Kamat Task Force Committee Report on Traditional Occupations of Goa-2010 for Social Welfare...

A new deal for Goa’s informal economy sectorOn the occasion of golden jubilee of the liberation of Goa

TheReport of the Task Force Committee

To frame an appropriate scheme and package for protection and support for traditional

business/occupations of Goa

Submitted to,The Hon. Chief Minister,

Government of GoaShri Digambar Kamat

ByThe Chairman of the TFCDr. Nandkumar M. Kamat

Assistant Professor, Goa UniversityEx-Chairman, TFC to draft Goa state cultural Policy

& memberGoa State Planning board

November 30, 2010

This report is for government official purposes and not for commercial use, cite the report in any publication as Kamat, N. (2010)-Report of the task force committee for traditional occupations, Dir. Of Social welfare, Govt, of Goa, Panaji, Goa, 104 pp.

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Statement of submission

I, the undersigned, Chairman of the task force committee Dr. Nandkumar M. Kamat, wish to declare that the work of the task force committee is completed to my satisfaction and according to the terms of reference of the committee the report has been prepared and is herby submitted to the government of Goa for further consideration and appropriate action.

Signature

Dr. Nandkumar M. Kamat


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Acknowledgements

I wish to thank as Chairman of the task force committee, the Hon. CM of Goa Mr. Digambar Kamat for entrusting me this task and for time and again making inquiries about the progress of the report. He wishes to give a new deal to the people of Goa as they enter the golden jubilee year of Goa’s liberation.I also wish to thank our popular minister for social welfare Mr. Dhavalikar for his full cooperation and support from time to time.The directorate of social welfare extended the necessary cooperation and support. I thank the director and asst. director for their interest.Such monumental work seeking socio economic justice on Goa’s complex ethnographic landscape would not have been possible without information and inputs from the knowledgeable members of my committee. They need my very special thanks. Without support of my wife Food anthropologist Ms. Melinda Pereira it would have been difficult to compile this report single handedly.I dedicate this report to the toiling people of Goa whom I see working with little hope for future. What use is my life , education and profession if I don’t attempt to live upto their expectations. This report is for them. I have been just an instrument of this democracy.I thank all the people in informal economy of Goa and especially from STs , the association of bakers, potters, toddy tappers and gold artisans of Goa for sending their suggestions.This is not an exhaustive report but a list of practical recommendations which is necessary for the government to take action. That’s why it has been kept short and to the point. I hope that the government of Mr. Digambar Kamat consistent with similar aims of UPA government accepts and implements this report. Dr. Nandkumar M. KamatNov. 30, 2010


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Executive summaryThe appointment of the TFC showed the sensitivity of government of Goa to the radical transformation of global and national economies and the challenges faced by workers in informal sector and micro entrepreneurs who operate on small scales of production and economyThe report is structured in three parts-the recommendations, the annexures and the exhibits. Global and national perspective of informal economy sector is discussed first. Then the local aspects are considered. “TFC defines traditional businesses (TB) and traditional occupations (TO) of Goa as all those market and employment oriented economically active and employment oriented businesses and occupations of resident Goans mostly in informal and largely unorganised sector of Goa’s economy which have proven operational /production/marketing history before liberation of Goa (1961) as testified by the local people/ knowledgeable local experts and where available, supported by published documents/ product samples/ethnographic/museum displays and which do not exclude rejuvenated/revived TB and TO at any point of time after liberation.”The report identifies about 70-80000 potential beneficiaries. It recommends compulsory accreditation of beneficiaries. For purpose of availing benefit of any scheme under the proposed government package, accreditation and registration of the beneficiary would be compulsory. The accreditated beneficiary would be issued a ‘certificate of accreditation’ (COA) stating the nature of traditional business and/ occupation claimed by him/her and other relevant ethnographic and occupational detailsThe report recommends a single window approach through a nodal agency.The actual work of inviting applications in a standard , simple format (to be drafted and made available in English, Konkani, Marathi), screening them, identifying the real beneficiaries from TB and TO would be done by a notified authority GSTOAC .TFC suggests the RAINBOW (seven colour) coding and classification of traditional businesses and occupationsTFC recommends that after for all the accreditated beneficiaries (hereafter to be called AB) a single composite package should be prepared. Considering the constraint of funds the government need to fix physical targets and try to do justice to all the talukas, SC, ST, OBC, minorities and women. The TFC recommends an overall physical target of 50000 for first three years. The report then gives recommendations under each of the four terms of reference and suggests a tabulated simple action plan for government of Goa over a time scale of five years. The report also urges inclusion of state sponsored schemes in the XII th plan proposals for availing plan support from planning commission of India.


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PreambleWhy this committee and this report?

It was Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who in his Speech in the Constituent Assembly of India, on the eve of India’s Independence, August 14th, 1947 said-

“The service of India means, the service of the millions whosuffer. It means the ending of poverty and ignorance andpoverty and disease and inequality of opportunity. Theambition of the greatest man of our generation has been towipe every tear from every eye. That may be beyond us, butas long as there are tears and suffering, so long our workwill not be over.”

This report prepared by the TFC claims to offer new deal for the ‘aam adami’ in informal economy sector, safeguard traditional occupations and the rights and livelihood of indigenous people of Goa especially the tribals

The government of Goa decided to offer a new deal to the informal sector of Goa’s economy, the traditional workers of Goa in order to conserve and preserve their existing employment, knowledge, skill sets and mitigate the impact of globalization by creating a sustainable support system.

