Page 137 - DECO303_INDIAN_ECONOMY_ENGLISH

Indian Economy

Notes

Caselet Condition of Labourers in Malwa

alwa is the prime agricultural belt of Punjab. In this region agriculture is the
principal source of livelihood. The role of the secondary and tertiary sector is
Mminimal in providing alternative employment. The influx of migrant labour is
also quite substantial in this region. It grew phenomenally during the 1980s and 1990s and
has begun to cause unemployment among local agricultural labourers. The impact of
mechanization, particularly the role of combine harvesters in paddy and wheat harvesting,
also leads to unemployment among local agriculture labourers.
This region is different from the Majha and Doaba region. The phenomenon of Siri and
attached labour is still strongly embedded in the agrarian structure of this region. Migrant
labourers are gradually replacing locals as attached labourers.
Both the Siri and attached labourers are deeply indebted and find it difficult to extricate
themselves from the debt trap. Indebtedness and impoverishment lead to a high incidence
of suicides both among farmers, as well as agricultural labourers. The number of days of
employment of a casual agricultural labour is limited to 70 days in Sangrur district and
152 days in Faridkot district. In the absence of alternative sources of employment, labourers
become severely dependent on local landowners and moneylenders to meet their survival
needs.
Source: http://www.im4change.org/docs/49009-agriculture.pdf

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
1. …………………… enables a country to import food grains and medicines from other
countries to help the people affected by the natural calamities.
2. A country which is involved in exports earns …………………… in the international market.
3. There is …………………… of resources at the international level due to foreign trade.
4. Foreign trade brings countries …………………….

Notes India is a country of Mixed Economy

8.3 Introduction to India’s Foreign Trade

In this section, you will learn about the introduction to India’s foreign trade. Foreign Trade is
one of the important macro important variables of an economy. India till in recent times was
mainly a principal goods exporting and an industrial goods importing country. In 1950s, India’s
portion in the world trade was 1.78% which was decline to 0.59% in 1990 and lasts to continue
around 0.60% till now. India’s share in world exports was 0.8% in 2006.

8.4 Composition of India’s Exports

Here, you will learn about the composition of India’s exports. British strongly considered that
India was a country well-matched to resource raw ingredients and other major goods and a

132 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY