75.33
per cent. Out of the total population, 29.66 per cent are main workers. Among them, 1.08 and
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1.84 per cents engaged as marginal and household workers respectively. The village has long
history of cottage industries like japi made of bamboo and cane, pottery, brass metal
industry, raas (items used in hand loom) made of bamboo, black smithy etc. However, the
art of making brass metal articles of the centre is not very old and the first garhsal at
Mugkuchi was established some 50-55 years back.
The centre has 6 brass metal production units and 25 artisans involved therein. They
produce sarai, japi, heta and spoon. Raw materials are collected from traders of Sarthebari
(Baniakuchi), Hajo or from Guwahati base traders.
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4.1.5. Hajo brass metal centre
Niz Hajo popularly known as Hajo is situated in Hajo Revenue Circle of Kamrup
district, Assam (Fig. 4.8). According to census report 2001, the centre has total population
13,473 accounting for 5.38 persons per household. Literacy rate of the centre is 71.04 per
cent (9571 persons). The percentage of working population is 24.78 per cent (3,339 persons).
Out of the total workforce, 14.62 and 11.29 per cents are engaged in marginal works and
household industries respectively.
Hajo is famous for its brass metal industry among the few pockets in the state. The
centre has 224 brass metal production units, where 367 artisans are involved. The artisans of
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the cluster have no alternative to their job, as they have no land for alternative like
agriculture. Lower level of literacy also restricts them from other alternative forms of
livelihood. The majority of workers have no working capital to run their production units.
Therefore, they work for the traders on wage basis. The Guwahati base and local traders
supplied the raw materials to the artisans and collect the finished products paying the
production charges on per kilogram basis, depending on the type and size of the products.
Some of the production units, though limited in numbers, used to collect raw materials from
their own capital and sale the products to traders, mahajans and customers.
The products manufactured in the centre are mostly traditional household and
religious utensils like kalah, sarai, kharahi, tou, thali, heta, spoon, jug, glass, dunari and
fancy items as phuldani, figures of animals, birds and human beings. The earnings of the
artisans of the centre depends upon the factors like supply of raw materials, traders artisans
link, market potentiality of products, rate of production as well as weather conditions as the
artisans generally do not have working shed with sufficient space to carryout production and
compel to rendered services in open space. The local traders collect raw materials from
Guwahati base traders and supplying the same to the production units to produce articles on
wage basis. Some of them collect raw materials from out side the state. Products of bell metal
are also brought from Sarthebari bell metal cluster for sale.
4.1.6. Guwahati bell and brass metal cluster
Guwahati is the capital city of Assam and act as gateway of North East India (Fig
4.8). The city is located in Kamrup district. It is an important centre of education, trade and
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commerce. Guwahati is a rapidly growing city. According to census report 2001, the
population of the city is 8, 08,021. The literacy level is 78 per cent. Trade and commerce,
transportation and services are the chief economic activities of the city. A small parts of
Guwahati’s economic activity is associated with manufacturing industries, print and
electronic media, tourism, business related to finance and real estate development.
Comparable to these economic activities, the bell and brass metal industries have very
negligible share. It has been already stated that some production units of bell metal industry
were seasonally shifted with their tools and equipments from Sarthebari area to different
places of Assam. Reportedly, the workers had settled at Kalbari, Maligaon, Fatasil Ambari,
Kumarpara and North Guwahati of Kamrup district and many other places of Upper part of
Assam (Patowari, 2009). At present, only two such production units have found at
Ganeshpara, during field investigation. These two units have seasonally shifted from village
Gomura of Sarthebari bell metal cluster. In these units eleven artisans are involved in the
process of production. Apart from these, other two traditional brass metal units are also
operational in the city. The production unit located at Uzan Bazaar area involves Muslim
Maria family and only two workers are engaged in the unit. While, the production unit of
Athgaon Bazaar thrives somehow by the efforts put in by a Bengali artisan. Apart from
these, two machines made brass metal industrial units that are also functioning in the cluster.
N. K. Production has established in 2005 at Ganeshpara locality of the Guwahati city. Now,
it has twenty-two workers. The unit collects raw materials from metal stores of Fancy Bazaar
area. The unit produces at an average 40 tonnes of brass metal articles per year after
consuming about 6 tonnes of coke. In the process of production, the workers use polishing,
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cutting and grinding machines. Sri Balaji Industries Limited is located at Fancy Bazaar area
of Guwahati and engages about 80 workers. This industry receives raw materials from
hawkers and collects from different parts of the country. The unit sales the machine made
household utensils and traditional products mainly coming from other producing cluster
through its sale counter. The industry is able to maintain a marketing network all over the
state. The field survey reveals that, apart from private sale centres, there are four Branch-
Cum-Sale office of ACBMUMSL of Sarthebari, located at Fancy Bazaar, Paltan Bazaar,
Ganeshguri and Durga Mandir (Dispur) locality of Guwahati city. These branches use to sale
bell metal products supplied by head office of ACBMUMSL, Sarthebari and brass metal
products collects from Sarthebari and Hajo centre. Some of the sale centres of Guwahati
cluster use to sale machine made products. However, the machine made products are cheaper
in comparison to traditional products. The difference of price between machine made and
traditional products varies from rupees 50 to 200 per kg.
4.1.7. Silchar brass metal centre
Silchar is one of the important urban centres in Barak Valley and headquarter of
Cachar district of Assam (Fig 4.9). It is situated on the left bank of the river Barak and to a
little north, the hills of North Cachar rise sharply from the plain. Silchar constituted a
municipality in 1893 (Bhattacharjee, 2008). The city is the gateway to the neighbouring state
of Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura. The city is considers as the second largest commercial
centre of Assam and has tremendous commercial importance for the state. Approximately, 90
per cent residents of Silchar are Sylhetis, the rest being Marwaris, Bishnupriya Manipuri,
Manipuri-Meiteis, and some tribal groups like Nagas. The Sylhetis settled here after
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migrating from Sylhet, a district of undivided India (now in Bangladesh) at the time of
partition of the nation in 1947. Over the past few years, the city is constantly witnessing a
huge influx of people from near by smaller places due to the city’s increasing prospects and
other development in the field of education, medical facilities and the more recently booming
real estate market and other commercial business, marketing the city over crowded.
The total population of the city is 1, 56,998 and literacy level is 77.24 %. Total
working population of the city is 29.41 per cent among which 8.1 per cent engaged as
marginal workers and 1.2 per cent engaged in household industries. The city has 8 brass
metal production units located at Radha Madhab and Sonai Road locality where 25 artisans
are involved. The number of brass metal artisan is very nominal in respect of total workers of
the city. These artisans of this industry came to Assam from Sylhet district of Bangladesh at
the time of partition and settled as pital karikar (craftsman) or silpi (artist). They produce
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kalah, gumla, lota etc. Production units receive raw materials directly from the hawkers.
Apart from the craft, the artisans are also engaged in other part time works in lean season.
4.1.8. Methadung brass metal centre
Methedung is located in Sibsagar Revenue Circle of Sibsagar district, Assam (Fig
4.10). The village has total population of 648 persons in 114 household. Literacy rate of the
village stands at 82.56 per cent. Out of its total population 46.61 per cent have engaged in
different economic activities. The workers engaged as marginal and household industries are
25.15 and 0.15 per cent respectively (2001census). The centre has 2 production units
operated by 7 artisans of brass metal sector.
4.1.9. Kakojan brass metal cluster
The village is situated in Demow Revenue Circle of Jorhat District, Assam (Fig 4.11).
The total population of the village is 488 and literacy rate is 77.05 per cent. Workforce
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constitutes 45.90 per cent of its total population. Among them, 60.27 and 14.28 per engaged
as marginal workers and household industries respectively. This minor brass metal pocket
has 6 production units involving 21 artisans.
4.2. CONTRIBUTION TO STATE’S INDUSTRIAL SECTOR
The development parameters of contemporary societies are framed mostly on
economic situation. Again, assessment of economic situation of a society is based on income
of the people, living standard, state of material culture, production system and products, role
of financial institutions and their mode of operation along with the role of administrative
institutions. The economy of the state of Assam is primarily agrarian by nature as majority of
its workforce has engaged in agriculture and allied activities i.e. 69 per cent according to
census report 2001.
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The state has one of the most fertile stretches of land in the Brahmaputra and Barak
valley in India, which is suitable for cultivation of wide variety of food and cash crops on
commercial basis. The principal food crop is rice and cash crops are jute, tea, coffee, cotton,
oilseeds and sugarcane. The state has an estimated 39. 44 lakh hectares gross cropped area,
off which net area sown is about 27.01 lakh hectares. The climatic condition favours the
growth of a variety of fruits, vegetables and spices including orange, banana, pineapple,
areca nut, coconut, guava, mango, jackfruit, citrus fruits, ginger, turmeric, chillies, potatoes,
garlic, etc. Assam is the largest producer of tea in India. The state accounts for nearly 53 per
cent of all India production and about 17 per cent of the world production. For better
marketing of tea produced in the north-eastern states, ‘The Guwahati Tea Auction Centre’
(GTAC) was established in 1970. This is the second largest centre in terms of total tea
auction. About 17 per cent of the total works force of the state engaged in tea industry.
The income and economy of a state mainly depends upon the development of
industrialisation process. The industrial scenario of Assam is, however, confined mainly
within the growth of employment oriented small-scale sector. In the arena of country’s
medium and large-scale industries, the state’s share is less than two per cent. The
contribution of manufacturing sector to the state’s economy was 9.3 per cent in 2008-09.
The state is rich in natural resources like oil and natural gas, coal, rubber; minerals
like granite, limestone along with forest and water resources. Assam has the oldest refinery in
the country that setup at Digboi. The state endowed with oil shale reserves, estimated at 137
billion tonnes. The state has significant reserve of low ash high sulphur coal. Assam also
accounts for one of the biggest pool of professional and skilled work force engaged in the oil
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and petroleum industry (Dhar, 2005). The declaration of the Brahmaputra as a natural water
way has facilitated transport of raw materials and project equipments for growth of the oil
sector. The exploitation of minerals in the state mainly comprises of petroleum, natural gas,
coal, limestone and other minor minerals.
Assam is one of the most beautiful states of our country. The natural landscape, rich
flora and fauna, lush green forests and wild life parks and sanctuaries offer a wide variety of
choice to the tastes of tourists. The state has known for her historical monuments, pilgrimage
spots, tea gardens and its mosaic of cultural festivals.
However, only the establishment of large scale industries cannot bring economic
prospect of a state like Assam, which suffers from transport bottleneck as well as market. In
this regard, small scale industries can act as an instrument to developed local initiative, local
raw materials, local workers, local finance, and local as well as regional needs. The small-
scale industries act as a complementary force to large industrial sector by supplying
components and intermediate products. In the economically backward state like Assam,
village and cottage industries have played an important role, though due attention is not yet
given to the sector. There is ample scope for development of these industries based on
resource and traditional skill available in the state. The development of these types of
industries have not only mobilise local resources but will also generate employment
opportunities and increase income. Village and cottage industries have great importance in an
agrarian economy like Assam. Rural agricultural families of the state are getting subsidiary
occupation from these industries. As these industries require minimum working capital,
simple tools and implements, rural families can easily run these industries.
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At the end of December 1995, Assam had 18,637 registered industrial units (units
registered under Directorate of Industries, Assam) and employed approximately 84 thousand
persons. The village and cottage industries include handloom weaving, carpentry, sericulture,
rope making, bell and brass metal, cane and bamboo work, gold and silver work etc. The
state is known for its arts and crafts, which are essentially associated with the cottage form
industries. The workers of bell and brass metal industries have been working with their
traditional skills and tools handed over to them by their ancestors and engaged in production
of high quality aesthetic products. At present, not less than ten thousand peoples (males
only), directly or indirectly engaged in these industries. They are basically involved in the
process of production, supplying raw materials and energy, collection, distribution and
selling of products. Some of them also keep touch with government departments and other
financial institutions in meeting financial liabilities and requirement of the sector. At the
same time, this sector offer opportunities to rural artisans to counter act seasonal under
employment in agriculture by making uses of labour that might have otherwise be remain
unutilised. Apart from it, the industrial units of this sector are quick yielding with relatively
short gestation period, which is very essential in a developing economy characterised with a
high inflationary tendency. There is a need for the planners and the policy makers to put
emphasis on these industries as a tool for economic growth of the state.
4.3 PROBLEMS OF PRODUCTION
The production process and the producers of the bell and brass metal sector suffers
from the problems viz. supply of raw material, energy, fiancé, market etc. The study of the
perceptions of the workers involved in 41 bell and 55 brass metal units indicated three major
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problems faced by the production units (Table 4.3 and 4.4). The irregular and insufficient
supply of raw materials, energy and finance are the main problems of
Table 4.3: Production problems of bell metal units
Sl.No. Name of the
place
Problems Units
surveyed R M W M F EN WS
1 Sarthebari Cl. 36 01 05 32 36 14 36
2 Ganeshpara 02 02 00 02 02 00 02
3 Western Assam 03 00 03 03 03 02 03
Total 41 3 8 37 41 16 41
P. C. to total 100.00 07.32 19.51 90.24 100.00 39.02 100.00
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Note: RM-raw materials, W-workers, M-marketing, F-finance, EN-energy and WS- work shed.
Table 4.4: Production problems of brass metal units
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Note: RM-raw materials, W-workers, Man-management M-marketing, F-finance, EN-energy and WS- work shed
production. All the production units, i.e. 100 per cent pointed out to the problems of
insufficient supply of raw materials and energy. Because of the non-availability of quality
raw materials, bell and brass metal artisans of Assam are using moulded raw materials or
scraps available in the local market. As a result, quality of products suffers. The owners of
garhsals are facing difficulty from irregular and insufficient supply of good quality raw
materials and energy. Shortage of raw materials and energy leads to increase of garhkhati (no
workday) of the artisans. Again, the price hike of charcoal and coke create problems to the
Sl.No. Name of the
place
Problems Units
surveyed RM W Man F M EN WS
1 Sarthebari Cl. 20 03 08 17 14 20 03 20
2 Hajo 22 00 02 22 00 22 11 22
3 Silchar 04 00 00 04 00 04 02 04
4 Guwahati 02 01 01 00 01 02 02 02
5 Mugkuchi 02 01 01 01 02 02 01 02
6 Barpeta Road 02 02 02 02 00 02 02 02
7 Western Assam 03 00 00 03 00 03 03 03
Total 55 07 14 49 17 55 24 55
P. C. to total 100.00 12.73 25.45 89.09 30.91 100.00 43.64 100.00
154
workers, as they have to bear the expenditure of energy from their making charge of the
products. Therefore, the income of the workers engaged in bell and brass metal industries
become lower against involvement, which made their financial conditions measurable.
Finance is another major problem of production units which is revealed by 90.24 and
89.09 per cent units of bell and brass metal industries respectively during the survey. Dearth
of working capital is a common problem of production units faced by the artisans while
producing articles, except a very few number of units, those who buy raw materials from
own capital. In fact, the artisans of these industries are financially weak and depend largely
on village moneylenders. The village moneylender’s charges high rate of interest that raises
the cost of production. Necessary funds have not at all made available to these rural artisans
by the recognised financial institutions as the recovery position is very poor. Again, the
formalities required for support from the financial institutions are generally beyond the
knowhow of the artisans. Therefore, the financial institutions too face problems in acting as
facilitators. Again, the loan sanctioned in the name of artisans encourage the needy co-
partners (bhaigas) to misuse the funds, as the responsibility for arrangement of tools,
equipments, raw materials ,energy and working shed remains upon the master artisans. So, it
is necessary to sanction the loan amount in the name of master artisans for the effective uses
of such support. Apart from it, due to short security position of the artisans, the amount of
loan sanctioned against them is also very negligible. The responsibility of the financial
institutions ends merely with the release of funds against the name of the listed artisans.
Marketing is another major aspect to be considered for any production system.
However, only 7 surveyed units of bell metal industry directly buy raw materials from their
155
own capital and 3 units partly buy raw materials from own capital. In case of brass metal
industry under investigation, 22 (40%) units procure raw materials from their own capital. In
Sarthebari cluster 18 out of 20 units and all the surveyed units of Mugkuchi and Guwahati
centres of brass metal industry buy raw materials directly. So, 60 per cent brass metal
production units have no direct relation with raw material procurement. On the other hand,
among the bell metal units 75.61 per cent (31) fully and 3 per cent partly have no
involvement with marketing of raw materials and finished products. Response to the
problem of marketing is 19.51 and 30.91 per cent respectively for the bell and brass metal
industrial units. Apart from this, the workers of the production units are not yet designed any
strategy to understand the nature of demand of their products. Therefore, they are producing
articles according to their preconceived idea, without considering the market potentiality and
changing priority of the clientele. For this reason, the traditional products gradually failed to
cater the demand of the potential markets, both inside and outside the state.
The problems related to the workers in the production are found to be very negligible
as reflected by the opinions of 07.32 and 12.73 per cent for bell and brass metal units
respectively. Though, the working environment of garhsal is found to be unhygienic and
congestive for the workers and lack in exhibiting spaces for their products, about 60 per cent
of workers have no feelings about such problem (plate-16). Only 39.02 and 43.64 per cent
units of bell and brass metal industrial units have expressed it as a problem. Even in Hajo
brass metal centre, most of the working units have limited places under work shed and they
have rendered services at open spaces (plate-18). They are bound to close their works during
rainy season. The government has so far established two ‘Common Facilities Service Centre’
156
(CFSC) to offer basic infrastructure at Sarthebari and Hajo for the development of cottage
and small scale industries. However, the centres have not yet functioning. The artisans of
traditional bell and brass metal industries are used to work in an unhygienic environment.
They are not conscious about the type of precaution measures to be taken to work in such
working environment. Therefore, they are affected by different diseases comparatively at
lower age. For example, due to inhalation of Carbon Die Oxide and Carbon Monoxide the
workers of bell and brass metal industries suffer from lung diseases (Bhattacharya, 2009).
The tools, equipments and method of production are traditional too. Out of 41 and 55
units of bell and brass metal units surveyed, only 05 (12.2%) and 08 (14.55%) have expresses
their willingness to accept modernise method of production to cope with the changing market
environment. Others remain reluctant to the problem and wishes to produce articles as their
ancestors did. This is one of the major causes of low output against high inputs along with
lack of product diversification. The conservative attitudes of the people connected to these
industries have also attributed by ignorance and illiteracy which stands in the way of
modernisation and expansion of bell and brass metal industries. However, modernisation of
these industries can accelerate the rate of production against comparatively at low production
cost. Therefore, both the bell and brass metal industries cannot keep pace with changing
market environment in terms of their inputs and outputs.
Lack of trained manpower equipped with modern production knowhow is standing as
obstacle in the process of production of bell and brass metal industries. As a result, artisans
still follows the traditional methods of production. The training facilities offered to artisans
of Sarthebari and Hajo cluster through different government and non-government agencies to
157
up-grade both bell and brass metal industries have reflected (Table 4.5). But in most cases,
the artisans failed to maintain the standard for the want of proper tools and equipments and
even some of them are not fit for applying advance method of production for their lower
level of literacy. Again, the promotional agencies have not taken any follow up measures
after imparting training. Therefore, efforts taken from different angles have failed to induce
momentum to modernise both the sector of the state to compete with the machine made
products coming from outside states.
Table 4.5: Training facilities to artisans of bell and brass metal industries
Sl No Name of the
place and
industry
Year Training Agency Place &
duration of
training
No of
artisan
Training Remarks
With
stipend
Without
stipend
1 Sarthebari, BM 1990 DI, Govt. of Assam
through NSIC Ltd.
Sarthebari
15 days
10 Rs 20/
day
----- Experience not
applied
2 Hajo, Br.M 1993-
94
NEITO, Artisans from
Moradabad, financed
by SIDBI
Hajo
4 months
30 Rs. 25/ ---- Do
3 Sarthebari,
BM
2004 NEDFi, through
German Engineer
Sarthebari
15 days
20 ---- No
stipend
Effective, but
not applied
4 Hajo, Br M 2004 Do Hajo
15 days
15 --- Do Do
5 Hajo. Br. M 2004 SBI, LHO through IIT,
Ghy
Hajo
2 months
30 --- Do Supplied tools
are not in use,
except-1 artisan
6 Sarthebari, BM 2005-
06
Ad-hoc Pacifist
Organisation
Hajo, 15 days 50 Rs100/
day
--- Experience not
applied
7 Hajo, Br. M 2007 MSME, through
MHSC,Moradabad
Moradabad
30 days
10 Rs 100/
day
---- Feels need, not
in use
Source: Field Survey 2008-09 and information from respective departments/ organizations
Nature of production is another aspect to be considered upon which the production
and productivity depend. To understand the functioning of the sector, every garhsals have
been considered as units (Table 4.6 and 4.7). The units which operate for ten or more months
in a year are considered as continuous working units. All other units operated for less than
ten months in a year are considered as seasonal units. Out of 41 bell metal units studied in
three different locations, 87.80 per cent are found to be continuous working units. But, in
158
case of brass metal units, the share of continuous and seasonal units are almost equal. The
nature of production system is largely depends upon the supply of raw materials and energy,
interest of traders and motives of workers. However, supply of raw materials and energy are
the main controlling factors of the nature of production. On the other hand, the quantum of
products is controlled by the nature of production. Workers have to face the financial
problems to maintain their respective family, especially those involved in seasonal
production units. They are bound to search other works for slack season. For example, the
workers of Hajo brass metal industry are compelled to go for door to door search of jobs. The
workers of Silchar brass metal centre are busy in small business like selling vegetables
during slack season. Other seasonal workers of bell and brass metal industries are involved in
agricultural practices, though small in numbers.
Table 4.6: Nature of production units of bell metal industry
Source: Field Survey 2008-09
Table 4.7: Nature of production units of brass metal industry
Source: Field Survey 2008-09
Sl. No. Name of the place Nature of production Units surveyed
Continuous Seasonal
1 Sarthebari Cl. 31 05 36
2 Ganeshpara 02 00 02
3 Western Assam 03 00 03
Total 36 05 41
P. C. to its total 87.80 12.20 100.00
Sl. No. Name of the place Nature of production Units surveyed
Continuous Seasonal
11 Sarthebari Cl. 17 03 20
2 Hajo 04 18 22 3 Silchar 00 04 04
4 Guwahati 02 00 02 5 Mugkuchi 02 00 02
6 Barpeta Road 00 02 02
7 Western Assam 03 00 03
Total 28 27 55
P. C. to its total 50.91 49.09 100.00
159
4.4. COST- BENEFIT ANALYSIS
In the present study an attempt has been made to analyse the cost and benefit of
workers engaged in bell and brass metal industries as well as the workers engaged in sale
centres of bell and brass metal products. Descriptive statistics and percentage expressions
thereof are considered here to find out the inherent fact associated with the sector (Table 4.8
and 4.9).
Table 4.8: Raw materials collection system by the production units of bell metal
Source: Field Survey 2008- 09
Table 4.9: Raw materials collection system by the production units of brass metal
Source: Field Survey 2008-09.
The production process of the units of bell and brass metals have found to be dominated
by the supplier of raw materials, as 75.61 per cent of bell and 60 per cent of brass metal units
receives raw materials from the suppliers against making charges. Therefore, there lies the
chance of deprivation of the artisans from the actual income. Only 17.07 per cent of bell and
40.00 per cent brass metals units have bought raw materials directly from their own capital
Sl.
No.
Name of the
place
System of raw material procurement No. of unit
surveyed From own capital For making charge Maintain both system
1 Sarthebari 07 26 03 36
2 Ganeshpara 00 02 00 02
3 Western Assam 00 03 00 03
Total 07 31 03 41
P.C. to total 17.07 75.61 07.32 100.00
Sl.
No.
Name of the
place
System of raw material procurement No. of unit
surveyed From own capital For making charge Maintain both system
1 Sarthebari Cl. 18 02 00 20 2 Hajo 00 22 00 22 3 Silchar 00 04 00 04 4 Guwahati 02 00 00 02 5 Mugkuchi 02 00 00 02 6 Barpeta Road 00 02 00 02 7 Western Assam 00 03 00 03
Total 22 33 00 55 P.C. to its total 40.00 60.00 00.00 100
160
and earning is more than that of first group of units. The predominance of use of money for
raw materials procurement in Sarthebari cluster for bell and brass metal industries are seen.
In case of brass metal industry under Sarthebari cluster, out of 20 units surveyed, 18 units i.e.
90.00 per cent have collected raw materials from their own capital. Out of total units
surveyed 3 units maintain both the system in bell metal industry. The above analysis clearly
indicates the shortage of finance of bell and brass metal units under operation.
Apart from this, the distribution pattern of income to master artisans and their co-
partners of unit in operation is also one of the important aspects of analysis. Different
systems of profit distribution prevail in bell and brass metal industries. Among them the
kanhar-bhaiga, salary, daily wage, equal share and per kilogram making systems (Table 4.10
and 4.11).
Table 4.10: Profit sharing systems of artisans of bell metal industry
Sl.
No.
Name of the
place
Distribution system of profit Units surveyed
Kanhar-bhaiga Salary Wage Per kg. making
1 Sarthebari Cl. 30 03 02 01 36
2 Ganeshpara 02 00 00 00 02
3 Western Assam 00 03 00 00 03
Total 32 06 02 01 41
P. C. to total 78.05 14.63 04.88 02.44 100.00
Source: Field Survey 2008-09
The study reveals that the predominance of kanhar-bhaiga (78.05%) system of profit
sharing among the artisans of bell metal is prominent and at the same time the salary
(38.18%) and daily wage (32.72%) systems are prominent in brass metal industries. Other
systems such as salary (14.63%), wage (04.88%) and per kilogram making charge systems
(2.44%) are also the prevailing system of profit sharing in bell metal production units. Again,
161
the kanhar-bhaiga (01.82%) and equal share (14.55%) systems of profit sharing occupies
less importance in brass metal production units. Out of total brass units under
Table 4.11: Profit sharing systems of artisans of brass metal industry
Sl.
No.
Name of the place Profit sharing system Units
surveyed Kanhar-
bhaiga
Salary Wage Equal-share No bhaiga
1 Sarthebari Cl 01 18 01 00 00 20
2 Hajo 00 00 12 04 06 22
3 Silchar 00 00 00 04 00 04
4 Guwahati 00 01 00 00 01 02
5 Mugkuchi 00 02 00 00 00 02
6 Barpeta Road 00 00 02 00 00 02
7 Western Assam 00 00 03 00 00 03
Total 01 21 18 08 07 55
P. C. to total 01.82 38.18 32.72 14.55 12.73 100.00
Source: Field Survey 2008-09
survey, 07 units i.e. 12.73% have no bhaiga (co-partner) system and thus they have no
system of income sharing.
The working hours of bell and brass metal industries also affects the process of
production. Generally the workers of bell metal devote more daily working hours. They work
at an average 11 to 14 hours during peak season and 08 to 11 hours in slack season. On the
other hand, the artisans of brass metal industry works for 09 to 11 hours in peak season and
07 to 10 hours in slack season. During the field investigation it has been found that the
production system of bell metal industry is more labour intensive than brass metal industry.
Raw materials have to be gone through different stages to produce the required sheets to
produce the finished products in bell metal industries. But, raw materials used in brass metal
industry are available in market in the form of sheets and circles. Therefore, the artisans of
bell metal industry have to devote more working hours than the brass metal artisans.
162
Cost benefit analysis considers the different aspects of costs, depending upon the
system of raw materials procurement. The master artisan have to bears the responsibilities of
collection of raw materials, energy and other materials need by the unit in the process of
production. Master artisans who have financial capability use to buy raw materials from their
own capital. Others, those who are not financially sound, borrow the raw materials from the
traders against making charge. The cost of energy, minor materials and management
expenditure of their respective garhsal has to bear by the kanhar or master artisans of the
production units. Production unit which are buying raw materials have to sale the products
through different agencies according choice and business benefit. The production units which
collect raw materials from suppliers have no relation of marketing the products. Following
few information have shown the cost of production, profit of the units, kanhars and bhaigas.
For the purpose, the five years averages (2003-04 to 2007-08) situations for each parameter
have been considered (Table 4.12).
The bell metal production units bears the cost of charcoal that used as energy, cost of
minor materials and daily garhsal expenditure. The garhsal management cost of production
unit is more, if the kanhar served midday meal to his bhaigas or co-partner. Apart from
these, the production units of bell metal shifted seasonally (for example the Ganeshpara unit
shifted from Sarthebari cluster), has bears the expenditure of house rent and also the daily
expenditure for food. Therefore, the cost of production for both the units is more in
comparison to other location of production in Assam (table 4.12). The average production
cost of each kilogram products at Ganeshpara centre is Rs. 43.70, against Rs. 36.67 at
Sarthebari and Rs. 31.30 in the production units of western Assam. The artisans have to
bear the higher cost of production for the production of decorative items like dofla
163
Table 4.12: Cost of bell metal production units (raw materials for making charge system)
Sl.
No
Name of the
place
Raw
material
received
Energy
used in
bag.
Cost of energy in Rs. Other cost
in Rs.
Total cost
in Rs.
Unit
cost in
Rs. Rate/b cost
1 Sarthebari Cl. 55919.702 14918.6 119.58 1783978.20 266689 2050667.20 36.67
2 Ganeshpara 7036.600 1672.4 124.44 208110.00 99392 307502.00 43.70
3 Western Ass. 3200.400 812.0 102.23 83009.00 17160 100169.00 31.30
Total 66156.702 17403.0 346.25 2075097.20 383241 2458338.20 111.67
Av. to each item. 03.801/b 0.263/kg 119.24/b 31.37/kg 05.79/kg 37.16/kg 37.16
Source: Field Survey 2008-09
kahi, bati and production of big size bowl, bota, ban bati etc. as they need more hour and
energy. The production units of bell metal industry uses at an average 0.263 bag of charcoal
for each kilogram of products. Inversely, it can be said that the artisans have produces at an
average 3.801 kilogram of products for each bag of charcoal. The average rate of energy
(charcoal) used by the production units is high (Rs. 124.44/bag) at Ganeshpara of greater
Guwahati. As against this, the artisans of Western Assam bell metal cluster paying the cost of
energy at an average rate of Rs. 102.23/bag. Though the production units of Sarthebari
cluster exhibits medium average (119.58/kg) cost of energy use in the process of production,
some of the production units are producing decorative articles at high cost of production. For
these units, the average energy consumption and production cost goes up.
Generally, the production units of bell metal industry have been receiving raw
materials from traders. Prior to the British period, the producers used to receive raw materials
from the customers and produce them against making charge. But at present, the increasing
rate of raw materials compels the artisans to receive raw materials from traders against
making charges. Out of 41 units surveyed 26 units fully and 03 units partly receive raw
materials from mahajans, local traders, co-operative society, hawkers and customers for
164
making charges. The production units of Ganeshpara and Western Assam have fully receives
raw materials from traders for making charge. The study indicates that at an average a bell
metal unit earns Rs. 1,50,915.08 annually. Similarly kanhar and bhaiga receive Rs.40,797.08
and 26,474.98 respectively, if raw materials are received against making charges. Again, the
production unit earns Rs. 77.56 at an average against each kilogram of product, if received
raw materials against making- charge.
Table 4.13: Profit of bell metal units and artisans (raw materials for making charge
system) Sl.
No
Name of the
place
No of artisan Raw
material
used in
kg.
Making charge
receives in Rs.
Cost of
production
Profit to
unit
Profit to
kanhar
in Rs.
Profit to
bhaiga
in Rs.
K B T Rate Total
1 Sarthebari Cl 29* 125 154 55919.702 116.81 6532080 2050667 4481413 1196099 3274034
2 Ganeshpara 02 09 11 7036.600 101.18 711955 307302 404653 100790 303863
3 Western Assam 03 07 10 3200.400 107.94 345456 100169 245287 90212 155075
Total 34
141 175 66156.702 325.93 7589491 2458138 5131353 1387101 3732972
Av. to each item 384.63/A
1945.785/
U
114.72 114.72 /kg 37.16/kg 77.56/kg
29322.02/A
150915.08/U
40797.08
/k
26474.98/b
Source: Field Survey 2008-09.
K- Kanhar, B-Bhaiga, T-Total, U-unit. * Includes three units partly receive raw materials for making charges
Excluding these units under discussion, 3 units partly bought raw materials from own
capital and produces articles (Table 4.14). They have no dearth of capital for buying raw
materials and expenditure to maintain their respective garhsals.
Table 4.14: Cost of bell metal production units (raw materials purchased from own capital)
Source: Field Survey 2008-09
Name of the
place
Cost of raw materials Cost of energy in Rs. Other
cost
Total cost
R M in kg. Rate in
Rs.
Total cost in
Rs.
CC used
in bag
Rate in
Rs.
Cost
Sarthebari Cl 9054.74 336.82 3051356 3530 122.04 430794 91267 3573417
Av. to total 02.57 kg/b ------ 336.99/kg 0.390/kg ---- 47.58/kg 10.08/kg 394.65/kg
165
The cost of production of articles includes the cost of raw materials, cost of energy
and other minor materials and garhsal management expenditure, if raw materials are
purchases from own capital. The average consumption of charcoal for each kilogram of
products is 0.390 bags as against 0.263 bags, in the groups of production units receives raw
materials for making charges. Inversely, the production units can produce 2.57 kilogram of
finished products using one bag charcoal against 3.801 kilogram for the units working under
making charge system. The total making cost (average value of five years) for each kilogram
of product is Rs. 394.66. The five years average benefits to these units have shown in the
following table 4.15.
Table 4.15: Profit of bell metal units and artisans (raw materials procured from own capital)
Name of
the place
No of
artisan
Raw
material
used in kg.
Products
sale in kg
Sale of
products
in Rs.
Cost of
production
in Rs.
Profit to
unit in Rs.
Profit to
kanhar in
Rs.
Profit to
bhaiga in
Rs.
K B T
Sarthebari
10 40 50 9054.74 8955.464 5522798 3573417 1949381 53095.40 1418427
Av. to total 181.09/A 179.11/A 616.69/kg 394.65/kg 217.67/kg
38987.62/
A
53095.40
/K
35460.67
/B
Source: Field Survey 2008-09 K-Kanhar (master artisan), B-Bhaiga (co-partner), T-Total, A-Artisan
The study reveals that the production units have able to received higher benefit, if
procure raw materials from own capital as against the units engaged in production from the
raw materials acquired from other sources. The five years average profit received by each
artisans of the group of production units that buy raw materials from own capital stands at
Rs. 38987.62 against Rs. 29322.02 for the groups of artisans of production units received raw
materials from traders (during the study period from 2003-04 to 2007-08). As a result, the
profit of kanhars and bhaigas are more for the second groups of artisans. The inherent fact is
that the second group of units as well as the artisans are able to get more profit than the first
166
group as they buy raw materials from their own capital and able to receive maximum benefit.
They are selling the products to the traders by a minimum margin to sell price. Again, the
production units who are buying raw materials directly try to produce best quality products.
These products are able to cater the need of the market at reasonably high value. Therefore,
the profit earn by them is higher than the first group artisans.
On the other hand the scenario of cost and benefit of operational units and artisans of
the brass metal industry is some what different from that of bell metal industry (Table 4.16).
The cost of production incurred by the units under study indicates the average cost of
production for the period 2003-04 to 2007-08.
Table 4.16: Cost of brass metal production units (raw materials for making charge system)
Sl
No.
Name of the place Production
in kg.
Cost of energy in Rs. Other cost Total
cost
Unit
cost
Rs/kg Energy supplied
(in tin)
Rate/tin Cost in Rs.
C CC C CC C CC T
1 Sarthebari Cl 2054.60 293.2 34.0 31 9.2 9042 308 9350 10936 20286 9.87
2 Hajo 20208.29 2887.0 307.0 31 8.93 87352 2685 90437 99400 189437 9.37
3 Silchar 2638.00 477.0 26.4 26.4 9.2 12125 229 12354 11282 23636 8.98
4 Barpeta Road 2205.80 312.2 34.4 26.4 8.8 8279 305 8584 10940 19524 8.85
5 Western Assam 2820.40 400.8 16.2 26.4 8.8 10455 275 10729 15140 25870 9.17
Total 29927.09 4370.2 418.0 141.2 44.93 127253 3802 131055 147698 278753 46.24
Av. to total 6.81/tin C
70.63/tinCC
.147/kg .014/kg --- --- 28.95
/tin
8.97
/tin
4.38/kg 4.94/kg 9.32/kg 9.32/kg
Source: Field Survey 2008-09. C-Coke, CC-Charcoal, T-Total
The production units received raw materials from traders in a condition that the
finished products must return to their respective suppliers and made the cost of production
from their end. Again, the production units receive 30 gram of additional raw materials for
each kilogram of products which are locally called mulmora. The average use of energy in
167
brass metal industry is very less in comparison to bell metal industry as the raw materials
used in the industry is ready for production in the form of sheet or circle. The main energy
source to this industry is coke. A very little amount of charcoal is used by the production
units to start fire in their forges. Cost of energy, minor materials and other garhsal
management expenditure are counted as cost of production which is to be bear by the units.
Average cost of coke is Rs. 28.95/tin and for charcoal Rs. 8.97/tin. At an average, the
production cost for energy is Rs. 4.38 and Rs. 4.94 for each kilogram of product. Therefore,
the cost of production for each kilogram of product is Rs. 9.32. Based on this calculation, the
profit of units and artisans under process of production has shown in the following table 4.17.
It is found that the production units, those receive raw materials from traders, profit is
associated with the making charge they received. Out of total 55 surveyed
Table 4.17: Profit of brass metal units and artisans (raw materials received for making charge)
Sl
No.
Name of
the place
No. of artisans Production
in kg.
Making charge
received in Rs.
Production
cost
Profit to
unit
Profit to
kanhar
Profit
to
bhaiga
K B TA Rate Total
1 Sarthebari
Cl.
02 03 05 2054.60 75.53 155186 20286 134900 67723 67177
2 Hajo 22 30 52 20208.29 61.35 1239685 189437 1050248 547010 503238
3 Silchar 04 03 07 2630.80 45.96 120910 23636 97274 55724 41550
4 Barpeta
Road
02 04 06 2205.80 70.02 155272 19524 135748 59752 75996
5 Western
Assam
03 04 07 2820.40 76.36 215379 25870 189509 99170 90339
Total 33 44 77 29919.89 ------ 1886432 278753 1607679 829379 778300
Av. to total 2.33
/unit
388.57/A 63.05 63.05/kg 9.32/kg 20879/A
53.73/kg
25133 /K 17689 /B
Source: Field Survey 2008-09 K-Kanhar, B-Bhaiga, TA-Total Artisans
units 33 units i.e. 60 per cent are belongs to this groups. In Hajo, Silchar, Barpeta Road and
Western Assam brass metal industrial centres, all units under study belongs to this group. On
the other hand, only 02 units from Sarthebari cluster produced brass metal products under
168
this group. All the units engaged in this group able to produce 29919.89 kilogram finished
product annually and the average production per artisans stands at 388.57 kilogram. Yearly
average profit of each artisan was found to be Rs. 20,878.95. As against this, the yearly
average to each kanhar and bhaiga was Rs. 25,132.70 and Rs. 17,688.64 respectively. Other
22 units under study have collected raw materials from their own capital and are selling
products to different sources. As a result, the income expenditure status of units and artisans
of this group is different from the units of first group (Table 4. 18 and 4.19).
Table 4.18: Cost of brass metal production units (collects raw materials from own capital)
Source: Field Survey 2008-09
Note: C-Coke, CC-Charcoal, K-Kanhar, B-Bhaiga, T-Total
Table 4.19: Profit of brass metal units and artisans (collects raw material from own capital)
Source: Field Survey 2008-09
Sl
No.
Name of the
place
Raw
material
used
Cost of raw
material
Cost of energy Other
cost
Total
cost Energy used Rate of energy Cost of energy in Rs.
Rate Total C CC C CC C CC T
1 Sarthebari
Cl
32854.4 238.79 7845351 4713.8 349.6 28.7 8.4 135282 2952 138234 314817 8298402
2 Guwahati 1243.4 235.95 293378 177.6 32.4 26.5 8.8 4709 286 4995 14140 312513
3 Mugkuchi 2487.6 253.78 631310 355.2 42.8 30.9 9.4 10992 404 11396 20011 662817
Total 36585.4 728.52 8770039 5246.6 424.8 86.1 26.6 150983 3642 154625 348968 9273632
Av. to total 402.04
kg /A
239.71
/kg
239.71
/kg
.143/kg .012 /kg 28.78
/tin
8.57 /tin 28.78
/tin
8.57
/tin
4.23/kg 9.54/kg 253.48
/kg
Sl.
No.
Name of the
place
No. of
artisan
Production
in kg.
Products sale in
Rs.
Production
cost
Profit of
units
Profit of
kanhars
Profit of
bhaigas Rate Total
K B T 1 SarthebariCl 18 61 79 32854.4 309.02 10152503 8298402 1854101 689573 1164528
2 Guwahati 02 01 03 1243.4 327.36 407039 312513 94526 72674 21852
3 Mugkuchi. 02 07 09 2487.6 349.00 868186 662717 205469 95189 110280
Total 22 69 91 36585.4 985.38 11427728 9273632 2154096 857436 1296660
Av. to total 402.04 /A 312.36
/kg
312.36/kg 253.48/kg 23671/A
58.88/kg
38974/K 18792/B
169
In the group mentioned above, 91 artisans engaged in the process of production in 22
units. Each artisan involves in the process to produce 402.04 kilogram finished products
annually. All total, they have to spend an amount of Rs. 8,770,035 at the average rate of Rs.
233.71/kg for the production of 36585.4 kilogram brass metal articles. The average cost of
production stands at Rs. 253.48/kg, including the cost of raw materials, energy, minor
materials, other expenditure made by the units.
Attempt has also been made to assess the profit of the production units, kanhars and
bhaigas involved in brass metal industry. Five years average rate of production has been
considered to assess average turnover. Again, the yearly average production of each artisan
has also computed based on total production of units and the number of artisans involved
therein. At an average, each artisan can able to produce 402.04 kilogram finished products
annually. The production units able to earn Rs. 58.88 for each kilogram of products after
deduction of production cost Rs. 312.36. The total amount earned by all units under study
stands at Rs. 2154096. The average amount earned by each artisan stands at Rs. 23,671,
which was higher by Rs. 2,792 than the brass metal artisan engaged in production against
making charge. Again, the kanhars of this group of production centres had able to earn an
average amount of Rs. 38,974 which is higher by Rs. 13,841 to the group workers on making
charge basis. But, the bhaigas (co-partner) of this group able to earn only Rs. 18,792, which
is Rs. 1103 higher than the other brass metal group studied. The income of bhaigas was very
less in comparison to the income of kanhars. This is because of the fact that the kanhars
collects raw materials from own capital and takes more share of the profit. They offer salary
or wage to their bhaigas.
170
To have an idea about the profit received by kanhars and bhaigas, an attempt has
been made to classify them according to profit earned by them in both the bell and brass
metal industries of Assam. The income of kanhars and bhaigas of bell and brass metal
industries have analysed separately for having a comparative picture (Table 4.20 to 4.23).
Table 4.20: Classification of kanhars in bell metal industry (based on 5 years average income)
Source: Field Survey 2008-09
Table 4.21: Classification of kanhars in brass metal industry (based on 5 years average income)
Source: Field Survey 2008-09
The kanhars of bell metal industry earned more profit than that of brass metal
industry. Maximum number of kanhars in bell metal industry belongs to the earning groups
of 40,000-50,000 and 50,000-60,000 representing 35.58 and 26.83 percent of kanhars
Sl. No Name of the place No. of kanhar in each income groups (income in thousand Rs.) Total No.
of
kanhars Very Low
‹30
Low
30-40
Medium
40-50
High
50-60
Very High
›60
1 Sarthebari Cluster 01 06 15 09 05 36
2 Ganeshpara 00 00 00 02 00 02
3 Western Assam 02 01 00 00 00 03
Total 03 07 15 11 05 41
P.C. to total 07.33 17.07 36.58 26.83 12.19 100.00
Sl. No Name of the place No. of kanhar in each income groups (thousand Rs.) Total No.
of
Kahnars Very Low
‹ 20
Low
20-30
Medium
30-40
High
40-50
Very High
›50
1 Sarthebari Cl. 00 05 06 08 01 20
2 Hajo 01 17 04 00 00 22
3 Silchar 04 00 00 00 00 04
4 Guwahati 00 00 01 01 00 02
5 Mugkuchi 00 01 00 00 01 02
6 Barpeta Road 00 01 01 00 00 02
7 Western Assam 00 00 03 00 00 03
Total 05 24 15 09 02 55
P.C. to total 9.09 43.64 27.27 16.36 03.64 100.00
171
respectively. However, the maximum number of kanhars of brass metal industry belongs to
the income groups of 20,000-30,000 and 30,000-40,000 and representing 43.64 and 27.27 per
cent of kanhars. The 12.19 per cent kanhars of bell metal industry are able to earn more than
60,000 annually. In case of brass metal industry, only 2 kanhars out of 55 are able to receive
more than 50,000 annually.
Table 4.22: Classification of bhaigas in bell metal industry (based on 5 years average income)
Source: Field Survey 2008-09.
Table 4.23: Classification of bhaigas in brass metal industry (based on 5 years average income)
Source: Field Survey 2008-09
The bhaigas of bell metal industry belongs to low (20,000-30,000) and medium
income (30,000-40,000) groups representing 35.50 and 36.58 per cent respectively. At the
same time, the maximum bhaigas of brass metal industry belongs to the low (15,000-20,000)
and medium income groups (20,000-30,000), representing 46.02 and 24.78 per cent
Sl.
No
Name of the place No. of bhaigas in each income groups (thousand Rs.) Total No.
of bhaigas Very Low
‹20
Low
20-30
Medium
30-40
High
40-50
Very High
›50
1 Sarthebari Cluster 16 53 64 16 04 153
2 Ganeshpara 00 00 09 00 00 09
3 Western Assam 00 07 00 00 00 07
Total 16 60 73 16 04 169
P.C. to total 09.47 35.50 36.58 09.47 02.37 100.00
Sl. No Name of the place No. of bhaigas in each income groups (thousand Rs.) No. of
bhaigas Very Low
‹ 15
Low
15-20
Medium
20-25
High
25-30
Very High
›30
1 Sarthebari Cl. 08 27 19 06 04 64
2 Hajo 09 17 04 00 00 30
3 Silchar 01 02 00 00 00 03
4 Guwahati 00 00 01 00 00 01
5 Mugkuchi 03 04 00 00 01 07
6 Barpeta Road 00 02 02 00 00 04
7 Western Assam 00 00 02 02 00 04
Total 21 52 28 08 05 113
P.C. to total 18.58 46.02 24.78 07.08 03.54 100.00
172
respectively. The highest income group (Rs.›50000) in case of bell metal industry represents
merely 02.37 per cent. Again, in case of brass metal industry the bhaigas of highest income
group (Rs.›30000) represent only 03.54 per cent. However, that the bhaigas of bell metal
industry have able to earn more profit than that of brass metal industry.
Depending upon the yearly income expenditure of families related to bell and brass
metal industries an attempt has been made to understand their economic status. The financial
year 2007-08 has been considered to analyse the situation. The families are divided into three
groups based on their annual income (table 4.24). The first group has been regarded as
families having surplus income. Out of total families under study, 117 i.e. 61.54 per cent
families falls in this group. However, 72 families, i.e. 41.38 per cent families have surplus
economic position and 45 families of this group i.e. 25.86 per cent families have surplus
income after addition of income from other sources. Otherwise, these 45 families have
included either balance income group or group in debt. Secondly, 23 families have balance
economic position. Here, we use the word balance to denote the families’ economic position
within the range of ± Rs. 2000. A total of 06 families have balance economic position after
income added from other sources. If not so, these 06 nos. or 03.45 per cent families have
economic position of ‘debt group’. The last group of families involve in debt. In this group,
34 families have shown deficit economic position, where 11 families i.e. 06.32 per cent have
involve in debt after addition of income from other sources. Though the number of families
in this group is less, there is a possibility of increase in their number. Attempt has also been
made to classify the families related to brass metal artisans in terms of their earnings for the
year 2007-08 (Table 4.25). In this classification, a total number of 98 families i.e. 65.34 per
173
Table 4.24: Economic position of bell metal artisan families
S
l. N
o.
Nam
e o
f th
e p
lace
No. of families in each economic class
To
tal
l N
o.
of
fam
ilie
s
Families having surplus
income
Families having balance
income
Families in debt
Fam
ily
in
com
e as
bel
l
met
al
arti
san
on
ly
Oth
er i
nco
me
add
ed
to
bel
l m
etal
arti
san
s fa
mil
ies
To
tal
Inco
me
surp
lus
wit
hin
Rs.
20
00
Inco
me
def
icit
wit
hin
Rs.
20
00
To
tal
Fam
ily
in
com
e as
bel
l
met
al
arti
san
on
ly
Oth
er i
nco
me
add
ed t
o
bel
l m
etal
art
isan
s
fam
ilie
s
To
tal
1 Sarthebari Cl. 62 39 101 17 05 22 21 09 30 153
2 Ganeshpara 09 00 09 00 00 00 02 00 02 11
3 Western Ass. 01 06 07 00 01 01 00 02 02 10
Total 72 45 117 17 06 23 23 11 34 174
P. C. to individual
total and grand total
61.54
41.38
38.46
25.86
100.00
67.24 73,91
09.77
26.09
03.45
100.00
13.22 67.65
13.22
32.35
06.32
100.00
19.54 ----
100.00
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09,
cent are found to be in a surplus financial position. However, 58 families of this group
enjoyed surplus economic position while additional income from other sources is also
The next group, i.e. the balance income group covers 19.33 per cent (29 families) to total
considered. Otherwise, their position has to gone to balance group or group involve in debt.
families under study. Out of 29, 10 and 19 families have been placed under this group as
surplus and deficit income respectively after addition of income from other sources like
services, agricultural activities, daily wage etc. The last group belongs to the group suffered
from debt representing 23 families i.e. 15.33 per cent. The above analysis shows that the
economic condition of families related to brass metal industry is somewhat bad in
comparison to family related to bell metal industry. Again, the balance and debt group
represents 32.76 and 34.66 per cent families respectively have thrived somehow. They have
174
monetary liabilities either to village money lenders, relatives or to institutional credit from
banks and co-operative society.
Table 4.25: Economic position of brass metal artisan families
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
The temporal change of financial position of the production units was also an area of
investigation of this work. Response from the units regarding their changing financial
positions is gathered based on their perception for last 10 years. Attempt has been made to
summarise the responses from bell and brass metal artisans to have a comparative picture
between these sectors (Table 4.26 and 4.27). It has seen that in both the cases, the trend of
changes is towards worse economic position. All together 43.90 per cent bell metal units and
41.82 per cent brass metal units stated the financial position has been gradually worsening.
However, 36.59 per cent of bell metal units rated the economic changes towards a better
Sl.
No
.
Nam
e o
f th
e p
lace
No. of families in each economic class
To
tal
No
. o
f fa
mil
ies
Families having surplus
income
Families having balance
income
Families involved in
debt
Inco
me
as b
rass
m
etal
arti
san
on
ly
Oth
er i
nco
me
add
ed
to b
rass
met
al a
rtis
ans
To
tal
Inco
me
surp
lus
w
ith
in
Rs.
20
00
In
com
e d
efic
it
wit
hin
Rs.
20
00 T
ota
l
Inco
me
as b
ell
m
etal
arti
san
on
ly
Oth
er i
nco
me
add
ed t
o
bel
l m
etal
art
isan
s
To
tal
1 Sarthebari Cl. 25 26 51 06 06 12 05 06 11 74
2 Hajo 12 13 25 02 13 15 01 09 10 50
3 Silchar 00 06 06 00 00 00 00 00 00 06
4 Guwahati 01 01 02 00 00 00 00 00 00 02
5 Mugkuchi 02 03 05 00 00 00 00 00 00 05
6 Barpeta Road 00 04 04 01 00 01 01 00 01 06
7 Western Ass. 00 05 05 01 00 01 01 00 01 07
Total 40 58 98 10 19 29 08 15 23 150
P.C. to individual
total and grand total
40.82
26.67
59.18
38.67
100.00
65.34 34.48
06.67
65.52
12.66
100.00
19.33 34.78
05.33
65.22
10.00
100.00
15.33 ----
100.00
175
state, while 19.51 per cent have perceived no change and remained in almost same position.
On the other hand, the 29.09 per cent production units of brass metal have rated the change
better position and 29.09 per cent of units viewed it as static. Bell metal production units
under study have better poison of change than that of brass metal production units.
Apart from these traditional production units, a machine made unit of brass metal
industry located at Ganeshpara locality of Guwahati cluster has studied. The cost benefit
analysis of the unit for the year 2007-08 has also studied to understand the advantages of
Table 4.26: Change of financial position of bell metal units in last 10 years
Sl. No. Name of the place Change of financial position of the units No. of unit
surveyed Better Worse Remained same
1 Sarthebari Cl. 13 15 08 36
2 Ganeshpara 02 00 00 02
3 Western Assam 00 03 00 03
Total 15 18 08 41
P.C. to total 36.59 43.90 19.51 100.00
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Table 4.27: Change of financial position of brass metal units in last 10 years
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Sl. No. Name of the place Change of financial position of the units No. of unit
surveyed Better Worse Remained same
1 Sarthebari Cluster 07 10 03 20
2 Hajo 05 11 06 22
3 Silchar 00 01 03 04
4 Guwahati 00 00 02 02
5 Mugkuchi 01 01 00 02
6 Barpeta Road 01 00 01 02
7 Western Assam 02 00 01 03
Total 16 23 16 55
P.C. to total 29.09 41.82 29.09 100.00
176
mechanised process of production (Table 4.28). It has been observed that the mechanized
unit owner able to engaged 22 workers to use polish machine for the smooth function of
polishing, cutting and grinding. At the same time, the unit receive annually an amount of
rupees 4, 06,900 as benefit, which is much higher than the benefit of a traditional unit.
Therefore, it is hoped that the smithy owner of bell and brass metal traditional production
units be realised the situation of changing economic status of their respective units, if able to
accept modernise system of production.