The government of Goa appointed vide notification dt. March 8, 2010, No. 82-6-07-08-SDB the Task force committee (herein after referred throughout the report as TFC) to frame an appropriate scheme and package for protection and support for traditional business/occupations of GoaThe TFC was given the following terms of reference (TOR)

1. To identify traditional occupations of Goa2. To identify short term and long term needs of traditional occupations for their

protection and promotion of their enterprises and employment3. to suggest specific measures and schemes for upliftment of workers in

traditional occupations4. to prepare a time bound detail action plan for protection and promotion of

traditional occupation of GoaOn the request of the Chairman considering the scope and coverage of the work the Government was pleased to extend the period allotted to TFC till November 30, 2010.

The appointment of the TFC showed the sensitivity of government of Goa to the radical transformation of global and national economies and the challenges faced by workers in informal sector and micro entrepreneurs who operate on small scales of production and economy. With full support from the government and especially the Hon. Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Digambar Kamat, the TFC has studied the global reports which highlight the plight of the traditional occupations, indigenous people and economically active masses in the informal economy sector. A pertinent observation found suitable by the TFC is as follows:-


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“ There is no doubt that artisans live a precarious, fractured and marginalised existence. It has been estimated by the United Nations that, in India for example, over the past 30 years the numbers of artisans have declined by at least 30%, with many artisans joining the ranks of casual wage labourers and the informal economy.' Mass produced, standardised and cheap factory items have replaced many of the various goods once produced by the artisans. Moreover, essential raw materials like skins and hides, certain types of wood, metals, shells and other craft materials have either become too expensive for the artisans to purchase, or else have been diverted to mass production. Those artisans that do survive invariably produce for a world market, and so daily confront the vagaries of that market”(Precarious Production: Globalisation and Artisan Labour in the Third World , Timothy J. Scrase Source: Third World Quarterly, Vol. 24, No. 3 (Jun., 2003), pp. 449-461) The national perspective

The TFC noted that not a single state in India has taken any composite initiative to protect the interests of traditional businesses and occupations. However there are sector or community specific schemes in many states.

So, why State of Goa should proceed without any precedent?

The TFC felt that Goa has benefit of small size, small population and a record of excellent human development indicators. Goa also faces the challenge of getting swamped by new technologies and cheap products which may outcompete the products of traditional sector.

The consumer behaviour in Goa also has been shifting towards patronage of mass produced global brands. At the same time the potential of mass production and global marketing of certain traditional products of Goa also offers new opportunities.

Therefore TFC concluded that the state government need to identify its’ own financial resources to support schemes for protection and promotion of Goa’s traditional businesses and occupations.

The state government has two options- 1. Prefer to wait till the central government formulates policy and

programmes for the traditional business/occupations2. Formulate its’ own policies and programmes

The TFC however recommends Government of Goa to adopt the following strategy

1. Gather all relevant details about central government’s policy and programmes in the pipeline and verify their applicability for Goa’s informal economy sector, household and artisanal manufacturing sector and traditional businesses/occupations

2. Show preparedness to implement recommendations made by the central government at state and district as well as sectoral levels

3. Examine and accept the recommendations of the present report


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4. At the time of implementing centrally sponsored schemes, review the implementation of the present report and merge common schemes to avoid duplication

5. Continue all state specific schemes not covered by forthcoming central government schemes

The TFC noted the initiative taken by planning commission’s Inter ministerial groupThe inter-ministry task group on technological, investment and marketing support for household and artisanal manufacturing under Planning commission submitted its’ report in January 2005.

It found that the issue of technology for household and artisanal manufacturing covered Ministries like Small Scale Industries (now Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises), Agro and Rural Industries, Food Processing, Textile, Rural Development, Science and Technology, Finance, Industry and commerce, etc. The IMG report has taken a holistic view of the unorganised sector enterprises and has more deeply looked into the technological constraints and needs of handlooms, handicrafts, sericulture, village and small enterprises and food processing industries which are an integral part of the unorganised sector enterprises. The major recommendations of the IMG in so far as technology development and dissemination are concerned are briefly given below.• A new Ministry for Artisan and Household Manufacturing may be carved out, by consolidating all activities of different departments pertaining to this sector. The report observes that multiplicity of organisations dealing with this sector does not permit a coherent response to the difficult challenges faced by this sector.• A National Council on Artisans could be set up under the Prime Minister, with Chief Ministers and relevant Central Departments, as members.• Establishment of a Technology Mission to promote introduction of new and emerging technology for household manufacturing and artisanal units to finalise craft wise technology packing, to set up Rural Functional Industrial Estates/ Integrated Resource Centre, to set up technology banks, encourage R&D, create incubator infrastructure, organise awareness campaigns, coordinate efforts of various agencies, technical centres etc.• A coordinated exercise to identify technology packages for each craft, resulting in a shared technology bank should be undertaken.• Rural Functional Industrial Estates (RFIE) should be set up for each craft and should be located in specifically identified cluster within the relevant group.• Household Manufacturing and Artisan Cluster Development Scheme should be implemented exclusively for the identified clusters on the pattern of existing Small Industry Cluster Development Scheme.• Undertake Programmes for support of product development in high potential clusters having access to export markets.• A well knit arrangement for financial support for Technology Upgradation should be provided.

The TFC also found that its’ objectives are consistent with the priorities of government of India.


