Malda Training Diary - Administrative Training Institute

Page 96 of 96
weak and so it has to go at less than half the speed. After initial reeling, there is re-reeling on
larger reels and then each batch’s thickness is tested (should be 16-18 Denaiar). Thereafter it
is pressed into box-like frames and sold. This has to be bleached before colouring to remove
the gum and that reduces its weight considerably.
The plant is working 70 reeling machines now. Due to lack of enough Jap cocoons, cannot do
100. Using indigenous cocoons means working very slow, with very high overhead costs.
The outer floss of cocoons is sold as “raw silk”! If enough Japanese cocoons are got, the
industry can make Rs.1 lakh profit. At present, is losing some half lakh and with Indian
cocoons loses 4 lakhs!
In afternoon, all probationers except Roy Chaudhuri and myself were assigned 3 blocks each
for taking tubewell materials to them by tomorrow. The Suptdt Engr and EE PHE turned up
to meet DM and assured him that they would keep stock ready always and would ask for 200
instead of 150 so that a buffer stock for floods was available.
2 questions arise:-
1. Why are not the tubewells maintained properly to cut out ancillary costs in crash repair
programme?
2. Why does not PHE have a planned programme of sinking tubewells everywhere every year
and so avoid such hectic work in which the worst materials are supplied and work is
perfunctorily done.
Relief Minister rang up for figures on drought. So I rushed to DAO and found:
1. Boro paddy 5000 acres damaged—Rs.81 lakhs.
2. Aus area is 1.70 lakhs; Jute is 1.60 lakhs. Only 15% has been dry sown and without rain
only 5% will germinate, i.e. Rs.59 million loss. Aus is Rs.30 per maund and Jute Rs.50
per maund. Boro yield is 20 tonnes per acre, Rs.81 per tonne.
3. Vegetables 5000 acres out of which 500 damaged, i.e. Rs.1 lakh.
Weather is suddenly changing. Quite cold NE breeze (Jalpaiguri is facing flood danger), but
no rain, despite clouds.
22.5.1972
Work done
Visiting schemes with DIO, 9 to 11.30 a.m.
Went to Manikchak with SOPD, 330 to 6 p.m., 90 km.
Information
With DIO first visited a “cottage” industry in a luxurious 2 storey house. The young men of
the family are producing agarbattis—about Rs.4000/- p.m. and all are sold out @ Rs.6 a
dozen packets. They are getting the sticks from Mysore, scenting them here (I saw the
process). They have to print their address as “Calcutta” otherwise people don’t buy, and it
costs them Rs.6 per 1000. In Malda it costs double and never less than Rs.12-15, while from
Cal, including carrying costs, it is Rs.10 maximum. Later I tested their sandalwood variety
and found it really excellent.
We next visited a “small scale industry”—a tiny cabinet-making shop. Lack of spirit in the
market is bothering him. Has steady customers and making decent profit.
Next, SENCO Bakery. Usually made 4-5 qtls of bread daily. Bad “O” quality flour, due to
bad supply from FCI to Siliguri mills, is forcing him to make only 1 qtl daily. Also because
heat is spoiling bread. Invested 1 lakh. Costs him Rs.215 per qtl; sells at Rs.250. Biscuits he
has started a fortnight back—40 to 50 tins daily, 1000 pieces in each, costing him Rs.12 and
selling at Rs.18, undercutting outside Cal biscuits that sell at Rs.23 a tin.
Next we visited Onkarnath Agarwala’s ice and ice-cream factory. Power trouble is plaguing
him, forcing frequent shutdowns due to voltage fluctuation. He makes about 50 blocks of 50
kg each daily, sells each at Rs.5 or 6, making 25% profit.