Table 4.28: Cost of production, marketing of products and benefit of brass metal
production unit involve in the mechanised process of production
Yea
r
Raw material status Energy status (coke) Other cost of production
Gra
nd
tota
l co
st
of
pro
du
ctio
n
Am
ou
nt
in k
g
Rat
e in
R
s /k
g
Co
st o
f R
M
Am
ou
nt
use
d
in k
g
Rat
e in
R
s/k
g.
Co
st o
f e
ner
gy
(co
ke)
Ele
ctri
city
Tra
nsp
ort
atio
n
Fo
od
ing
and
load
ing
Oth
ers
To
tal
20
07-
08
40
,000
300
1,2
0,0
0,0
00
6,0
00
16
96
,000
42
,000
3,6
0,0
00
2,4
0,0
00
60
,000
7,0
2,0
00
1,2
7,9
8,0
00
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
To understand the economy associated with bell and brass metal sector, along with
the units of production, it is necessary to highlight the different aspects of sale centres
involved in marketing of the outputs of the sector. A total of 15 sale centres has studied from
different parts of the state and only one of them is from neighbouring country Bhutan, which
is associated with business of bell metal products from Sarthebari cluster. The information
Marketing of products Total cost of
production
Net profit Salary paid Net profit of the
unit owner Products sale
in kg.
Rate /kg Total Sale in Rs.
38,800 410 1,59,08,000 1,27,98,000 14,62,900 10,56,000 4,06,900
177
collects from the field have been summarized to show the yearly situation based on average
of five year (Annexure-I to III) from 2003-2008 (Table 4.29 to 4.32). Benefit of sale centres
and benefit of sale centre owners has been counted after deduction of salary of the workers
engaged in those centres.
The sale centres of bell and brass metal products have possibilities to sale products
coming from different production units and also to sale the raw materials and energy for both
the bell and brass metal units. They may sale products from those production units, for which
centres supply raw materials. Among the sale centers under investigation 5 sale centers deal
with bell products and 8 brass products. There remain some sale centres that do not supply
raw materials either bell or brass metal to the production units and focus mainly on
marketing the finished products. There involves 6 such type of sale centres of bell and brass
metal products. The third group of sale centres use to sell machine made products, specially
coming from outside the state. Out of 15 units, two centres (Sl. No. 4 and 5) sale machine
made bell and brass metal products. The fourth and last group of sale
Table 4.29 (A): Cost, making and marketing of bell metal products (when sale centre supply
raw materials to production units)
No. Sale centre Cost of raw materials (RM) in Rs Raw materials supplied to units in kg. Balance of RM
to next year RM buys
in kg.
Rate
Rs/kg
Cost of
RM
Balance
RM
Total
RM
RM
supplied
1 ACBMUMSL,
Sarthebari
32079.274 327.090 10489923 1263.296 33342.570 32048.945 1293.625
2 Deka Metal Store,
Sarthebari
4395.000 333.45 1465500 307.000 4702.00 4435.000 267.000
5 Talukdar Metal
Stores, Tihu
3217.800 342.27 1101353 402.345 3620.145 3250.500 369.645
14 Karmakar Metal
House, Bilasipara
1936.600 323.94 627338 306.920 2243.520 1957.280 286.240
15 Mirdha Basanalaya,
Sapatgram
1956.800 328.04 641904 204.800 2161.600 1961.600 200.000
Total 43585.474 328.69 14326018 2484.361 46069.835 43653.325 2416.510
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
178
Table 4.29 (B): Making charge paid, marketing and balance of bell metal products to next year
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Table 4.30 (A): Cost, making and marketing of brass metal products (when sale centre
supply raw materials to production units)
No
Production
in kg.
Making charge paid
in Rs
Previous
Year
Balance of
products
Total
products
Marketing of products Balance
products
for next
year Rate
Total Products
sale
Rate in
Rs
Total sale
in Rs.
1 31087.478 117.44 3650817 7930.492 39017-970 32752.464 512.58 16788245 6265.506
2 4301.950 134.87 580202 234.482 4536.432 4263.800 516.56 2202492 272.632
5 3191.785 124.32 391986 326.560 3518.345 3121.000 535.02 1669788 397.345
14 1839.842 108.13 198933 216.660 2056.502 1823.110 537.64 980071 233.392
15 1843.900 108.20 199501 184.512 2028.416 1842.246 544.44 1002984 186.416
Total: 42226.155 118.92 5021439 8892.706 51157.665 43802.374 517.05 22648146 7355.291
No. Sale centre Cost of raw materials (RM) in Rs. Raw materials supplied to units in kg. Balance
of RM to
next year RM buys
in kg.
Rate
Rs/kg
Cost of
RM
Balance
RM
Total RM RM
Supplied Sold
3 Deka Metal Store,
Kamarpara
6745.800 217.50 1467666 327.500 7073.300 3345.000 3452.8 275.500
6 Rajib Ali, Hajo 6411.460 215.47 1381508 186.300 6597.760 6396.150 --- 153.100
7 Maheswar pital sale
centre, Hajo
3672.200 213.97 785727 304.245 3976.445 3721.000 --- 255.445
8 Kartik Das, Hajo 3431.800 212.98 730909 167.250 3599.050 3381.800 --- 217.250
10 Bhakta Brinda
Basanalaya, Barpeta
Road
4198.600 222.97 936158 180.480 4379.080 4212.378 --- 147.702
11 Jintu Juri sale centre 8380.340 217.62 1823721 419.320 8799.660 8230.000 --- 569.660
14 Karmakar Metal
House,Bilasipara
1691.800 170.14 287838 235.560 1927.360 1676.800 --- 250.560
15 MirdhaBasanalaya
Spatgram
1898.200 172.56 327550 286.820 2185.020 1887.620 --- 297.400
Total 36430.2 212.49 7741077 2107.475 38537.675 32850.748 3452.8 2166.617
179
Table 4.30 (B): Making charge paid, marketing and balance of brass metal products to next year
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Table 4.31: Purchase and marketing of indigenous traditional bell and brass metal products
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Note: PP-product purchase, RP-rate of purchase, TC- total cost, BP-balance product , TP-total product
Sl. No
Production
in kg.
Making charge
paid in Rs
Balance
of
products
Total
products
Marketing of products Balance of
products
to next
year Rate
Total Products
sale
Rate
in Rs
Total sale
in Rs.
3 3242.800 61.14 198251 133.900 3376.700 3251.658 307.61 1000244 125.042
6 6232.760 56.28 350803 444.125 6676.885 6270.628 300.04 1944163 406.257
7 3609.370 55.78 198696 254.270 3863.770 3562.000 301.22 1072959 301.770
8 3280.500 55.85 183228 217.650 3498.150 3258.776 312.70 1019028 239.374
10 4086.007 61.34 250644 147.321 4233.328 4155.680 319.80 1328981 77.648
11 7983.100 61.08 487746 358.760 8341.760 8263.400 300.92 2486610 78.360
14 1576.200 76.40 120422 291.376 1867.572 1590.860 325.34 517569 276.712
15 1774.340 76.72 136141 208.660 1983.000 1761.852 327.94 577777 221.144
Total: 31785.077 60.71 1925931 2056.062 33841.165 32114.854 309.96 9947331 1726.307
Sl
No
Name of sale centre Products purchase in kilograms and cost of products in Rs.
Bell metal products purchase in Rs /kg. Brass metal products purchase in Rs. /kg size
PP RP TC BP TP PP RP TC BP TP
1 ACBMUMSL,
Sarthebari
--- --- --- --- --- 42706.21 292.06 12472993 7148.22 49854.43
2 Deka Metal Store,
Sarthebari
--- --- --- --- --- 1586.00 294.37 466872 148.25 1734.25
4 Toshi Lama,, Bhutan 195.1 606.15 118260 25.50 220.6 --- --- --- --- ---
5 Talukdar Metal Stores,
Tihu
--- ---- ---- ---- --- 1271.40 291.31 370372 412.35 1683.75
7 Maheswar Store, Hajo 890.4 488.94 435353 215.9 1106.3 --- --- --- --- ---
8 Das Metal House, Hajo 1924.8 510.61 982830 171.44 2096.3 ---- --- --- --- ----
9 BhuyanMetal House,
Jorhat
2794.8 503.88 1408232 264.00 3058.8 1437.80 275.04 395454 172.50 1610.30
10 Bhaktabrinda
Basanalaya, Barpeta
Road
2330.2 525.48 1224706 151.85 2482.1 ---- ---- ---- ---- -----
11 Jintu Juri Sale Centre
,Hajo
2005.8 511.29 1025533 190.46 2196.2 --- --- --- --- ---
12 Banik Metal House,
Silchar
---- ---- ----- ---- ---- 409.20 282.98 115796 134.34 543.54
13 Bhagya Lakshimi
Metal House, Silchar
---- ---- ---- --- --- 639.40 271.26 173442 190.45 829.85
Total 10141.1 512.26 5194914 1019.15 11160.3 48050.01 291.26 13994929 8206.11 56256.12
180
Table 4.32: Indigenous bell and brass metal products, their sale and balance
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Table 4.33: Purchase and marketing of machine made bell and brass metal products
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Sl No Bell metal products sale and balance Brass metal products sale and balance
Total
products
Product
Sale
Rate in
Rs/kg
Sale in
Rs
Balance
products
Total
products
Products
Sale
Rate in
Rs/kg
Sale in
Rs
Balance
products
1 ---- ---- ---- ----- ---- 49854.43 42401.683 316.18 13406900 7452.747
2 ---- 1734.25 1589.749 321.48 511080 144.501
4 220.6 192.739 1261.39 243120 27.861 --- ---- ---- ----- ----
5 --- ---- ---- ----- ---- 1683.75 1277.000 323.15 412665 406.750
7 1106.3 871.600 539.92 470593 234.700 --- --- --- --- ---
8 2096.3 1931.854 560.24 1082295 164.290 --- --- --- --- ---
9 3058.8 2807.000 568.77 1596550 251.800 1610.30 1441.200 319.31 460188 169.100
10 2482.1 2354.538 570.46 1343168 127.514 --- ---- --- ---- ----
11 2196.2 2022.480 561.52 1135672 173.740 --- --- --- --- ---
12 --- ---- ---- ---- ---- 543.54 396.600 312.33 123870 146.940
13 --- ---- ---- ----- ---- 829.85 634.200 301.60 191275 195.650
Total 11160.3 10180.211 576.75 5871398 979.905 56256.12 47740.432 316.42 15105978 8515.688
Sl
No.
Name of Sale centre Products purchase in kilograms and cost of products in Rs.
Bell metal products purchase in Rs. /kg. Brass metal products purchase in Rs. /kg size
PP RP TC BP TP PP RP TC BP TP
05 Talukdar Metal Stores, Tihu ---- --- --- --- --- 0336.6 200.72 67561 065.5 0402.1
12 Banik Metal House, Silchar 840.0 407.21 342060 137.1 977.1 2144.6 176.77 379104 098.3 2242.9
13 Bhagya Lakshimi Metal
House, Silchar 864.6 406.46 351428 122.3 986.9 1950.4 179.52 350132 268.2 2218.6
14 Karmaker Metal
House,Bilasipara 266.8 364.16 97159 078.5 345.3 0292.0 226.77 66218 145.4 437.4
15 Mirdha Basanalaya
Sapatgram 267.4 368.59 98560 087.7 355.1 0286.4 226.50 64869 124.3 410.7
Total 2238.8 397.18 889207 425.6 2664.4 5010.0 185.21 927884 701.7 5711.7
181
Table 4.34: Machine made bell and brass metal products sale and balance
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Table 4.35: Purchase and marketing of raw materials and energy
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Note: CC- Charcoal, C-Coke, BR. M- Brass Metal, PRM/ER-purchase of raw material in kg or energy in bag,
PR- purchase rate in Rs. /kg or bag, TC- total cost of raw materials or energy, BRM/BE- balance of raw
materials or energy, TRM/TE- total raw materials or energy, RMS/ES- raw materials or energy sale in Rs.,
SR- sale rate of raw materials or energy, TS- total sale in Rs.
Sl.
No.
Bell metal products sale and balance Brass metal products sale and balance
Total
products
Product
Sale
Rate in
Rs/kg
Sale in
Rs
Balance
products
Total
products
Products
Sale
Rate in
Rs/kg
Sale
in Rs
Balance
products
05 --- --- --- --- --- 0402.1 0328.4 272.75 089570 073.7
12 977.1 833.4 468.32 390301 143.7 2242.9 2134.2 222.23 474274 108.7
13 986.9 862.8 468.20 403961 124.1 2218.6 1945.0 225.81 439210 273.6
14 345.3 262.6 422.10 110844 082.7 0437.4 0286.4 256.31 073408 151.0
15 355.1 270.8 427.73 115830 084.3 0410.7 0274.8 278.46 076520 135.9
Total 2664.4 2229.6 457.90 1020936 434.8 5711.7 4968.8 232.04 1152982 742.9
Sl
No
Name of the
sale centre
Name of
item
Product and energy buy in Rs. /kg./bag Product and energy sale and balance
PRM
/EP
PR in
Rs.
TC in
Rs.
BRM
/BE
TRM
/TE
RMS
/ES
SR in
Rs.
TS in Rs. BRM
/BE
1
ACBMUMSL,
Sarthebari
CC in
bag
6402 104.24 667357 182.4 6584.4 6375.6 117.08 746394 200.8
3 Deka metal store,
Kamarpara
C in bag 751.2 093.44 70191 025.5 0776.7 750.0 159.58 119683 26.7
BR. M
in kg
3452.8 217.59 751295 --- --- 3402.8 236.11 803421 ---
Total 1488843 1669498
182
Table 4.36 (A): Cost benefit analysis of sale centres of bell and brass metal products
Table 4.36 (B): Cost benefit analysis of sale centres of bell and brass metal products
Sl.
No.
Name of the sale centre Bell metal products sell in Rs. Brass metal products sell in Rs.
Products
return from
garhsal
Local
products
sell
Machine
made
products
sell
Total
products
sale in Rs.
Products
return
from
garhsal
Local
products
sell
Machine
made
products
sell
Total
products
sale in Rs.
1 ACBMUMSL, Sarthebari 16788245 --- --- 16788245 --- 13406900 --- 13406900
2 Deka Metal Store, Sarthebari 2202492 --- --- 2202492 --- 511080 --- 511080
3 Deka Metal store, Kamarpara --- --- --- --- 1000244 --- --- 1000244
4 Toshi Lama, Bhutan --- 243120 --- 243120 --- --- --- ---
5 Talukdar Metal House, Tihu 1669788 --- --- 1669788 --- 412665 89570 502235
6 Rajib Ali, Hajo --- --- --- --- 1944163 --- --- 1944163
7 Maheswar Store, Hajo --- 470593 --- 470593 1072959 --- --- 1072959
8 Das Store, Hajo --- 1082295 --- 1082295 1019028 --- --- 1019028
9 Bhuyan Metal House, Jorhat --- 1596550 ---- 1596550 --- 460188 --- 460188
10 Bhakatabrinda Basanalaya,B.Rd --- 1343168 --- 1343168 1328981 --- --- 1328981
11 Jintu Juri Store, Hajo --- 1135672 --- 1135672 2486610 --- --- 2486610
12 Banik Metal Store, Silchar --- --- 390301 390301 --- 123870 474274 598144
13 Bhagya Laxmi Metal Store,
Silchar
--- --- 403961 403961 --- 191275 439210 630485
14 Karmakar Metal Store,
Bilasipara
980071 --- 110844 1090915 517569 --- 73408 590977
15 Mirdha Basanalaya,
Sapatgram
1002984 --- 115830 1118814 577777 --- 76520 654297
Total 22643580 5871398 1020936 29535914 9947331 15105978 1152982 26206291
Sl.
No.
Raw materials and energy sold Grand
Total
Sale*
Cost of bell metal products Cost of brass metal products
RM
sold
C
sold
CC
sold Total
sale
RM
cost
Making
charge Total
cost
RM
cost
Making
charge Total
cost 1 --- --- 746394 746394 30941539 10489923 3650913 14140836 --- --- --- 2 --- --- --- --- 2713572 1465500 580202 2045702 --- --- ---
3 803421 119683 --- 923104 1923348 --- --- --- 1467666 198251 1665917
4 --- --- --- --- 243120 --- --- --- --- --- ---
5 --- --- --- --- 2172023 1101353 391986 1493339 --- --- ---
6 --- --- --- --- 1944163 --- --- --- 1381508 350803 1732311
7 --- --- --- --- 1543552 --- --- --- 785727 198696 984423
8 --- --- --- --- 2101323 --- --- --- 730909 183228 914137
9 --- --- --- --- 2056738 --- --- --- --- --- ---
10 --- --- --- --- 2672149 --- --- --- 936158 250644 1186802
11 --- --- --- --- 3622282 --- --- --- 1823721 487746 2311467
12 --- --- --- --- 988445 --- --- --- --- --- ---
13 --- --- --- --- 1034446 ---- -- --- --- --- ---
14 --- --- --- --- 1681892 627338 198931 826269 287838 120422 408260
15 --- --- --- --- 1773051 641904 199501 841405 327550 136141 463691
Total 803421 119683 746394 1669498 57411643 14326018 5021533 19347551 7741077 1925931 9667008
183
Table 4.36 (C): Cost benefit analysis of sale centres of bell and brass metal products
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09 * includes the income coming from selling of bell and brass metal products only
centres are selling either raw materials or energy (charcoal or coke) along with finish
products. Single sale centre under study involves in selling brass metal directly to sell centres
and two sale centres are involved in the process of energy sale to the production units. The
above tables provide the nature of production along with cost and benefit involved in the
process.
The information indicate the different aspects of cost and benefit involved in sale
centres which are engaged in marketing the bell and brass metal products, raw materials and
energy. For having an understanding, the parameters of five years average situation for cost
and sale precede is considered. Total sale of each unit includes the total sale from products
returned after deduction of mulmorah (30 grams/kilogram raw materials supplied and it is 60
Sl. No Cost of indigenous
products purchase
Cost of machine made
products buy
Cost of energy
purchase
Other
cost
Grand total
cost in Rs.