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Government of India had set up National Commission for Enterprises in theUnorganised Sector (NCFEUS), on 20th September 2004, to "review the status of unorganized/informal sector in India including the nature of enterprises, their size, spread and scope, and magnitude of employment. " This was the first step taken towards fulfilling the commitment of the new UPA government to ensure " the welfare and well-being of all workers, particularly those in the unorganized sector, who constitute more than 93% of our workforce". Its’ final report- The Challenge of Employment in India : An Informal Economy Perspective was presented in April 2009.

Since the TOR of TFC are very much related to the work assigned to NCFEUS we have taken into consideration some important findings from the above report. This was a felt need to locate our local concerns and aspirations within the policy and operational matrix of the national efforts for mitigation of the problems of traditional sector. The Commission had used the following definition to separate the informal or unorganised sector from the formal or organised sector:

“ The unorganised sector consists of all unincorporated private enterprises owned by individuals or households engaged in the sale and production of goods and services operated on a proprietary or partnership basis and with less than ten total workers”.

The TFC accepts this definition in so far as it is applicable to state of Goa. The TFC also accepts and agrees with the following findings of NCFEUS

1.Informal workers are those who do not have any job security, income security or social security and are therefore extremely vulnerable to exogenous shocks and who accept employment and describe that they are employed as the opportunity cost of that was not only unemployment but in most cases starvation. There are informal workers in organised sector as well as in unorganized sector where enterprises are legally unprotected and worked with less than ten workers.

2. One very important characteristic of this group of the Poor and Vulnerablesection of the people is that, they had very little expansion of their employmentand enhancement in their earning capacity. Clearly, any programme for a sustained improvement of the well-being of these people will have to be centred around how to expand their employment.

3. The overwhelming portion of workers of the poor and vulnerable groups (between 94% and 98%) are informal workers, while they constitute much smaller proportion of the work force in the middle class or higher income groups. The growth rate of employment also was much less among the Poor and Vulnerable groups compared to the Middle and Higher income groups. In other words, both in terms of quantity and quality of employment the poor and vulnerable groups had been lagging far behind the others during the period of rapid economic growth.

The meaning and scope of Terms of reference TOR of TFC


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1. To identify traditional occupations of Goa

The TFC discussed this issue in detail and decided to accept the most practical definition to identify the traditional occupations of Goa, based on universally acceptable historical/ethnological/ethnographic/anthropological criteria applicable in such cases and from the available local knowledge

2. To identify short term and long term needs of traditional occupations for their protection and promotion of their enterprises and employment

Some of the members of TFC itself ( particularly listed at No, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18 in the March 8, 2010 notification) were stakeholders of many traditional enterprises and could submit the list of their aspirations and expectations. In other cases previous studies, media reports, case studies, research reports , direct contacts assisted to identify the requirements. The short term needs are defined within a temporal matrix of six months to five years. The long term needs are defined as more than five and a maximum 20 years.

3. To suggest specific measures and schemes for upliftment of workers in traditional occupations

The TFC envisaged specific measures as both structural and functional and at several levels such as policy, legislative, administrative, financial, technical etc.

4. To prepare a time bound detail action plan for protection and promotion of traditional occupation of Goa

TFC has incorporated this-in four parts an action plan till end of the current financial year, then for the next financial year and for the full XII th five year plan period ( 2012-17)

MethodologyThe report of the TFC was outcome of an exercise based on but not limited to the following methodology 1. Meetings2. Information received from members3. Memorandum received from stakeholders 4. Information given by government departments5. Reference to published literature, books, reports, news items, articles, research

papers, websites etc.6. Interviews with stakeholders and experts7. Field visits8. Review of work done at global and national level9. Review of work done by central government10. Analysis of best policies and practices available

Annexures I to XIV are included in this report for providing an idea of the TFC’s work.


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Exhibits I to XXX have been included in the report to pictorially illustrate the heritage of Goa’s traditional businesses, arts and crafts and to showcase how various locally made products have sustained the material culture in Goan society. A special consideration of the jewellery and ornaments in exhibits- XIX to XXIV-B has been made to pinpoint the vast range of such objects produced in Goa with traditional skills. The exhibit capture the traditional knowledge base of Goa as it existed before Goa’s liberation, esp. in 19-20 th centuries.

The recommendations of TFC are as underA. Policy reforms

1. TFC believes that good and long term schemes need clear public policy support. The public policy can be activated through good enabling legislation.The state government would consult the planning commission of India andNational Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector to formulate a state policy on informal economy aimed to cover all the TB and TOs in Goa and any other enterprise or occupation2. A policy on cluster of artisansClusters – defined as a sectoral and geographical concentration of household and small-scale enterprises, identified by its product and by the place where it is located.TFC strongly recommends a cluster based development strategy for identified and promising TB and TO of Goa. The clusters of artisans in a defined geographical area, makes it possible to organize common services and facilities such as:a design center, a post-production processing and finishing center, a common tooling and machine center, an internet enabled market exchange for e-commerce,a product standardization and quality control center, a bulk merchandising interface forum where bulk orders are received and disaggregated to artisans and finished products are received from artisans and aggregated for delivery to export houses / department stores / chain stores etc3. A policy on street vendorsThe TFC strongly recommends that Government of Goa study, accept and implement the national policy on urban street vendors in order to rationalize the demands of space, address civil society complaints, protect the environment and avoid conflicts between traditional vendors and the non traditional vendors/migrants

B. Legislative requirementsIt has been an experience in India and many states that many good schemes falter without strong legislative support because these are subjected to political uncertainties. 1. The state government would introduce a suitable legislation not later than 2011 to provide strong statutory support for preservation, protection and promotion of Goa’s traditional knowledge, skill sets and occupations, make financial provisions through special funds and establish such permanent institutions and mechanisms as required for the same for the said purpose. The said act may be called –“Goa traditional occupations-protection, promotion and welfare bill, 2011 or Goy rajya parmaparik vevasay sanvrakshan, uttejan anik kalyan vidheyak, 2011”.


