Sustainability of Bell-Metal Industry in Sarthebari, Assam, India

Sarthebari of Barpeta District of Assam is a unique place for Bell-Metal Industry, which was introduced here centuries ago and continuing till date, although its infrastructure pattern, techniques of manufacturing and types of products have under gone extensive changes. There are 280 Bell-Metal units functioning at Sarthebari area which provide employment to 5000 workers directly or indirectly. Today, half of the artisans are not fully employed. The bell metal units are not utilized more than 39.7 percent of their normal production capacity due to inadequate supply of scrap bell metal. The industry tries to meet the demands and utilization of its products and in turn it provides means of livelihood to a large number of workers employed directly or indirectly in it. This household industry, where workers are mainly paid members of the family. At present this industry is facing a keen competition with the products coming in from other parts of the country and abroad. The paper aims at the current status of the industry and its sustainability.