Benefits
to sale
centre
Salary to
workers
Benefit to
sale centre
owner Bell metal Brass
metal
Bell metal Brass
metal
Coke charcoal
1 --- 12472993 --- --- --- 667357 538248 27819434 3122105 1528588 1593517
2 --- 466872 --- --- --- --- 30360 2542934 170638 66900 103738
3 --- --- --- --- 70191 --- 28300 1764408 158940 23760 135180
4 118260 --- --- --- --- --- 18100 136360 106760 20480 86280
5 --- 370372 --- 67561 --- --- 48340 1979612 192411 --- 192411
6 --- --- --- --- --- --- 48500 1780811 163352 --- 163352
7 435353 --- --- --- --- --- 19020 1438796 104756 --- 104756
8 982830 --- --- --- --- --- 89490 1926457 174866 --- 174866
9
1408232 395454
---
--- --- --- --- 63340 1867026 189712 24240 165472
10 1224706 --- --- --- --- 32000 2443508 228641 29800 198841
11 1025533 --- --- --- --- --- 25000 3362000 260282 41400 218882
12 --- 115796 342060 379104 --- --- 16300 853260 135185 --- 135185
13 --- 173442 351428 350132 --- --- 17440 892442 142004 21000 121004
14 --- --- 97159 66218 --- ---- 29740 1427646 254246 --- 254246
15 --- --- 98560 64869 --- --- 49540 1516065 256986 --- 256986
Total 5194914 13994929 889207 927884 70191 667357 1053718 51750759 5660884 1756168 3904716
184
grams/ kilogram in the western Assam cluster) and sale of raw materials and energy. In this
analysis, the other incomes received by the sale centres are not considered. The grand total
cost of sale centre includes the cost of raw materials, making charge paid to production units,
cost of indigenous and machine made products purchase, purchase of energy and other costs
of sale centre (includes the cost of house rent, fooding, electricity bill paid, transportation
cost etc.). To have the nature of benefit of each units, total cost have deducted from the total
sale of respective sale centres. Again the amount of salary paid to workers have also
deducted from this benefit of each sale centre to understand the benefit of sale centre owner.
In this way the computation of cost-benefit task has been accomplished.
The cost-benefit analysis of sale centres of bell and brass metal products reveal some
important aspects relating to its trade. Firstly, the sale centre engaged in this business needs
huge amount of money. For example, ACBMUMSL under Sarthebari cluster needs at an
average amount of rupees 2.78 crores annually. Among the individual sale centres, one sale
centre from Hajo cluster (Sl. No. 11) needs an annual involvement of rupees 33.6 lakh which
is found to be highest among the sale centres of private ownership. The total cost incurred by
the sale centre of Bhutan under study was found to be rupees 1.36 lakh which is lowest of all
sale centres studied as marketability of bell metal products seems to be limited there.
Secondly, the risk factor associated with abrupt change of raw materials, energy and
product’s price is another important aspect. The price of these articles changes from time to
time within the year and the sale centres have to bear the risk of their business for such
sudden changes. Thirdly, the benefit received by the sale centre owner is more than that of
smithy owner though the later comparatively have to render more labour. For example, the
185
individual sale centre owner from Western Assam Cluster (Sapatgram) able to receive an
average annual amount of rupees 2.56 lakh which is highest among the centres studied. As
against this, an individual smithy owner from Sarthebari Cluster has able to earn highest
average annual benefit of rupees 86,387. Apart from it, sales centre owner able to receive
more benefit from machine made products. They viewed that the machine made products are
easy to sale for their lower price and decorative look. Sale centres can be classified into
different groups depending upon its net benefit they earned annually (Table 4.37). Maximum
concentration of sale centres (66.66 per cent) happens to fall in the middle income group, i.e.
earning between 1 to 2 lakh annually. Only one sale centre (6.67 per cent) earns less than one
lac that surveyed centre belongs to our neighbouring country Bhutan. At the same time, 4
sale centres are (26.67 per cent) able to earn more than 2 lakh annually.
Table 4.37: Classification of sale centres of bell and brass metal products based on 5 years
average income
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
4.5. BUYERS’ VIEW ON BELL AND BRASS METAL PRODUCTS
Contemporary market and marketing strategy is basically governed by buyers test
and wants. So an attempt has been made to understand the perception of buyers towards bell
and brass metal products available in the market. Through the buyers survey, it is found that
their choice of articles depend upon variety of factors. Generally customers prefer less costly
utensils made of bell and brass metals. A total of 58 customers from 35 localities in 12
districts of the state have been covered in the study. Firstly, an attempt has been made to
Sl No. Income in Rs. No. of sale centre Percentage to total
1 ‹ 1,00,000 01 06.67
2 1,00,000-1,50,000 05 33.33
3 1,50,000-2,00,000 05 33.33
4 › 2,00,000 04 26.67
Total 15 100.00
186
understand the reason behind buying such products. Among all the reasons, some are
important to them. The reasons scoring more than fifty per cent are considered as significant
(Table 4.38). Therefore, durability, quality, beauty of products and their cultural
Table 4.38: Showing the reason behind buying bell and brass metal products
Sl
No.
Districts
name
No. of
locality
Sample
taken
Reason of buying bell and brass metal products
D Q BE CA HH LIP HHU PIS PO DU PC
1 Barpeta 09 16 12 08 08 09 12 02 16 02 03 00 00
2 Nalbari 08 15 13 08 12 07 09 01 13 02 05 02 01
3 Kamrup 04 11 09 07 09 09 07 00 09 01 04 02 01
4 Marigaon 04 03 02 02 02 03 03 00 04 00 01 01 01
5 Golaghat 02 02 02 01 02 02 02 01 02 00 02 00 00
6 Jorhat 02 02 02 01 00 02 01 01 02 00 01 00 00
7 Sibsagar 01 02 02 01 02 01 02 01 01 00 00 00 00
8 Darrang 01 01 01 00 01 01 01 00 01 00 00 00 00
9 Sonitpur 01 01 01 00 00 01 01 00 01 00 01 01 00
10 Cachar 01 02 01 01 02 02 01 00 01 00 00 00 00
11 Kokrajhar 01 02 01 02 02 00 00 00 02 00 00 00 00
12 Dhubri 01 01 01 01 01 00 00 00 00 00 01 01 00
Total 35 58 47 32 41 37 39 06 52 05 18 07 03
P. C. to total 81.03 55.17 70.69 63.79 67.24 10.34 89.65 08.62 31.03 12.07 05.17
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09. D-Durability, Q-Quality, BE-Beauty, CA-Cultural Association, HH-Health and
Hygiene, LIP-Love to Indigenous Products, HHU-House Hold Use, PIS-Price Increase of Scraps, PO-Prizes to
Others, DU-Decorative Uses, PC-Purchases on Compulsion
association, health and hygienic issues and house hold usability are found to be the
significant considerations in buying bell and brass metal products. Off the total eleven such
reasons, house hold use of the products gets more important place with a score of 89.65 per
cent followed by durability, beauty of products and health and hygienic cause with scores of
81.03, 70.69 and 67.24 per cents respectively. The other two reasons get less importance in
comparison to former four. For example, only 67.24 per cent buyers buy these products for
health and hygienic causes which indicates that the two third of customers are aware of the
health and hygienic aspect of bell and brass metal products. Thus, buyers are more concern
about house hold use, durability, beauty and health and hygienic aspects of the products.
187
Other reasons such as love to indigenous products, price increase of scraps, offer prizes to
others, decorative uses and purchase on compulsion are not very effective reasons in the
process of purchasing. Though, the love for indigenous products may be a strong reason
behind buying bell and brass metal products, but response for such factor is only 10.34 per
cent. It may be the result of rapid price hike of products that limits the buying process of
average potential customers.
Customers concern and the choice of different items of bell and brass metal products
is another area of investigation (Table 4.39). Accordingly, the customers have chosen seven
bell and brass metal items that are preferred by more than 50 per cent of them. Kahi, bati,
bota, chariya, sarai, lota and kalah have able to score of the choice from 100 to 60 per cent
of buyers as these are regarded as the common household items used in Assamese family.
Table 4.39: Items of bell and brass metal products as uses by the customers
Sl.
No.
of
dis
tric
ts
Sam
ple
no.
Name of the items used by the customers
kah
i
bat
i
bo
ta
char
iya
kh
arah
i
sara
i
tray
lota
kal
ah
pla
te
spo
on
dec
. it
ems
cym
bal
gla
ss
het
a
du
nar
i
thal
i
ash
an
gh
anta
ban
bat
i
dh
up
dan
i
ph
uld
ani
gas
a
chak
i
1 16 16 16 13 13 07 10 04 08 07 00 04 07 03 00 04 04 02 00 00 08 01 01 01 02
2 15 15 15 15 14 04 12 04 12 07 01 02 05 01 02 02 03 01 00 01 04 04 01 01 00
3 11 11 11 11 09 03 11 03 07 08 02 06 04 01 03 04 00 00 00 00 03 00 03 01 01
4 03 03 03 03 03 01 03 03 02 03 01 01 02 00 00 01 01 00 00 00 02 02 00 01 00
5 02 02 02 02 01 01 02 02 02 02 00 02 02 01 01 02 00 00 01 02 02 02 00 00 00
6 02 02 02 02 02 02 02 01 02 02 00 00 01 00 01 00 02 00 02 00 00 00 00 00 00
7 02 02 02 02 01 00 02 01 02 02 00 00 01 00 01 01 02 01 01 00 01 00 00 01 00
8 01 01 01 01 00 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 01 00 01 00 00 01 00 01 00 00 01 00 00
9 01 01 01 01 01 00 01 00 01 01 01 00 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 01 00 01 00 01 00
10 02 02 02 02 02 01 01 01 00 01 01 01 02 01 00 00 01 00 00 01 01 00 00 00 01
11 02 02 02 02 02 01 00 02 01 01 00 00 01 00 00 01 00 00 00 00 01 00 00 00 01
12 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 01 00 00 00 01 00 01 00 00
Total 58 58 58 55 49 21 46 22 38 35 06 16 26 08 09 15 14 05 04 06 23 10 07 06 05
p.c. to total
10
0.0
0
10
0-0
0
94
.83
84
..4
8
36
.21
79
.31
37
.93
65
.52
60
.3 4
10
.3 4
27
.59
44
.83
13
.79
15
.52
25
.86
24
..1
4
07
.61
06
.90
10
.34
39
.65
17
.24
12
.07
10
.34
07
.61
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
188
The sources from which the customers used to buy products are different from place
to place (Table 4.40). All the market places of the state are linked with sales network of bell
and brass metal products. Generally sale centres of such products are located at towns and
cities. Therefore, the customers from remote areas face problems in purchasing such
products. Areas, where production and sale centres are absent, people use to buy the products
either from local traders or occasionally from hawkers. Peoples generally have trust on bell
and brass metal products of co-operative society and its branches, but the number of branches
is too few to meet the requirement of customers. The co-operative society (ACBMUMSL)
has able to score only 50 per cent in respect of product purchase pattern. Possibilities remain
to increase the branches of the society in different parts of the state. Local traders have
identified as the main source of purchase with 89.65 per cent customers’ response, followed
by the hawkers with a score of 65.52 per cent. Other sources such as mahajan, trade fair or
exhibition, sobha mahotsav and products directly procure from garhsal have gained less
importance as source of purchase. Sobha mahotsav is a common feature in lower part of
Assam where traders from production units participate to sell their products. In this
connection mention may be made about the sobha mahotsav of Sarthebari, Makhibaha and
Haribhanga in the western Assam that are celebrating from time immemorial during the
period of January to March in every year.
Apart from this, the customers close to production centres have taken chance to buy
products directly from garhsal. Mahajan have direct relation with the retail sellers. They are
supplying products to retail sellers within our states and some of them have business relation
with the local traders of out side states and aboard. Trade fair or exhibition is another avenue
189
for customers to purchase bell and brass metal products and sometimes such fairs are
organized in collaboration of government departments
Table 4.40: Source of product purchase
Sl. No. Sample
taken
Sources of products purchase
Mahajan Co-op.
society
Local
Traders
Hawkers Garhsal Trade fair
/exhibition
Sobha
Mahotsav
1 16 03 13 13 06 06 00 02
2 15 01 09 13 13 02 01 11
3 11 02 02 11 07 03 03 01
4 03 00 00 03 02 00 02 03
5 02 00 02 02 02 01 00 00
6 02 01 01 01 01 00 00 00
7 02 00 01 02 02 00 00 00
8 01 00 00 01 01 00 00 00
9 01 00 01 01 01 00 00 00
10 02 00 00 02 02 00 00 00
11 02 00 00 02 01 01 00 00
12 01 00 00 01 00 01 00 00
Total 58 7 29 52 38 14 6 17
P. C. to total 12.07 50.00 89.65 65.52 24.14 10.34 29.31
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09.
Though not all, some of the buyers use to sale bell and brass metal scraps to different
sources. Among them, there remain few customers who exchange new products to scraps
after paying additional amount. Some of the customers have multiple choices of the sources
for the scraps sold available to them (Table 4.41). The information gathered in this regard
indicates that people have trust to traders who believe to pay the right price for the scraps.
Hawkers, the next important source (63.79 per cent) who collects scraps from house hold
especially from the rural areas. Only a handful of customers have close contact with garhsal
(work shop of bell and brass metal industries). So, only 06.90 per cent customers sold or
exchange their scraps to garhsal. Fair and exhibition get very little importance in this
connection.
190
Table 4.41: Sources to which scraps sold by the customers
Sl. No. No. of sample
taken
Sources of scraps sold
Traders Hawkers Garhsal Fair /exhibition
1 16 16 06 01 00
2 15 06 13 00 01
3 11 07 07 00 00
4 03 03 02 00 00
5 02 02 02 00 00
6 02 01 01 00 00
7 02 01 01 00 00
8 01 00 01 00 00
9 01 01 01 00 00
10 02 01 02 01 00
11 02 02 00 01 00
12 01 01 01 01 00
Total 58 41 37 04 01
P.C. to total 90.67 63.79 06.90 01.72
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Attempt has also been made to understand the preference of customers towards
indigenous or machine made bell and brass metal products in the process of purchase (Table
4.42). Durability of indigenous products than machine made is more as conceived by the
51.72 per cent customers. So, they prefer indigenous products. In respect of quality of
products, again 75.86 per cent customer’s choice goes to indigenous one. But, while
considered the beauty and price of the products, choice goes towards machine made one. At
least 89.66 and 86.21 per cent believes as the machine made products are more beautiful and
price is comparatively lower than that of indigenous products. Weight of products not seems
to be considered as significant indicator in buying process of the customers. In reality most of
the buyers are much concern about this aspect of the indigenous products. Other two
indicators get negligible response from the customers. But, aesthetic value of products should
score higher response from the customers.
191
Table 4.42: Difference between indigenous and machine made products as perceived by
the buyers
Sl. No. Sample
taken
Aspects of difference for indigenous and machine products
D Q B P W AV U
1 16 08 12 13 11 05 02 05
2 15 07 13 13 14 05 02 00
3 11 07 08 11 10 04 01 03
4 03 02 03 03 02 02 00 00
5 02 01 00 02 02 02 01 00
6 02 01 02 02 02 00 00 00
7 02 00 02 02 02 00 00 00
8 01 00 01 00 01 00 00 00
9 01 00 01 01 01 00 01 00
10 02 02 00 02 02 00 01 00
11 02 02 01 02 02 01 00 00
12 01 00 01 01 01 01 00 00
Total 58 30 44 52 50 20 08 08
P.C. to total 51.72 75.86 89.66 86.21 34.48 13.79 13.79
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09 Note: D-Durability, Q-Quality, B-Beauty, P-Price, W-Weight, AV-Aesthetic Value, U-Utility, Pu- Purity of products.
Table 4.43: Problems of traditional bell and brass metal industries as seen by buyers
Source Field Survey, 2008-09
Sl.
No
. o
f p
lace
s of
surv
ey
Sam
ple
tak
en
Problems initiated by the customers
Insu
ffic
ien
t R
aw
Mat
eria
ls
Insu
ffic
ien
t
En
erg
y
Sh
ort
age
of
Fin
ance
Ed
uca
ted
You
ths
are
no
t in
tere
sted
Wei
gh
t o
f p
rod
uct
s
Lo
w i
nco
me
of
wo
rker
s
Ind
ust
ry i
s
loca
lise
d
Lac
k o
f p
rop
er
trai
nin
g
Lac
k o
f m
od
ern
imp
lem
ent
Lim
ited
mar
ket
ing
sco
pe
Wo
rker
s ar
e
ign
ora
nt
Lac
k o
f ad
ver
tisi
ng
faci
liti
es
Ab
rup
t pri
ce
chan
ge
Hig
h p
rice
of
pro
du
cts
Wea
k i
nst
itu
tio
nal
role
1 16 14 12 10 13 04 15 02 05 09 02 14 02 13 11 07
2 15 12 06 07 08 02 11 04 05 08 06 13 03 12 10 08
3 11 08 09 08 09 03 09 03 04 06 03 09 01 08 09 05
4 03 01 01 01 00 01 01 02 01 00 02 00 00 02 03 02
5 02 00 00 01 00 00 01 02 01 01 00 00 00 02 02 01
6 02 01 01 00 01 00 01 01 00 00 01 01 01 02 02 01
7 02 02 01 01 00 01 00 02 01 01 00 00 00 01 02 01
8 01 00 00 01 00 00 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 01 01 00
9 01 00 00 01 00 00 00 01 00 01 00 00 00 01 01 01
10 02 01 00 01 00 01 01 00 02 01 00 01 00 02 02 02
11 02 02 02 00 01 00 02 01 00 01 01 02 00 01 01 02
12 01 01 01 00 01 01 01 00 01 01 00 01 00 01 01 01
Total 58 42 33 31 33 13 42 19 20 29 15 41 07 46 45 31
P. C. to total 72.41 56.90 53.45 56.90 22.41 72.41 32.76 34.48 50.00 25.86 70.69 12.07 79.31 77.59 53.45
192
Buyers have also opined about 15 salient problems of traditional bell and brass metal
industries (Table 4.43). Among them, insufficient supply of raw materials and energy,
shortage of finance, reluctance of educated youth towards the indigenous industry, income of
workers, lack of modern implements used in the industries, ignorance of workers, frequent
change of price of both the raw materials, energy and products, high price of products and
weak role played by the institutions related to the industries are the main problems.