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The TFC recommends appointment of a drafting committee in consultation with Goa state law commission for the same. It should include a few non official members from TFC. 2. Considering the occupational hazards of the profession of poders or traditional bakers of Goa the government need to introduce a Goa traditional bakers (poders) welfare bill” on the lines of a similar bill for toddy tappers. This would benefit 1000 families.

C. Administrative requirements(I) TFC recommends formation of village panchayat and municipal level committees- with 3-5 members on traditional occupations to be nominated/elected by respective gramsabhas. The government may issue the necessary directives. These committees would come under the direct supervision of GSTOAC as described below. A provision of Rs. 5000 per year be made towards working expenditure of these grass roots level committees. Their role and functions would be specified by GSTOAC once it begins functioning. (i) Formation of Goa state traditional occupations accreditation

council (GSTOAC) Or in Konkani to be called as Goy rajya parmaparik vevasay adhimanyata mandal or in Marathi as –“Goa rajya paramparik vevasaya adhimanyata mandal” The TFC has concluded that even if it attempts to identify and list all the traditional businesses and occupations in Goa-such a list can not be used exclusively and rigidly unless the real beneficiaries of the scheme are physically identified at village panchayat and municipal and corporation level. There exists a possibility that individuals or groups which may come forward to indicate or claim that they are engaged in traditional businesses or occupations.Besides TFC anticipates academic debates and disputes about the very definition and authenticity of “Goa’s traditional businesses and occupations”. Such endless debates although welcome from ethnographic angle would defeat the very purpose and urgency of the government’s intentions in terms of practical action and support.TFC believes that consistent with the norms set by International Labour Organization, UNESCO, UNDP from time to time and accepted by India, the state needs to strive for “maximum welfare of maximum number of people”. Therefore TFC has suggested the following procedure:-The success of the schemes for TB and TO would depend on a system of state level accreditation, certification and registration.Specifically-no citizen in the state claiming to be engaged in traditional business or occupation would be considered eligible for availing the benefit of the schemes unless and until he/she gets a certificate of accreditation and registration number from an authority which is described below. This would ensure that the government would be able to physically identify the real and deserving beneficiaries and get them accredited and registered. The occupation based database thus created would be useful for public purposes.

The TFC therefore would guide the government with a generic list ( see Table 3) and the actual work of inviting applications in a standard , simple format (to be drafted and made available in English, Konkani, Marathi), screening them, identifying the real beneficiaries from TB and TO would be done by a notified authority GSTOAC . The state government, under the directorate of social welfare would establish a single


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high powered 15-20 members nodal agency - “Goa state traditional occupations accreditation council (( hereafter referred as GSTOAC) for traditional businesses and occupations”, initially for the period of three years, which would screen, accept or reject applications received for the benefit of any scheme envisaged in this report or to be prepared by the government on the basis of recommendations of this report. The council would nominate taluka level local ethnographic experts /people with special knowledge of traditional occupations of their taluka or district for streamlining and decentralization of its’ work. GSTOAC would meet at least once in a month and more often if necessary. The council would also survey and create a computerized database of the TB and TO in Goa and fix their categories to qualify for the benefits. The GSTOAC would also do the final RAINBOW coding of all the TBs and TOs of Goa.

The GSTOAC would have a full time chairman, a vice chairman, a gazetted officer as member secretary and at least six state level experts to be identified by the government in the area of TB and TO and such representatives from government departments like district industries centre, art and culture, state craftsmen training, Goa state handicrafts corporation, KVIC, Small Scale services institute etc. and other relevant agencies which the government thinks fit. Considering the predicted workload of the council a 5-7 member technical committee may be appointed. (D) Single window approachThis scheme needs to be executed in a single department with minimum paperwork. (E) Wide publicity in official languagesThe scheme needs to be widely publicized in official languages and need to reach all PRIs . (F) Grievances redressalThe GSTOAC would identify a grievances redressal mechanism to receive and act on complaints from the applicants/beneficiaries (G) E governanceGovernment need to issue Smart cards with biometric identification to all the accredited and registered beneficiaries and make available necessary information through a dedicated portal with user friendly and dynamic interface

H. Financial aspects Grants, loans, subsidies would need budgetary provisions. The government need to establish a permanent corpus of fund for this scheme. An Initial corpus of Rs. 500 lakhs may be sufficient.

I. Scope for Private Public participation and NGO roleTFC recommends PPP model acceptable to stakeholders and where possible and feasible for assisting the TB and TO for solving copyrights, trademarks and IPR issues, technology upgradation, grading, branding, publicity, export promotion, marketing. Registered and recognised NGOs could be involved to help unorganised sector.

J. Technical issuesTechnology upgradation is a very important aspect to promote productivity and quality. The government would have to engage national experts in this regard to assist Goa’s TB and TO. The National Skill Development CoordinationBoard (NSDCB) may be consulted. The district industries centre may have to play a pivotal role in this regard.


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The TFC would now report on the terms of reference in the order given in the notification.

The first term of reference was

1. To identify traditional occupations of Goa

Criteria:-The TFC fixes following criteria

“TFC defines traditional businesses (TB) and traditional occupations (TO) of Goa as all those market and employment oriented economically active and employment oriented businesses and occupations of resident Goans mostly in informal and largely unorganised sector of Goa’s economy which have proven operational /production/marketing history before liberation of Goa (1961) as testified by the local people/ knowledgeable local experts and where available, supported by published documents/ product samples/ethnographic/museum displays and which do not exclude rejuvenated/revived TB and TO at any point of time after liberation.”

Note:-Here for purpose of ethnographic clarity local residents/people of Goa needs to be understood ( unless the data is revised ) as documented officially by Anthropological survey of India in their publication- Goa, Volume XXI in people of India series (1993) which identifies 34 kinship groups

TFC recommends Accreditation:-For purpose of availing benefit of any scheme under the proposed government package, accreditation and registration of the beneficiary would be compulsory. The accredited beneficiary would be issued a ‘certificate of accreditation’ (COA) stating the nature of traditional business and/ occupation claimed by him/her and other relevant ethnographic and occupational details.

There would be two levels of accreditation for the beneficiaries of the schemes.1. Direct accreditation for the beneficiaries recommended by the duly registered

stakeholder associations recognised by the state and/or central government e.g. bakeries, pottery, toddy tapping

2. Beneficiaries not represented by any associationsThe government through GSTOAC would screen applications forwarded by taluka level experts. TFC suggests that by applying above criteria it should be possible in Goa to invite applications from the potential beneficiaries in standard ethnographic format. These applications would be first screened at village panchayat and municipal level as the case may be for authentication of TB or TO in consultation with taluka expert to be nominated by the government. CategoriesThe TFC recommends a RAINBOW approachTFC found that all TB and TO are equally vulnerable against forces of economic and social change.TFC suggests the RAINBOW (seven colour) coding and classification of traditional businesses and occupations. Table 1 gives the explanation of each category and Table 2 provides the examples


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Table 1 Categories of TB and TO and their explanationCategory ExplanationRED TB and TO extinct but can be revivedORANGE TB or TO on verge of extinction, need immediate attentionYELLOW TB or TO in absolute difficulty, can manage only with strong supportGREEN TB and TO just manageable, need sustained support to surviveBLUE TB and TO well established but need minimal support in specific

areas INDIGO TB and TO flourishing but need minimal support for limited timeVIOLET TB and TO expanding and may need support on case by case basis

Table 2 Examples of TB and TO categories Category ExamplesRED Temple graffiti painting, local masons, lime makers, kankoncars,

piddukkarsORANGE Village level production of simple Agricultural implements,

fireworks (fogeri), weavers, oil extractors, toy makers, coconut pluckers , vanshekars, mest , khazan bundh repairers

YELLOW Toddy tapping, Salt production, plantation workersGREEN Local pottery, production of local breadBLUE Cashew feni, cconut jaggery, vinegar, local pickles, papad productionINDIGO Catering (randpi, achari), gram sellers, local sweatmeat sellersVIOLET Local embroidery, costume design

Consideration of categories for extending benefits of the scheme

TFC is pleased to lay down the criteria to enable priority based extension of benefits of the schemesNote:- In earmarking of funds attention needs to be paid that at least 67 % of budget is allocated to the first five categories.

1. TB and TO in Red, Orange and Yellow categories would get high priority and would qualify for long term (min. 5 years) support

2. TB and TO in Green and Blue categories would get medium priorities and medium term support ( 2-3 years)

3. TB and TO in Indigo and Violet categories would get lesser priority and short term ( one year) or one time support

The government would have the full powers in consultation with state accreditation council to change the categories and the priority treatment.

The data included in Table 3 is just an indicative list to guide the GSTOAC. It is not claimed to be a complete list.


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Table 3 Illustrative list of traditional businesses and occupations

Sr. No.

Traditional business/occupation

Local designation Estimated and indicative number in Goa ( the actually number would be revealed after GSTOAC conducts a survey)

1 Subsistence seasonal horticulture

Molekars 15000

2 Subsistence floriculture Fulkars (mardol, Veling) 20003 Subsistence fisheries Ramponkars, Gabits,

Pagi15000

4 Pastoralism/herding cattle in pastures, ghee, butter production

Gouly/dhangars, Gorva rakhne

15000

5 Subsistence farmers Shetkar/shetkari 200006 River alluvium/silt based

farmerPurani shetkar/purankar 1000

7 Fish gear maker Thakar (Honda, sattari) 508 Riverine fisheries Kinvakars (bicholim) 209 Carpentry Chari, sutar, mestri,

Panchal500

10 Pottery Kumbhar, shet, shetkar 100011 Bamboocraft Traditional dalit (SC)

occupation2000

12 Grasswork ( utensils from grass fibres)

Mostly limited to Sattari and Bicholim

100

13 Bangle/glass work Kankankars (Kankan keri, Ponda), Morle, Sattari

20

14 Coppersmiths (copper, bronze, brass works)

Kansar, shinde, rende 200

15 Goldsmiths and Gold artisans

Sonar 1500

16 Feni distillation Bhattii-kars 400017 Cobblers (shoe making,

repairing)Traditional occupation of SCs

400

18 Broommakers Saani/khutaro karapi 20019 Agricultural implements Mest (Karnzol,

sanvordem Dhave, Thane Sattari)