Insufficient supply of raw materials, energy and finance are the key problems of bell
and brass metal industries and these three problems get response from 72.41, 56.90 and 53.45
per cent of the respondents respectively. 56.90 per cent customers viewed the reluctant
attitude of educated youths in the bell and brass metal producing locality a problem for the
growth and development of the industries as a result of which modification or modernisation
process is not yet initiated in this sector.
Indigenous products are generally heavy in weight and these products are difficult to
export to a distant place. Though this aspect gets less importance (22.41%) by the
respondent, but it affects the process of marketing, especially outside the state.
Income of workers depends upon many factors. Generally, the workers of bell and
brass metal industries receive their income or benefit in any one system such as share, salary,
wage and remuneration against per kilogram finished products. Income of bell and brass
metal units as well as workers is the result of low making charge, high price of raw materials
and energy and increasing price of commodities in the market. Here, limited income of
workers is identified as an important problem by 72.41 per cent of the respondents. Highly
localization continues to be a major problem associated with bell and brass metal industries.
193
As these are located in some pockets and hence get less interest to the large section of the
society. Most of the respondents have little idea about it and therefore only 32.76 per cent
responded towards such issue.
Workers have learned the art of making bell and brass metal articles from their
predecessors. Therefore, they are producing articles as did by their earlier generation. But, to
cope with the changing market environment one should try to satisfy the customers of new
generation with changing taste and choice. To do so, workers should learn the art of making
articles in the modernised ways. Altogether 34.48 per cent of respondents have observed and
commented that the workers still use lowest level of technology. This is because of their
lower level of literacy and resulting poor access to new innovation in the sector. Apart from
it, the workers of the bell and brass metal industries are financially weak. Hence they can not
buy the modern implement to produce articles. Around 50 per cent buyers’ have indicated it
as a major problem associated with the industries concern.
Profit and question of existence of any production system is mostly depends upon the
marketing of raw materials, energy and products. Bell and brass metal industries are not
exception to this general trend. Products are generally marketed within the state and only a
very little amount of it supplied to neighbouring states like Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim,
Manipur, Nagaland, West Bengal and neighbouring countries like Nepal and Bhutan. The
problem of marketing the products will more acute, if the workers produces more with the
introduction of modernise method of production. As the customers have little idea about the
problem of marketing and hence only 25.86 per cent buyers identified it as a problem to the
industries concern.
194
At this stage of liberalised market environment, quality, beauty and price of products
should be attractive to the customers. Otherwise, it will fail to attract the customers and get
extinct. To do so, the producer should have maintain a minimum quality standard while
producing various types of articles. But, the bell and brass metal artisans of Assam have little
knowledge about out side world. More than two third respondents i.e. 70.67 per cent
highlighted to this problem.
Attractive advertisement is one of the requisite steps for the survival of a production
and sales system. But, the bell and brass metal industry still lakes in such initiatives.
Therefore, the indigenous bell and brass metal industries get little exposure to expand in a
strategic initiative. But, only 12.07 per cent buyers have mentioned it as a problem to these
industries.
Abrupt price change of raw materials, energy and products is a serious problem to bell
and brass metal industries as viewed by 79.31 per cent respondent. This problem has direct
affect on the benefit of workers and sellers, specially the unit owners and sales unit owners,
who buy raw materials directly from their own source. High price of products is also a
serious problem to the industries as viewed by 77.59 per cent respondent. For high price of
products, peoples of lower income groups are in search of low quality and price articles.
Accordingly, they prefer low priced aluminium, steel, plastic products to supplement
comparatively high priced bell and brass metal products. Some of them purchases low quality
and priced machine made products on compulsion. Last but not least, the role played by the
institutions is very weak. Some times, the innocent and illiterate kanhars get deprived from
their right. This problem is highlighted by 53.45 per cent respondent of the survey.
195
4.6. PROBLEMS OF MARKETING
The word marketing is not only indicates the sale of products. Rather the task of
marketing includes the right choice of products to satisfy the customers. For the selection of
right products, seller must consider the function, price, quality, design and durability aspects
of the products. The choice of customer never remains static. With the change of economic
condition, taste, habit, fashion etc. of customers, seller must have a philosophical mind to
understand the behaviour of market.
Marketing is an important aspect of any production system. The state has a long
history of trade relation with rest of our country and neighbouring countries of the world.
There was business relation of Assam with Bengal (Calcutta), Madras (now Chennai), Agra,
and Oudh Rajputana through rail and river ways. From the notes of Francis Hamilton (1808),
we can able to know that copper were imported to Assam from Bengal and a part of finished
product exported to Bengal. Business transaction from Assam with Bengal through Kandahar
Chaki (Hadira Chaki) had performed. In 1809 A. D., among all exported materials from
Assam, there were bell metal products which able to earn worth rupees 1500 (Hamilton,
1963). However, the industry could not remarkably develop for financial hurdle. Hamilton
wrote, “They finished the metal but none of them have a capital of more than hundred rupees.
They are reckoned by the Bengalese very skilful in working in bell metal, so that some is sent
to Bengal, although all the copper come through the country (Hamilton, 1963)”. In 1904-05,
Assam had imported brass metal and copper from Bengal, Madras, Agra and Oudh and
exported finished products through rail and river ways (Table 4.44).
196
Table 4.44: Marketing of brass metal products through rail and river ways in 1905
Source: Directorate of Archive, Assam, Dispur, Guwahati-06 Note: (Q-quantity in mounds. V-value in rupees)
Though, there were business relations of Assam with some distance places of our
country from time immemorial, the state able to perform a deficit business relation. In olden
times, the state also had business relation with neighbouring countries like Bhutan, Nepal,
Tibet, Bangladesh and the neighbouring states Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Lussai Hills
(now Mizoram) etc. Mention may be made here about the trade relation of Assam with
Bhutan proper confined to the districts of Goalpara, Kamrup and Darrang. The routes by
which peoples of Bhutan descended are the Bijni, Sidli Ripu and Guma Duars leading into
Goalpara and Subankhata (now in Baksa district). While Darranga and Lussai passes leaded
to Kamrup and Darrang district respectively. The trade with the Tibetans and Bhutias had
carried out at Udalguri and Daimara fairs on the border of the district Darrang. There were
trade relations of Assam with Manipur, Lussai Hills and Hill Tipperah and neighbouring
district of Sylhet (now under Bangladesh). On those days, the main items of exports from the
state includes cotton, gram, pulse, rice, brass metal products, copper, iron, oils, opium, dry
fish, salt, silk (raw and manufactured), betel-nuts, tobacco, sugar and coconuts. At the same
time the state imports mainly horses, ponies, mules, cattle, sheep, goats, blankets,
cooutchoue, madder (a plant whose roots yield a red dye), lac, salt, spices, wax, musk, rape,
Name of the
place
Import of brass metal Export of finished products
By rail By river Total By rail By river Total
Q V Q V Q V Q V Q V Q V
Bengal 2229 104065 12652 548271 14881 652336 242 10720 3830 183340 4072 194060
Agra and Oudh 21 804 42 1599 63 2403 10 500 02 100 12 600
Central India
and Rajputana
---- ------- ------ ------ ------- ------ ----- ------- 01 150 01 150
Total 2250 104869 12694 549870 14944 654739 252 11220 3833 183590 4085 194810
197
mustard, tea seed, mate and fire wood. The recorded information of total imports-exports
including brass and copper to various places for the consecutive three years from 1893-94 to
1895-96 as follows (Table 4.45).
Table 4.45: Trade relation of Assam with neighbouring states and countries
Source: Directorate of Archive, Assam, Dispur, Guwahati-06, Report on the trade between Assam and
adjoining foreign countries for three years ending on 31st March 1996 pp. 4, 5, 7, 8 and 11
The increasing price of raw materials has adversely affected these industries in
general and artisans in particular. The people of lower income group are not able to buy these
products. Rather, they prefer the colourful low price plastic, aluminium, stainless steel
products available in the market. The increase of price of energy and decreasing size of the
bags of energy (charcoal and coke) attributed to downsizing the income of the artisans.
Compensate to this decreasing tendency of income, the artisans though not as
Table 4.46: Price of raw materials, charcoal and coke
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Name of the
place
Total imports in Rs. Total exports in Rs. Export of brass and copper
1893-94 1894-95 1895-96 1893-94 1894-95 1895-96 1893-94 1894-95 1895-96
Bhutan
proper 97,890 63,972 1,55,653 54,732 63,443 1,37,889 5,334 12,895 18,325
Tawang 34,506 31,135 35,991 21,943 8,760 46,845 799 2,035 357
Manipur 22,040 3,714 36,301 46,251 83,415 54,851 2,229 1,357 450
Lussai Hills 22,215 31,183 18,549 62,951 29,194 1,33,244 24,449 5,815 2,466
Bangladesh
(Tipperah) 461,537 3,41,977 3,61,919 1,04,513 92,723 1,63,814 15,360 7,324 20,974
Total 638,188 4,71,981 6,08,413 290,390 2,77,535 5,36,643 48,171 29,426 42,572
P.C. of brass and copper to its total 16.59% 10.60% 07.93%
Sl.
No
Year *Price of raw materials and energy in Rs./ kg
and bag
Percentage of price increase
BM BRM CC C BM BRM CC C
1 2003-04 215 150 90 80 --- --- --- ---
2 2004-05 249 190 110 85 15.81 26.67 22.22 06.25
3 2005-06 300 250 120 90 20.48 31.58 09.09 05.88
4 2006-07 390 290 135 100 30.00 16.00 12.50 11.11
5 2007-08 510 305 135 110 30.77 05.17 00.00 10.00
198
*Includes carrying charge. (R. M.-Raw Materials, C.C.-Charcoal, C-Coke, BM-Bell Metal, BRM-Brass Metal)
willing, but fight for increase of making charge for their products. Again, the increase of
making charges of products automatically leads to price hike of the products, which stood
obstacle in easy marketing of the products (Table 4.46).
Non-availability of proper marketing information to production units have stood as
problem to the artisans. They are producing articles as did by their ancestors. They have no
mechanism to generate idea about the changing taste of the customers in changing liberalised
market environment. Again, the products made by traditional production units with the help
of low level of technology are bulky. Hence, it becomes difficult to carry the products in long
distance and the task is very expensive. Therefore, the peoples from out side India find
difficult to buy and carry the products. At these backdrops, the artisans are unable to face the
challenges posed by the changing market environment along with changing value system and
taste of the indigenous user segment.
Challenges posed by the changing competitive market environment along with
changing value system create hurdles in marketing the products. The imitated bell and brass
metal products also creates serious problem of marketing as the government has not issued
‘Trade-Mark’ for the traditional products of the state. Again, the products of stainless steel,
plastic, aluminium, glasses etc. have thrown adverse affects on traditional products of both
the industries.
The marketing of bell and brass metal products was initiated in an organised manner
by the ACBMUMSL after its establishment in 1933. The society bears the responsibility of
supplying raw materials and charcoal to bell metal production units and receives the finished
199
products to sale through its branch-cum-sale centres located in different towns and cities of
Assam. Apart from this, the branch offices of the society are buying brass metal products
mainly from Sarthebari cluster and Hajo to sell at their respective sale centre. However, the
society finds difficulty in the marketing the raw material, energy and products. The society
lacks in finance for smooth conduct of business in large scale. Therefore, it is not in a
position to buy raw materials in bulk from outside the state. Thus, they always remained as
dependent to Guwahati base mahajans for raw materials collection. The transportation cost
of the products from garhsal to market place is more and has an adverse affects on customers
of both the industries. Again, the marketing network of the society is limited to twelve
localities in the towns and cities of Assam. Thus, the village peoples of the state have
deprived from the services outlets of the co-operative movement associated with bell and
brass metal industries.
The marketing of bell and brass metal raw materials, energy and products needs
comparatively huge amount of money. However, the people of the major producing areas of
these industries are economically poor. Therefore, the poor artisans and young generations of
the localities of the major producing areas are not able to involve them in trades of bell and
brass raw metals, energy and products. For short security capacity, they are not able to
receive required amount of finance either from bank or from any other financial institutions.
The local traders, mahajans and aratdar are in a good position in marketing of bell
and brass metals related raw materials and products for financial, managerial and networking
weaknesses of co-operative society. These trade centers running under private ownership
have located in almost all towns and cities of Assam. The concentration of private trade
200
centers is more in upper part of Assam. The supply of raw materials and energy have almost
controlled by local traders and mahajans. It throws adverse affect on production process and
marketing of products.
Hawkers are engaged in business of products and collection of raw materials of bell
and brass metal industries. They are also acting as advertising agents for the products of these
industries. Therefore, they are regarded as people’s ambassador for such industries. But, the
backward transportation system, abrupt changes of price of products and raw materials, lack
of finance, weight of the products and scrap materials, light weight low priced machine made
products available in the market restricts their door to door marketing strategy. All factors
mutually acts against their smooth conduct of business. Some time traders and artisans
engaged in bell and brass metal industries participated in national and international trade fairs
with the help of government departments and NCOs. Nevertheless, reportedly they faced the
problem of conversation for low level of literacy.
The trade relation of bell and brass metals has remained till today with the peoples of
Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, Arunachal Pradesh and some other places. The traders from these
places used to come to the producing areas and bought the products that best preferred by the
customer of their homeland. At least two times in a year, the traders come to Assam and
reside temporarily as guest with some selected production units. After then, they offered
order to production units according to the needs of their respective localities. During field
investigation, the researcher personally met Mr. T. Lama, a trader from Bhutan. He mainly
involves in importing cymbal of various shape, size and kind and products related to
Buddhist religion. The Buddhist people mainly imports four different kinds of cymbal
201
namely rumu, chiming, pasang and jumu. The Buddhist people buy products not in weight
but as kilogram size system as expressed by Mr. D. Talukdar a trader from Sarthebari, who
has business relation with Nepal and Arunachal Pradesh. The people of Arunachal Pradesh
have love and respect to bell metal products of Assam, especially products of Sarthebari
Cluster. The intermediaries or aratdar are supplying these products. They preserved the
products, which are looks very old to show their dignity in society. Especially they preferred
those bell metal products known as Dafla Kahi, Dafla Bati, Ban Kahi and Ban Bati along
with some other products.
Considering all the above-mentioned marketing problems, there is an urgent need to
put effort to solve these for future all round development of both the industries. Stakeholders
should put possible effort to have such up gradation of these industries.
4.7. STAKEHOLDER’S PERCEPTION ON THE INDUSTRY
Perception is the process of perceiving something or the ability to perceive and
understand something. Our senses play a critical role in perception. Any one of five different
senses such as see, smell, hear, taste and feel hits on our senses in every moment, most
sensations are filtered out. To have a better understanding of bell and brass metal industry, it
is necessary to understand the stakeholders’ perception on both the industries. Here workers,
sellers, buyers and members of the management groups of bell and brass metal industries are
considered as stakeholder. Workers of bell and brass metal industries are the main
stakeholder and insiders of the industry. No other peoples have the knowledge about these
industries more than the workers, i.e. artisans. Therefore, their perception towards the
industries seems very important.
202
4.7.1. Perception on economy of the Industry
Economy of any production system is one of the main stay as it has multi dimensional
affects on each stages of production and thus it affects various stakeholders of the bell and
brass metal sector. Among the bell and brass metal smithy owner 39.02 and 27.27 per cents
have perceived that both the industries are in bad economic shape (Table 4.47 and 4.48).
However, 07.32 and 07.27 per cents of the smithy owner perceived the sectors’ economic
position as good. On the other hand 12.20 and 12.73 per cents have perceived the situation as
intermediate. 17.7 percent of the bell metal workers and 27. 27 per cent brass metal workers
perceived that the economic health of the sectors is controlled by the traders. Merely 2.44 per
cent of bell and 5.45 per cent of the brass workers opined the economic health of the sectors
as good, though it is controlled basically by traders. Against this, 14.63 per cent bell and
10.91 per cent brass workers observed the economic condition of the sectors as bad as traders
control the economy. Among the workers 7.32 per cent from bell and 9.09 per cent of the
brass metal workers opined the situation as just thriving and viewed about the significant
control of traders in these sectors. The workers responses reveal that the economic condition
of both industries is not in good shape and overall controlled of traders in the sector.
Table 4.47: Perception of bell metal workers on economy
Sl.
No.
Name of the cluster No. of
units
surveyed
Responses of the workers
Good Bad Thrive
somehow
Controlled
by traders
Good but
controlled
by traders
Bad and
controlled
by traders
Thrive and
controlled
by traders
1 Sarthebari Cl. 36 02 13 04 07 01 06 03
2 Ganeshpara, Ghy. 02 00 01 01 00 00 00 00
3 Western Assam Cl. 03 01 02 00 00 00 00 00
Total 41 03 16 05 07 01 06 03
P. C. to total 100 07.32 39.02 12.20 17.07 02.44 14.63 07.32
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
203
Table 4.48: Perception of brass metal workers on economy
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
The traders and members of management groups of bell and brass metal industries
have perceived on the economic scenario in a different way (Table 4.49 and 4.50). As per the
26.67 per cent of traders and 15.38 per cent respondents of management groups the economy
of these industries are in good shape. Again, 20.00 per cent traders and 38.46 per cent
members perceived the situation as bad. On the other hand, 53.33 per cent of traders and
46.15 per cent of management group members the economic position of both the industries
are in intermediate state i. e. thrive somehow. While 60.00 traders and 100.00 per cent
members opined that the industries have faced acute problems of working capital.
View of the stakeholders on the contribution of bell and brass metal sector to states
economy and employment generation opportunities associated with them are two other areas
of investigation. Among the respondents 80.00 from the bell and 92.31 per cent from the
brass metal sector ascertains the sectors contribution to state’s economy. Among them, 86.67
from the bell and 92.31 per cents from the brass sector viewed the sectors’ positive role in
employment generation. While queries regarding the future of these sectors in terms of their
Sl.
No.