500

20 Oil extraction Ghane-kar (Dhave, Cudenem) , teli ) pernem)

50

21 Laundry Madval 20022 Ironsmiths Lohar, mest 30023 Bead, Stone necklaces Pidduk-kars ,vanjaris 20


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(valpoi)24 Wild Honey extractors Villagers in Sattari 10025 Tuber farmers Kanga kadpi shetkar

(keri , Sattari)300

26 Local Chilli farmers Molekars with specialization in a single crop of chillies (capsicum) –Pernem, Bardez, Canacona

1000

27 Masons Gavandy/Goundy 10028 Painters Chitari 5029 Garland makers, floral

decoratorsfulari 500

30 Local sweat meat makers Khazekars 20031 Local gram sellers Chanekars 40032 Local

pyrotechnicians/fireworks specialists

Foger, fogeri 10

33 Local bakers, confectioners

Poder 1000

34 Salt producers Mithkar, agarkar 20035 Needlecraft, embroidery Suit-sut shivan karapi 30036 Coconut plucking padeli 80037 Plantation worker bhageli 200038 Lime maker Chune-kar 5039 Weaving vinkar 2040 Coconut Toddy tapping reinder 200041 Beam makers vanshekars 5042 tinner kalaikars 2043 Tailors, dress, costume

makersDorji, shimpi 300

44 barber mhalo 50045 fruit pluckers (other than

coconut)paddekars 1000

46 Coconut dehusker Solpi/nall solpi 100047 Coconut jaggery maker Goddkar, goodkann 50048 Cocount harvestors cameri 500049 Cocount husk rope (razu)

makerrazukar 100

50 Matted coconut leaves maker

Mollankar 300

51 Catering of local food Randapi 20052 Herbal medicine

practitionerGhadi, Vaiz/vhakhadakann

500

53 Toy makers Chitari (demani) 2054 Midwife Suin 5055 Laterite stone dresser Chiro taspi 10056 Idol maker, sculptor Murtikar 50057 Khazan bundh repairer Bhomkar 100


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58 Canoe builder Vhodekar, vhode karapi 1059 Bone setter Hadancho voiz 2060 Puffed rice maker Chirmulyo, fov karapi.

kandpi30

To verify continuity or discontinuity of traditional occupations/trade/professions the list given in table 3 can be compared to Table 4 compiled from a list of Goa’s trade/ occupations between 1750-1800 (given by Prof. Maria de Jesus dos Martires Lopes in 2006 based on her research work, refer to Table 3.14 trades, page 277 of her book- Tradition and modernity in 18 th century Goa)

Table 4 list of Goa’s traditional trades in 18 th century

Sr. No.

Trade as existed in 18 th century in Goa

1 tailor2 oilman3 barber4 boatman5 begarins6 embroiderer7 shopkeepr8 digger9 carpenter10 coalman11 Wax vendor12 seamster13 cook14 Coin maker15 Salt pan farmer16 Toddy tapper17 distiller18 Salt manufacturer19 ironsmith20 ironfounder21 farmer22 laundryman23 Bangle seller24 potter25 jeweller26 baker27 midwife28 shepherd29 mason30 painter31 Linen keeper32 fisherman33 bleeder


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34 Wood cutter35 Bar tender36 barrelmaker

The second term of reference was

2.To identify short term and long term needs of traditional occupations for their protection and promotion of their enterprises and employment

TFC recommends that for all the Accredited Beneficiaries (hereafter to be called AB) a single composite package should be prepared. Considering the constraint of funds the government need to fix physical targets and try to do justice to all the talukas, SC, ST, OBC, minorities and women. The TFC recommends an overall physical target of 50000 for first three years.

After GSTOAC formation the AB would be qualified for the following support package as applicable (1-5)1. An annual capital support grant, not less than Rs. 25000 per year for TB and

TO in the first five categories for a period of three years and to be continued for another two years subject to satisfactory progress report by GSTOAC. The disbursement would be on basis of merit of the case and can not be claimed as a right.

2. An annual support grant of not less than Rs. 15000 per year for TB and TO in the last two categories for a period of three years. The disbursement would be on basis of merit of the case and can not be claimed as a right

3. A consolidated one time grant of Rs. five lakhs for all categories to form registered cooperatives or self help groups aimed at skill and production improvement . For forming cluster of artisans the government would provide more financial and technical help. Those from SC/ST/OBC/Minorities and all women cooperatives and self help groups would be given an additional grant of Rs. One lakh as special ‘empowerment’ incentive.

4. For those providing proof of self employment in all five categories- all registered AB would get an employment subsidy of Rs. 25000 per year for a period of three years only, subject to production of an income certificate and the upper cap of Rs. one lakh per year is to be fixed in such cases .

5. All AB under all categories would be covered under accident and health insurance scheme with 80% contribution from state government and 20 % for AB. In case of SC/ST/OBC/minorities/women government contribution would be 100%

6. TFC recommends a “loan waiver’ package to bail out AB in proven economic distress subject to an upper cap of Rs. Five lakhs.

7. Transportation subsidy maximum Rs. 1000 per year for marketing agro-horticultural goods would be given as one time grant to registered agro-horticultural AB

Other recommendations8. The GSTOAC would receive, examine and recommend claims of TB and TO

to grant status of “industry” on merit basis if such a demand is made9. TFC recommends government to complete the administrative procedures to

grant recognition to gold craftsmen as skilled artisans to avail benefits of Government finance schemes for protection of traditional Goan art jewellery.


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10. TFC recommends that GSTOAC would work and forward a list of items from TB and TO for “preferential purchase by the government” and “minimum price support”.