Name of the cluster No. of
units
surveyed
Responses of the workers
Good Bad Thrive
somehow
Controlled
by traders
Good but
controlled
by traders
Bad and
controlled
by traders
Thrive and
controlled
by traders
1 Sarthebari Cl. 20 02 05 03 05 02 02 01
2 Hajo 22 01 08 02 08 01 01 01
3 Silchar 04 00 01 01 00 00 01 01
4 Guwahati Cl. 02 00 01 00 00 00 01 00
5 Mugkuchi 02 01 00 01 00 00 00 00
6 Barpeta Road 02 00 00 00 01 00 00 01
7 Western Assam Cl 03 00 00 00 01 00 01 01
Total 55 04 15 07 15 03 06 05
P. C. total 100 07.27 27.27 12.73 27.27 05.45 10.91 09.09
204
economic prospect, 80 percent from bell and 38.46 per cent form brass sector perceived a
better future economic state and 20.00 percent bell and 61.54 per cent brass sector related
stakeholders are not optimistic for the sectors’ future economic condition.
Table 4.49: Perception of sale centre owner on economy of bell and brass metal industries
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Table 4.50: Perception of members of the management groups on economy of bell and brass
metal industries
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Note: ACBMUMSL- The Assam Co-operative Bell Metal Utensil Manufacturing Society Limited, SNKS-
Sarthebari Nagar Kanhar Sangha, APSS- The Assam Pital Silpi Sangstha, AMGA- Assam Metal Gild
Association, BHMPKS- Brihattar Hajo Muslimpatti Pital Karikar Sangha, APO- Adhoc Pecifist Organisation.
P-president, S-Secretary, M-Member
Sl.
No. Name of the
cluster
No. of
units
surveyed
Responses of the workers
Good Bad Thrive
somehow
Shortage
of
finance
Contributes
to state’s
economy
Creates
employment
opportunity
Better
economic
future
Dark
economic
future
1 Sarthebari, Barpeta 03 01 01 01 01 02 03 03 00
2 Hajo, Kamrup 04 01 01 02 03 04 02 03 01
3 Tihu, Nalbari 01 00 00 01 01 01 01 01 00
4 Barpeta Road, Barpeta 01 00 00 01 00 01 01 00 01
5 Jorhat, Jorhat 01 01 00 00 00 01 01 01 00
6 Sapatgram, Dhubri 01 00 00 01 01 01 01 01 00
7 Bilasipara, Dhubri 01 00 00 01 01 01 01 01 00
8 Silchar, Cachar 02 00 01 01 02 01 02 01 01
9 Thimphu, Bhutan 01 01 00 00 00 00 01 01 00
Total 15 04 03 08 09 12 13 12 03
P. C. to total 26.67 20.00 53.33 60.00 80.00 86.67 80.00 20.00
Sl.
No.
Name and address of
management group
Member
surveyed
Responses of the members
Good Bad Thrive
somehow
Shortage
of
finance
Contributes
to state’s
economy
Creates
employment
opportunity
Better
economic
future
Dark
economic
future
1 ACBMUMSL
Sarthebari 03,p,s, m 00 00 03 03 03 03 01 02
2 SNKS, Sarthebari 02, p, s 00 02 00 02 02 02 00 02
3 AKSS, Sarthebari 02, p, s 00 02 00 02 02 02 01 01
4 APSS, Baniakuchi 02, p, s 00 01 01 02 01 01 01 01
5 AMGA, Sarthebari 01, s 01 00 00 01 01 01 01 00
6 BHMPKSS, Hajo 02, p, s 00 00 02 02 02 02 00 02
7 APO, Guwahati 01, p 01 00 00 01 01 01 01 00
Total 13 02 05 06 13 12 12 05 08
P. C. to total 15.38 38.46 46.15 100.00 92.31 92.31 38.46 61.54
205
It has seen that the workers and members of the management groups perceived the
situation in different and quite opposite directions. This is because of the fact that traders
have different ways of earning apart from business of bell and brass metal products, raw
materials and energy. Therefore, the actual income of traders is much higher than that of
artisans engaged in both the industries. So, the economic perception of traders seems to be
different from the artisans.
4.7.2. Perception on raw materials
Attempt has also been made through this work to understand the perception of
workers, owner of the sale centres and members of the management groups on raw materials
used in the sector (Table 4.51 to 4.54). Irregular and insufficient supply of raw material is the
main problem of both the industries. Out of total bell and brass unit owners, 95.12 and 98.18
per cents respectively perceived irregularity and insufficient supply scenario of raw
materials. Similarly, 93.33 per cents of traders and 100.00 per cent members of the
management groups perceived supply of raw materials as irregular and insufficient.
Insufficiency and irregular supply of raw materials is really a cause of concern for the
industry.
Table 4.51: Perception of workers on raw materials used in bell metal industry
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Sl.
No
Name of the cluster Response of the bell metal workers on raw materials
No. of units
surveyed
Irregular and
insufficient
supply
Frequent
change of
price
Supply
controlled
by traders
Low
quality
Low rate of
new
production 1 Sarthebari Cluster 36 34 31 21 15 08
2 Ganeshpara, Guwahati 02 02 01 00 00 01
3 Western Assam Cl. 03 03 02 02 01 02
Total 41 39 35 23 16 11
P. C. to total 95.12 85.37 56.10 38.92 26.83
206
Table 4.52: Perception of workers on raw materials used in brass metal industry
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Frequent change of price is another aspects of raw materials used in bell and brass
metal industries. Off the total respondents, 85.37 per cent bell meal smithy owner, 76.33 per
cent brass metal smithy owner, 73.33 per cent traders and 76.82 per cent members perceived
frequent change of price of raw materials as an important issue associated with the present
and future of the industries concern.
Table 4.53: Perception of traders on raw materials used in brass metal industry
Sl.
No
Name of the cluster
and district
Response of the brass metal workers on raw materials
No. of units
surveyed
Irregular and
insufficient
supply
Frequent
change of
price
Supply controlled
by outside traders
Low
quality
Low rate
of new
production
1 Sarthebari, Barpeta 03 03 02 01 01 03
2 Hajo, Kamrup 04 03 02 02 02 03
3 Tihu, Nalbari 01 01 01 00 01 01
4 Barpeta Road, Barpeta 01 01 01 01 01 00
5 Jorhat, Jorhat 01 01 01 00 01 01
6 Sapatgram, Kokrajhar 01 01 01 01 01 01
7 Bilasipara, Dhubri 01 01 01 01 01 01
8 Silchar, Cachar 02 02 01 01 01 02
9 Thimphu, Bhutan 01 01 01 00 01 01
Total 15 14 11 07 10 13
P. C. to total 93.33 73.33 46.67 66.67 86.67
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Sl.
No
Name of the
cluster
Response of the brass metal workers on raw materials
No. of units
surveyed
Irregular and
insufficient
supply
Frequent
change of
price
Supply
controlled
by traders
Low
quality
Low rate
of new
production
1 Sarthebari cluster 20 20 19 10 15 03
2 Hajo 22 21 15 13 07 08
3 Silchar 04 04 02 01 00 00
4 Guwahati 02 02 02 00 01 00
5 Mugkuchi 02 02 02 00 00 00
6 Barpeta Road 02 02 01 02 01 00
7 Western Assam 03 03 01 03 00 00
Total 55 54 42 29 24 11
P. C. to total 98.18 76.36 52.73 43.64 20.00
207
Table 4.54: Perception of members of management groups on raw materials used in bell
and brass metal industry
Sl.
No
Name of the cluster
and district
Response of the members of the management groups on raw materials
No. of
units
surveyed
Irregular and
insufficient
supply
Frequent
change of
price
Supply
controlled
by traders
Low
quality
Low rate
of new
production
1 ACBMUMSL Sarthebari 03, p, s, m 03 02 02 01 01
2 SNKS, Sarthebari 02, p, s 02 02 02 01 01
3 AKSS, Sarthebari 02, p, s 02 01 02 02 01
4 APSS, Baniakuchi 02, p, s 02 01 02 01 00
5 AMGA, Sarthebari 01, s 01 01 01 01 00
6 BHMPKSS, Hajo 02, p, s 02 02 02 01 01
7 APO, Guwahati 01, p 01 01 01 00 00
Total 13 13 10 12 07 04
P. C. to total 100.00 76.92 92.31 53.85 30.77
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09.
Another important aspect of the industry is related with supply of raw materials and
control of suppliers on it. Altogether 56.10 per cent smithy owner of bell metal sector, 52.73
per cent brass metal smithy owner, 46.67 per cent traders and 92.31 per cent members of the
management groups perceived the control of traders both outsider and insiders of the state.
Quality of products depends upon the quality of raw materials. Good quality raw
materials can yield beautiful articles if other parameters of production remain favourable.
The existence of low quality raw materials are perceived by 38.92 per cent bell metal smithy
owner, 43.64 per cent brass metal smithy owner, 66.67 per cent traders and 53.85 per cents
members of the management groups.
Low rate of raw material production is another aspect associated with the prospects of
the sector. This aspect is perceived by 26.83, 20.00, 86.67 and 30.77 percentages of bell
metal smithy owner, brass metal smithy owner, traders and members of the management
groups respectively. Among the different stakeholders only the traders have perceived it
208
overwhelmingly high percentage. It indicates that the traders are much concern about the
supply and production situation of raw material. Remaining three groups of respondents have
little concern about this vital aspect.
4.7.3. Perception on workers’ status
Workers engaged in bell and brass metal industries have no special or professional
class. It is open to any one who wants to be kanhar or pital karikar or pital silpi, what may
be the case. But, generally, they are at the lowest level of literacy, poor economic condition,
used primitive implements, applied traditional method of production and dependent on
traders for continuing their production process. Therefore, they earn minimum profit in the
existing system and deprived from the actual profit. Artisans are depriving from getting
proper dignity in the society. Their status has been perceived in different by smithy owners,
traders and members of management groups (Table 4.55 to 4.58). In this connection, 85.37
per cent of bell metal smithy owners, 80.00 per cent of brass metal smithy owners, 60.00 per
cent of traders of bell and brass metal industries and 92.31 per cent of the members of the
management groups indicating towards low income of workers engaged in bell and brass
metal sector. Again, all of them were perceived respectively the low standard of living
condition of the workers of bell and brass metal industries.
Poor financial management of artisans is another aspect to be considered. The bell
and brass metal workers and the members of the management groups are either not willing to
confess the truth or not able to realise the situation. Therefore, response to this aspect is low
as responds to this aspect is from 39.02 per cent of metal smithy owners, 34.55 per cent of
brass metal smithy owners and 38.46 per cent of the members of management groups. But,
209
only the traders group under study perceive it as an important aspect as 66.67 per cent of
them had responded to the query.
Table 4.55: Perception of bell metal smithy owner on workers’ status
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Table 4.56: Perception of brass metal smithy owner on workers’ status
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Lack of literacy is a serious problem in modernise the industry. Response to this
aspect is 63.41, 58.18, 80.00 and 69.23 per cents for bell metal smithy owner, brass metal
smithy owner, traders and members of the management groups respectively. Again, this
important aspect is best reflects by the response of traders. Ill health of the workers is
Sl.
No.
Nam
e o
f th
e
clu
ster
or
loca
tio
n
Un
its
surv
eyed
Response of smithy owners of bell metal industry
Lo
w i
nco
me
Lo
w s
tan
dar
d
of
liv
ing
Po
or
fin
anci
al
man
agem
ent
Lo
w l
evel
of
lite
racy
Ill
hea
lth
Invo
lve
ind
ebt
Sh
ort
age
of
wo
rkin
g c
apit
al
Lim
ited
alte
rnat
ive
Har
d w
ork
ing
Fu
ture
fin
anci
al
inse
curi
ty
No
t w
illi
ng
to
use
mo
der
n
imp
lem
ents
1 Sarthebari cluster 36 32 21 14 23 17 19 29 18 16 22 34
2 Ganeshpara, Ghy. 02 01 02 01 01 00 02 02 01 02 01 02
3 Western Assam 03 02 02 01 02 01 02 02 01 03 02 03
Total 41 35 25 16 26 18 23 33 20 21 25 39
P. C. to total 85.37 60.98 39.02 63.41 43.90 56.10 80.49 48.78 51.22 60.98 95.12
Sl.
No.
Nam
e o
f th
e
clu
ster
or
loca
tio
n
Un
its
surv
eyed
Response of smithy owners
Lo
w i
nco
me
Lo
w s
tan
dar
d
of
liv
ing
Po
or
fin
anci
al
man
agem
ent
Lo
w l
evel
of
lite
racy
Ill
hea
lth
Invo
lve
ind
ebt
Sh
ort
age
of
wo
rkin
g c
apit
al
Lim
ited
alte
rnat
ive
Har
d w
ork
ing
Fu
ture
fin
anci
al
inse
curi
ty
No
t w
illi
ng
to
use
mo
der
n
imp
lem
ents
1 Sarthebari cluster 20 17 13 09 12 12 09 13 06 12 09 17 2 Hajo 22 17 14 08 13 11 12 15 18 10 12 18
3 Silchar 04 02 02 00 01 01 00 02 01 02 02 03
4 Guwahati Cluster 02 02 00 00 01 02 00 00 02 01 01 00
5 Mugkuchi 02 01 01 01 01 01 00 01 00 02 02 00
6 Barpeta Road 02 02 02 01 02 00 00 01 01 02 02 01
7 Western Assam Cl 03 03 02 00 02 02 01 02 00 01 01 02
Total 55 44 34 19 32 29 22 34 28 30 29 41
P. C. to total 80.00 61.82 34.55 58.18 52.73 40.00 61.82 50.91 54.45 52.73 74.55
210
perceived by the four groups of respondents as 43.90, 52.73, 33.33 and 46.15 per cents
respectively. Response to this aspect is medium to low. Except traders, all have perceived it
in moderate way. Only the traders have low response i.e. 33.33 per cent as they are not able
to realise the situation relating to the deficiency of literacy. Moreover, the response of the
four groups also reflected that 56.10, 40.00, 53.33 and 69.23 per cents responses had gone
towards the involvement in debt of the workers of bell and brass metal workers. Though
workers are able to know the actual ground situation, it seems that they have no desire to
realise it. Therefore, their response is not completely coinciding with ground situation.
Shortage of working capital is also a burning problem of the industries concerned. This
aspect is perceived as important by the four respondent groups as 80.49, 61.82, 60.00 and
76.92 per cents respectively. In reality, the responses should be higher than as perceived. The
illiterate workers have little financial records and not willing to expose such facts in this
respect. Hence it is found to be difficult to know the actual situation.
Table 4.57: Perception of traders of bell and brass metal industries on workers
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Sl.
No.
Nam
e o
f th
e
clu
ster
or
loca
tio
n
Un
its
surv
eyed
Response of smithy owners
Lo
w i
nco
me
Lo
w s
tan
dar
d
of
liv
ing
Po
or
fin
anci
al
man
agem
ent
Lo
w l
evel
o
f
lite
racy
Ill
hea
lth
Invo
lve
ind
ebt
Sh
ort
age
of
wo
rkin
g c
apit
al
Lim
ited
alte
rnat
ive
Har
d w
ork
ing
Fu
ture
fin
anci
al
inse
curi
ty
No
t w
illi
ng
to
use
mo
der
n
imp
lem
ents
1 Sarthebari, Barpeta 03 02 01 03 02 01 02 02 02 03 01 03
2 Hajo, Kamrup 04 02 02 03 02 02 02 03 03 03 01 03
3 Tihu, Nalbari 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 00 01 4 Barpeta Road, Barpeta 01 00 00 01 01 00 01 01 01 01 01 02
5 Jorhat, Jorhat 01 01 01 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
6 Sapatgram, Kokrajhar 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 00 01 7 Bilasipara, Dhubri 01 00 00 01 01 00 01 01 01 01 01 01
8 Silchar, Cachar 02 01 01 00 02 00 00 00 00 01 01 02 9 Thimphu, Bhutan 01 01 01 00 01 00 00 00 00 01 00 00
Total 15 09 08 10 12 05 08 09 09 12 05 13 P. C. to total 60.00 53.33 66.67 80.00 33.33 53.33 60.00 60.00 80.00 33.33 86.67
211
The poor, landless, ignorant workers have limited alternative for their livelihood.
Possibilities of getting any government or non government job are almost impossible, except
very few at the lowest level of literacy of the workers of bell and brass metal industries.
Response to the aspect by bell metal smithy owners, brass metal smithy owners, traders and
the members of the management groups are 48.78, 50.91, 60.00 and 84.62 per cents
respectively. The implication of these responses is that the workers are engaged in bell and
brass metal industries compel to continue these jobs due to lack of alternative livelihood
opportunities. In fact, they are continuing their job for keeping the family tradition alive with
a sense of belonging to the native culture.
Table 4.58: Perception of members of management groups on workers
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Last, but very important aspect to the industries concern is the perception on the use of
modern implements. To thrive well in this age of global marketing system, one should
produce things to fulfil the needs of the modern customers. For this reason, to produce
beautiful articles in a short period of time at minimum cost of production, the use of modern
implements to a certain level is necessary. The workers of bell and brass metal industries are
Sl.
No.
Nam
e o
f th
e
clu
ster
an
d
dis
tric
t
No
. o
f u
nit
s
surv
eyed
Response of smithy owners
Lo
w i
nco
me
Lo
w s
tan
dar
d
of
liv
ing
Po
or
fin
anci
al
man
agem
ent
Lo
w l
evel
of
lite
racy
Ill
hea
lth
Invo
lve
ind
ebt
Sh
ort
age
of
wo
rkin
g c
apit
al
Lim
ited
alte
rnat
ive
Har
d w
ork
ing
Fu
ture
fin
anci
al
inse
curi
ty
No
t w
illi
ng
to
use
mo
der
n
imp
lem
ents
1 ACBMUMSL
Sarthebari
03, p, s,
m 02 01 01 03 01 02 02 03 01 01 03
2 SNKS, Sarthebari 02, p, s 02 02 01 01 01 01 02 02 02 02 02 3 AKSS, Sarthebari 02, p, s 02 02 00 02 01 02 02 02 02 02 02 4 APSS, Baniakuchi 02, p, s 02 01 01 01 01 02 02 01 01 02 02 5 AMGA, Sarthebari 01, s 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 6 BHMPKSS, Hajo 02, p, s 02 02 00 01 00 01 01 02 01 02 02 7 APO, Guwahati 01, p 01 01 01 00 01 00 00 00 01 01 01
Total 13 12 10 05 09 06 09 10 11 09 11 13 P. C. to total 92.31 76.92 38.46 69.23 46.15 69.23 76.92 84.62 69.23 84.62 100.00
212
not willing to use modern implements. The responses against to this aspect as perceived by
the four respondent groups are 95.12, 74.55, 86.67 and 100.00 per cents. The respondent
workers are very highly negative for the fear of loosing dignity of their indigenous job.