11. TFC strongly recommends concession in power and water tariffs to all the TB and TO s and specifically to bakers (poders), potters, ironsmiths etc.

12. TFC strongly recommends removal of taxation on specified raw materials procured by TB and TO

13. TFC strongly recommends the government to extend 100 % compensation on account of losses due to the natural calamities to registered AB

14. TFC recommends formation of a “Goa pottery and earthenware board” in association with local Kumbhar (potter) community

15. TFC recommends, consistent with the unimplemented provisions of the state cultural policy, 2007 formation of “Goa gold and jewellery artisanship promotion board” in association with local stakeholders

16. TFC recommends promotion of “one village, one product scheme” (OVOP) by identifying promising products and potential villages. The government of Goa could solicit the assistance from Government of Japan and their Indian partners in this regard. Initially the government can promote this scheme for one village each in North and south Goa districts.

The third term of reference was

To suggest specific measures and schemes for upliftment of workers in traditional occupationsHere certain high priority areas are considered first followed by other recommendations

High priority sectoral areasI. production of local leavened bread using traditional skills

The TFC recommends that since the local bread is local heritage and meets the nutritional demand of lakhs of people it is important to support the local bakers.

TFC recommends the following package for the local bakers (poders)1. Government would give a flat 50 percent subsidy on raw material purchase

such as flour, sugar and yeast to stabilize the prices of bread2. Government would make efforts to provide these materials through Sahakar

bhandars3. Government would subsidize electric baking ovens to save firewood4. Government would attempt to procur firewood and supply it through forest

department to local bakers at subsidized rates 5. Government would sanction power and water tariffs to balers at consesional

rates6. All the poders and their families would be covered under group insurance

scheme7. Considering the importance of microenterprise involved in door to door

supply of local bread, Government would give 50 percent one time subsidy for purchasing bicycles and locally made bamboo or cane baskets for marketing


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the local bread. This scheme would be on par with Motor cycle taxi drivers. The physical target per year would be 500.

a. Protection and promotion of Goa’s Gold artisanship(please view Exhibits XIX to XXIV-b)Traditional Art forms identified by TFC are: Fabrication of various traditional ornaments such as bangles embossed in various designs, patli, toda, ghot, kadem, bhasuband, various design chains (shaped with special cut designs), brasslet (mashcot), chaplahar, necklaces, mangalsutra, daul, finger rings (with diamond having special cutting designs), ear rings, forehead tila, aati and peacock for hair, surga olasar, nose rings (nath, pili, etc), ankle paizan, leg finger ring (veda), waist chins (gof and chains), a set of necklace earring bracelet, etc with special malachite (green) or other metal stones decorated with gold filigree work or a similar set studded with diamonds, etcTraditional crafts: In order to give finishing touch to these ornaments various traditionally specialized craft techniques utilised are as follows: Embossing, ingriver, cutting (cortasao for chains), binakari, filigree, metal wire weaving (special waist as well as neck chains), unique platinum casting on gold base, stone setting, hand cutting (necklaces, ear rings, etc to various designs), patli - shaped with special cuts, etc.The TFC identified the problems associated with this trade: Rising price of raw material such as gold, silver and platinum metal, as also the various stones including diamonds. Use of modern machinery to fabricate the ornaments with fast speed with the consequent less demand for the traditional hand work Lack of publicity for the traditional design craftsmanship with consequent less demand for tourist and export purpose. Multinational companies taking up the Goan market at fast speed with their light machine designs and inability of the individual craftsmen to compete these giants in business.Lack of facilities regarding availability of cheap financeLack of training to local craftsmen to take up the present need of market, for sustaining competition.Non-recognition to this trade from Government as traditional art and craftsmen shipLack of health and insurance facilities to the traditional craftsmen who suffer injuries during their work.Therefore in consultation with the stakeholders in this traditional business TFC recommends the following:-1. Grant of recognition to persons (men and women) involved in this trade as traditional gold, silver and imitation jewellery smith artisans.2. Provide loan from government sources for purchasing raw materials.3. Provide subsidy to artisans for purchase of machinery required for this trade4. Establishment of training centre for fabrication of competitive light designs.5. Setting up of a museum for display of old design jewellery items as well as modern craftsmanship in Jewellery 6. Provision of outlet for sale of jewellery items7. Assistance in setting up of co-operative society of jewellery artisans 8. Setting up of a centralized workshop encompassing the essential machinery and requirement of the services of specialists in the specific trade9. Provision for health and insurance facilities to artisans10. Provision of old age pension facilities to the artisans involved in this trade


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b. Compensation and rehabilitation package for puran shetakri (farmers doing river silt based cultivation in Mahadayi river basin)

(please view exhibit VI on Puran farming)TFC recommends that the following compensation and rehabilitation package need to be given to the puran shetakris of Goa affected due to developmental projects

1. One time compensation on assessment of loss of crops2. Alternative plot of arable land for cultivation and free seeds and fertilizers3. A fixed quantity of subsidized rice per year per each jobless family4. An yearly grant of Rs. 5000 per jobless families5. Free education to children in the family upto PG level6. Assistance for availing benefit of other government schemes

Other recommendations

1. TFC recommends better housing provisions for the families of traditional bakers (poders) with provisions for fire fighting. The government should extend low interest housing loans to them.