Therefore, they react against the use of modern implements.
4.7.4. Perception on production and productivity
Production is the process of transforming raw materials into finished goods.
Sometimes these finished goods may again use to produce new goods. For example, by
mixing copper and tin at the required ratio one can produce an alloy called kanh (bell metal)
and from this kanh varied articles may produce, if necessary for different uses. These
products are then sold to wholesalers, who in turn sell them to retailers, who then sell them to
end users- the ‘customers’. The production of bell and brass metal industries is very low for
insufficient supply of raw materials and energy used in the process. At the same time, these
are localised in certain pockets of the state. Therefore, the possibility to increase the products
of both the industries is not possible in such a stage.
Productivity is a measure of the efficiency of production. It is a ratio of what is
produced to what is required to produce. Usually this ratio is in the form of an average,
expressing the total output divided by the total input. In short, productivity is the output per
unit of input. Generally the rate of productivity is high in case of bell and brass metal
industries. The amount mulmorah is 30 kilograms for one tone of inputs except the units of
western part of Assam. Hence, in the state as a whole productivity is 970 kilogram from one
213
tone input. However, in western Assam cluster the rate of productivity is 940 kilogram/ tone
as the amount of mulmorah is 60 kilogram for each tone of input.
The workers of bell and brass metal industries have perceived that there remains the
tendency for the closure of their production, if conditions further deteriorated. At the same
time the traders and members expected to the use of modern implements to increase
production and productivity. But, the increasing rate of raw materials and energy for both the
bell and brass metal industries, restricting its development.
4.7.5. Perception on institutional role
Apart from the traditional institutional structure of the bell and brass metal industries,
government departments, semi-government, non-government organisations and financial
institutions are trying ways and means for the development of bell and brass metal industries.
But, in reality, efforts put from all corners cannot fully develop these industries. Most of the
workers have no idea about the role played by different institutes. Therefore, they have no
idea about the role played by them and these groups of workers have no perception about the
role played by the institutions towards the bell and brass metal industries. Only 26.33 and
30.91 per cents of bell and brass metal workers see the glimpse of hope in the ‘Honourable
Chief Minister’s Incentive Scheme’for the development of Bell and Brass Metal Industries of
Assam. The remaining parts of artisans are reluctant to the role played by the institutions.
4.7.6. Perception on marketing techniques
Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of
interest to customers and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business
214
development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business
communication and business developments. It proposes that in order to satisfy organizational
objectives, an organization should anticipate the needs and wants of consumers and satisfy
these more effectively than competitors. Marketing practice tended to be seen as a creative
industry in the past, which included advertising, distribution and selling. The consumer wants
are the drivers of strategic marketing decisions. No strategy is pursued until it passes the test
of consumer research. Every aspect of a market offering, including the nature of the product
itself, is driven by the needs of potential consumers. The starting point is always the
consumer. History attests to many products that were commercial failures in spite of being
technological breakthroughs.
The marketing techniques adopted by the artisans of bell and brass metal industries
are not common to all. Production units of bell and brass metal industries are related to
process of production that receive raw materials in a condition that the products must return
after deduction of mulmorah. They are receiving making charges and have very little or no
idea about the marketing of the products. The 31 out of the 41 bell metal units and 33 out of
the 55 brass metal production units under study fall under this group. Only the production
units who are buying raw materials from own sources have direct contact with the process of
marketing. Out of total units under study, 7 fully and 3 partly involving in bell metal units
and 22 brass metal units fall in the group.
Again, the owners of trade centers who are supplying raw materials to the
production units have close connection with the process of production. Out of total 15
numbers of such centers 05 bell and 08 brass metals sale centers belong to this type that
215
supply raw material to production units. However, 05 sale centers of both bell and brass
metal are involved in indigenous products purchased and sale. Only one unit under study has
neither supplied bell metal nor supplied brass metal to production units but buy and sale
indigenous products. They are selling products directly to the customers and a part of it to the
retail sellers. Only the traders who are buy finished products have little or no knowledge
about the process of production.
Among the management groups under study, only The Assam Co-operative Bell
Metal Utensils Manufacturing Society Limited has connection with the marketing of raw
materials and products through its 12 sales-cum-branch offices established at different towns
and cities of Assam. ‘Adhoc Pecifist Organisation’, another organization of the state that has
performed business within and outside the state. To understand the marketing environment,
an attempt has been made to understand the perception of the workers, traders and members
of the management groups towards the marketing process (Table 4.59 to 4.62).
Out of the total respondents, 24.39 per cent of bell metal workers, 30.91 per cent of
brass metal workers, 60.00 per cent of traders and 61.54 per cents of the members of the
management groups opined that they have clear idea about the marketing of raw materials
and products inside the state. The responses of share of workers are quite few in relation to
the traders and members of the management groups. It indicates that the workers of
production units have little or no relation with marketing aspects as they mainly produces
articles. At the same time 51.22, 43.64, 26.67 and 30.77 per cents of respondents of the four
groups perceive that they have limited idea about the marketing technique of bell and brass
metal products inside the state. In this regard the share of the perception of workers is much
216
Table 4.59: Perception of bell metal workers on marketing techniques
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
higher than that of traders and members. Again, 24.39 and 25.45 per cents of bell and brass
metal workers have no clear idea about the marketing of products of bell and brass metal
industries inside the state. As against this, the responses of traders and members of the
management groups are different, showing a negligible share of 13.33 per cent and 07.69 per
cent respectively. Meaning of these responses is that a more number of traders and members
have either clear or have limited idea about the bell and brass metal industries.
Table 4.60: Perception of brass metal workers on marketing techniques
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Sl.
No.
Name of the cluster
or location
No. of
units
surveyed
Response of the bell metal workers
Perception on marketing of raw materials
and products
Attended exhibition -
cum-sale programme
Idea inside state Idea outside state Inside the
state
Outside
the state clear limited no clear limited no
1 Sarthebari Cluster 36 10 18 08 04 12 20 06 03
2 Ganeshpara,
Guwahati
02 00 01 01 00 01 01 01 00
3 Western Assam Cl 03 00 02 01 00 01 02 01 00
Total 41 10 21 10 04 14 23 08 03
P. C. to total 24.39 51.22 24.39 09.75 34.15 56.10 19.51 07.32
Sl.
No.
Name of the cluster or
centre
No. of
units
surveyed
Response of the brass metal workers
Perception on marketing of raw materials and
products
Attended exhibition–
cum-sale programme
Idea inside the state Idea outside the state Inside the
state
Outside
the state clear limited no clear limited no
1 Sarthebari Cluster 20 07 09 04 02 05 13 04 02
2 Hajo 22 04 11 07 01 06 15 05 02
3 Silchar 04 02 01 01 00 01 03 00 00
4 Guwahati Cluster 02 02 00 00 00 01 01 01 00
5 Mugkuchi 02 02 00 00 00 00 02 01 00
6 Barpeta Road 02 00 01 01 00 00 02 02 02
7 Western Assam Cl. 03 00 02 01 00 00 03 01 00
Total 55 17 24 14 03 13 39 14 06
P. C. to total 30.91 43.64 25.45 05.45 23.64 70.91 25.45 10.91
217
Only 09.75 and 05.45 per cents workers from bell and brass sector have clear idea
about the market outside the state against 26.67 and 15.38 per cents traders and members in
these sectors respectively. A very few numbers of all respondents have clear idea about the
outside market. Medium responses as 34.15, 23.64, 46.67 and 15.38 per cent of the
respective respondent groups have limited idea about the market outside the state. At the
same time, 56.10 and 70.91 per cents workers of bell and brass metal sector and 26.67 and
69.24 per cents of traders and members of the management groups have no idea about the
marketing of products outside the state. In brief, except traders, all other groups of
respondents have very little idea about the possible outside marketing beyond the state.
Table 4.61: Perception of traders of bell and brass metals marketing techniques
. Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
An exhibition, in the most general sense, is an organized presentation and display of
selected items. In practice, exhibitions usually occur within museums, galleries and
Sl.
No
.
Name of the cluster
or centre
No. of
units
surveyed
Response of the traders of bell and brass metal workers
Perception on marketing of raw materials and
products
Attended exhibition–
cum-sale programme
Idea inside the state Idea outside the state Inside
the state
Outside
the state clear limited no clear limited no
1 Sarthebari, Barpeta 03 03 00 00 01 01 01 01 00
2 Hajo, Kamrup 04 03 01 00 02 01 01 02 01
3 Tihu, Nalbari 01 01 00 00 00 01 00 01 00
4 Barpeta Road, Barpeta 01 01 00 00 00 01 00 01 00
5 Jorhat, Jorhat 01 01 00 00 00 01 00 01 00
6 Sapatgram, Kokrajhar 01 00 01 00 00 01 00 01 00
7 Bilasipara, Dhubri 01 00 00 01 00 00 01 01 00
8 Silchar, Cachar 02 00 01 01 01 00 01 00 00
9 Thimphu, Bhutan 01 00 01 00 00 01 00 01 00
Total 15 09 04 02 04 07 04 09 01
P. C. to total 60.00 26.67 13.33 26.67 46.67 26.67 60.00 06.67
218
exhibition halls and fairs either local or regional. Exhibitions include [whatever as in major
art museums and small art galleries; interpretive exhibitions, as at natural history museums
and history museums], for example; a commercial exhibition or trade fair. Exhibitions may
be permanent or temporary displays, but in common usage, "exhibitions" are considered
temporary and usually scheduled to open and close on specific dates. While many exhibitions
are shown in just one venue, some exhibitions are shown in multiple locations and are called
traveling exhibitions.
Table 4.62: Perception of members of the management groups on marketing techniques
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Commercial exhibitions, generally called trade fairs, trade shows or exposure are
usually organized so that organizations in a specific interest or industry can showcase and
demonstrate their latest products, service, study activities of rivals and examine recent
trends and opportunities. Some trade fairs are open to the public, while others can only be
attended by company representatives (members of the trade) and members of the press.
The groups of respondents have very little experience to attend the sale-cum-
promotion programmes of bell and brass metal products. For example, 19.51, 25.45, 60.00
Sl.
No
.
Name of the
management groups
No. of
units
surveyed
Response of the members of the management groups
Perception on marketing of raw materials and
products
Attended
exhibition–cum-sale
programme Idea inside the state Idea outside the state Inside
the state
Outside
the state clear limited no clear limited no
1 ACBMUMSL
Sarthebari
03, p, s, m 03 00 00 01 02 00 01 00
2 SNKS, Sarthebari 02, p, s 01 01 00 00 00 02 00 00
3 AKSS, Sarthebari 02, p, s 01 01 00 00 00 02 01 00
4 APSS, Baniakuchi 02, p, s 01 00 01 00 00 02 01 00
5 AMGA, Sarthebari 01, s 00 01 00 00 00 01 01 00
6 BHMPKSS, Hajo 02, p, s 01 01 00 00 00 02 01 01
7 APO, Guwahati 01, p 01 00 00 01 00 00 01 01
Total 13 08 04 01 02 02 09 06 02
P. C. to total 61.54 30.77 07.69 15.38 15.38 69.24 46.15 15.38
219
and 46.15 per cents bell metal smithy owner, brass metal smithy owner, traders of bell and
brass metal products and members of the management groups have experience to join the
sales-cum-exhibition programme inside our state respectively. On the other hand, while
discussed about the programme outside the state, only 07.32, 20.91, 06.67 and 15.38 per
cents of respondents mentioned earlier have such type of experience respectively. Therefore,
the traditional products of bell and brass metal of Assam has not get much exposure outside
the state.
4.7.7. Perception on miscellaneous aspects
Attempt has also been made to understand the perception of stakeholders on some
issues like energy and working environment/ working shade (Table 4.63, 4.64, 4.65 and
4.66). At garhsal of bell metal industry charcoal is used as a source of raw material which is
locally known as angar. Brass metal industry generally uses both coke (pura kayala) and a
small amount of charcoal.
Table 4.63: Perception of bell metal workers on energy used and working environment
at garhsal
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Sl.
No
.
Name of the cluster or
location
Units
surveyed
Status of charcoal used Working environment at garhsal
Irregular
and
insufficient
supply
Frequent
price
hike
Decreases
bag size
Hygienic work
shed
Unhygienic
work shed
1 Sarthebari Cluster 36 25 29 31 11 25
2 Ganeshpara, Guwahati 02 02 02 02 00 02
3 Western Assam Cl. 03 01 02 03 01 02
Total 41 28 33 36 12 29
P.C. to total 68.29 80.49 87.80 29.27 70.73
220
Table 4.64: Perception of brass metal workers on energy used and working environment
at garhsal
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Table 4.65: Perception of traders on energy used and working environment at garhsal
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Table 4. 66: Perception of members of the management groups on energy used and
working environment at garhsal.
Source: Field Survey, 2008-09
Sl.
No
Name of the cluster or
location
Units
surveyed
Status of energy used Working environment at garhsal
Irregular and
insufficient
supply
Frequent
price hike
Decreases
bag size
Hygienic work
shed
Unhygienic
work shed
1 Sarthebari Cluster 20 11 18 15 04 16 2 Hajo 22 12 17 12 04 18 3 Silchar 04 02 02 03 01 03 4 Guwahati Cluster 02 02 01 01 01 01 5 Mugkuchi 02 02 01 02 01 01 6 Barpeta Road 02 01 01 02 01 01 7 Western Assam Cl. 03 03 02 02 01 02
Total 55 33 42 37 13 42 P.C. to total 60.00 76.36 67.27 23.64 76.36
Sl.
No.
Name of the cluster
or location
Units
surveyed
Status of energy used Working environment at garhsal
Irregular and
insufficient
supply
Frequent
price hike
Decreases
bag size
Hygienic work
shed
Unhygienic
work shed
1 Sarthebari, Barpeta 03 03 03 03 01 02 2 Hajo, Kamrup 04 03 04 03 01 03 3 Tihu, Nalbari 01 01 01 01 00 01 4 Barpeta Road, Barpeta 01 01 01 01 00 01 5 Jorhat, Jorhat 01 00 01 01 00 01 6 Sapatgram, Kokrajhar 01 00 01 01 00 01 7 Bilasipara, Dhubri 01 01 01 01 00 01 8 Silchar, Cachar 02 02 02 02 01 01 9 Thimphu, Bhutan 01 01 01 01 00 01
Total 15 12 15 14 03 12 P.C. to total 80.00 100.00 93.33 20.00 80.00
Sl.
No
.
Name of the cluster or
location
Units
surveyed
Status of energy used Working environment at garhsal
Irregular and
insufficient
supply
Frequent
price
hike
Decreases
bag size
Hygienic work
shed
Unhygienic
work shed
1 ACBMUMSL Sarthebari 03, p, s, m 03 03 03 01 02 2 SNKS, Sarthebari 02, p, s 02 02 02 01 01
3 AKSS, Sarthebari 02, p, s 02 02 02 01 01
4 APSS, Baniakuchi 02, p, s 02 02 02 00 02
5 AMGA, Sarthebari 01, s 01 01 01 00 01
6 BHMPKSS, Hajo 02, p, s 02 02 02 00 02
7 APO, Guwahati 01, p 01 01 01 00 01
Total 13 13 13 13 03 10
P.C. to total 100.00 100.00 100.00 23.08 76.92
221
Generally, garhsal is a room or building which provides both the area and tools (or
machinery) that may be required for the manufacture or repair of manufactured goods. Apart
from the larger factories, workshops were the only places of production in the days before
industrialization. Therefore, the condition of this very important place should be affordable
one. But unfortunately, the work shade environment of the bell and brass metal industries
perceived as hygienic by only 29.27 per cent of bell metal workers, 23.64 per cent of brass
metal workers, 20.00 per cent of traders and 23.08 per cent of the member of management
group. Therefore, the 70.73, 76.36, 80.00 and 76.92 per cent workers rendered their services
in unhygienic environment according to the perception of respondents.
Reference
Brahma, S. (2009): Astittar Sankatat Kartimari-Asharikandi Kanh-Pital Uddyog, Amar
Assam, the 9th
March 2009, p. 06
Bhattacharjee, K. (2008): Silcharer Kadcha, edited by Choudhury, A. D., second edition p.
97 (in Bengali)
Deka, H. (1995): Oitishyapurna Pitalar Silpa in T. Tamuli and P. Deka (eds), Bhortaal,
Souvenir, 61st Session of Assam Sahitya Sabha, Sarthebari, pp. 125, 126
Dhar, P. K. (2005): The Economy of Assam (including Economy of North-East India), 5th
Edition, Ludhiana, p. 238
Goswami, M. (2009): The Bell Metal Industry in Assam; a Study on Sarthebari (1880-1947),
M. Phil. Dissertation, submitted to Department of History, Assam University,
Silchar, p. 47
Hamilton, F. (1963): An Account of Assam, in Bhuyan S. K. (ed), Guwahati, pp. 48, 62
222
MSME (2008): Annual Report 2008, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, downloaded on
02-03-2011 (http://www. msmedi-guwahati.gov.in/dip-silchar html.)
Patowary, A. (2009): Ambari ancient brick-built tank reveals age of Guwahati city, in
www.assamtribune.com, dated 13th
April 2009
Patowari, M. M. (2009): Assam Samabai Kanhar Sanghar Itibritta, in Patowari M. M (Ed)
Barkanh, Souvenir of the Grand Diamond Jubilee of the ASKSL Sarthebari, p. 7 (in
Assamese)
Sarma, M (2010): Problems of Youth: Tips to Research and Project, EBH Publications
(India), Guwahati, p. 119
Note: Bhattacharya, D. K. (2009): Field Officer, DICC Barpeta, reveals the information at
the time of field work
Barman, B. (2008-09): An inhabitant of village Haldhibari reveals the information at
the time of field work
Mirdha, B. (2009): A trader of Sapatgram reveals the information at the time of field
work
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