2. TFC recommends that the government provide cash incentive for conservation of seeds and planting materials of local vegetables, lentils and fruits preserved by ST s of Goa. The scheme to be called “protect traditional seeds- Goenchi biyam-Goenche daiz- or “our seeds our heritage” could be launched at village panchayat level.

3. TFC recommends minimum price support for all the crops produced by ST communities of Goa. There should be modular pre designed fibre glass kiosks which can be erected as temporary marketing outlets on sides of roads.

4. TFC recommends that with the help of GSHC the government should remove the middleman in marketing horticultural produce by ST s of Goa

5. TFC supports the demand from UTTA officials for early provisions of Kumeri sanads to ST cultivators

6. TFC recommends that subsistence horticulture and organic farming could be introduced as a subject at school level especially in areas dominated by ST s of Goa

7. TFC recommends that a provision of sanctioning leave to students to work in the fields should be made by the state education department to enable the students from ST communities

8. TFC recommends that in order to boost the toddy tapping and related enterprises-the government need to identify suitable plots of land to enable cultivation of dedicated coconut plantations to be leased out to local toddy tappers. In coastal areas this can be jointly undertaken by tourism, forest and agriculture department and by involving the local toddy tappers. The local toddy tappers need to be given a subsidy of Rs. 20000 for five years.

9. TFC recommends support to the toddy tappers association to undertake R & D for standardization of process of cocnut jaggery and toddy vinegar production

10. TFC recommends import of tree climbing gadgets to be provided to toddy tappers free of cost after demonstrations and trials

11. TFC recommends that considering more than 100 thousand people dependent on coconut based economy which also utilizes more than 100 products from coconut, the government set up a Coconut crafts training centre and promote craftsmanship under master craftsmen like Mr. Vijaydutt Lotlikar.


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12. TFC recommends that government subsidize locally designed machines used in TB and TO and particularly in coconut shell craft production

13. TFC recommends that the state committee under nationally sponsored Bamboo mission need to engage local SC and ST artisans for promoting bamboo craft and involve local cultivators to raise Bamboo seedling nurseries

14. TFC recommends that the government direct the department of fisheries to document all the inland fishing techniques, practices and gears and extend support to traditional freshwater fishing communities. The fisheries department also needs to encourage traditional producers of local fishing gears.

15. TFC recommends that the artisanal and medicinal skills of Goa’s Gouly/Dhanagar community need to be protected and promoted by holding suitable exhibitions, workshops and training programmes

16. TFC recommends that the government through forest department and forest corporation encourage cultivation of medicinal plants and herbs used by tribal medicinal practitioners. On priority basis such a scheme is required in Sattari, Quepem and Canacona.

17. TFC recommends that the age old knowledge of Goa’s Gavade tribal community about construction, repair and maintenance of Khazan bundhs, rivulets, drainage systems need to be conserved and protected and a manual of such techniques be prepared by agriculture department. Training programmes to transmit these skills to new generation need to be initiated by soil conservation division.

18. TFC recommends a special package to be worked out by the directorate of industries, trade and commerce (DITC) for the upliftment of Goa’s dying salt industry. This need to include repair of the salt pans, better drainage, better access by road, provision of pumps, storage yard/rooms, loans and subsidies for production improvement, compensation on account of natural calamities like storm, rains and flooding etc. TFC also recommends that the salt pans can be used for production of organic biofertilizers.

19. TFC recommends that the state government declare the unique locally produced salt of Goa –“Agarache mith” as – Organic nutraceutical salt on basis of it’s local medicinal use and research done at Goa university

20. TFC recommends that a fixed number of nut/fruit pluckers of Goa could be voluntarily registered with respective zonal agricultural offices and be given a retainership allowance of Rs. 500 per month to offer their services. ZAO would maintain a logbook of their services.

The fourth term of reference was

3. To prepare a time bound detail action plan for protection and promotion of traditional occupations of Goa

The TFC envisages the following time bound action plan


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Sr, No.

Action required on Agency identified for action

Action to be taken by

Time required

Outcome of action

1 Acceptance of the report Govt. of Goa

The Hon. CM the minister SW and the cabinet

By middle of December 2010

Way clear for implementation

2 Formation of GSTOAC and nominating taluka level experts

Dir. Of social welfare

CS, Sec. SW, director, SW

In January 2011

The setting up of nodal agency

3 Formation of committees at PRI level

DSW, Dir. Of panchayats, DC, BDOS, DMA

DSW In January 2011

Grass roots level committees to help GSTOAC

4 Formulation of specific schemes and their notification

GSTOAC with DSW and finance dept

DSW, CS

By February-March 2011

Schemes ready for implementation

5 Policy and legislative reforms issues

DSW and CS, Law dept

CS, law dept.

By February-March 2011

Policies ready and draft legislations ready

6 Processing of applications and giving accreditation

GSTOAC DSW By march 2011

First beneficiaries would be identified

7 Announcement of specific sectoral packages

DSW DSW and Finance minister

In March 2011 Budget

Announcement of wide ranging packages by CM to build confidence

8 Implementation of all other recommendations contained in the report

DSW Govt. of Goa

Within 1-2 years

About 75000 people would benefit from TB and TO sector

9 Inclusion in XII th five year plan for special support from planning commission

Minister , planning

DPSE, CS, CM

At the time of submission of XII th plan proposals

Planning commission is likely to extend full support

10 Incorporation/merging with central government plans for informal sector

Govt. of Goa

CM After similar central scheme is announced

State to benefit from early bird approach


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Kamat Task Force Committee Report on Traditional Occupations of Goa-2010 for Social Welfare...

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