CHAPTER-III PROFILE OF THE DISTRICT

3.0 INTRODUCTION

It is an essential step in the study of the evaluation of the performance of primary agricultural co-operative credit societies to have a clear and detailed picture of the local environment or the context in which primary agricultural co­ operative credit societies are being the present study is work­ ing related to the so it becomes necessary to provide the profiel of Solapur district giving its characteris­ tics. Profile may be in the form of physical characteristics of the area, such as gepgraphy, topography, boundaries, climate etc.; social characterstics of farming communities such as population, population pattern, agriculture etc. economic charac­ teristics such as industires and co-operatiion, transport and communication, banks etc. and the other relevent economic infrastructure available in the area. All these facots create a set of environment within which all activities of primary agricultural co-operative credit societies have to be performed.

3.1 GEOGRAPHY 3.1.1 Location s

The District of Solapur lies entirely in the Bhima-Sina-Man basins, just before the leaves Maha­ rashtra State to enter in to Karnataka State. Bounded by 17°

10'north and 18° 32'north latitudes and 74° 42* east and 76° 15' east longitudes, the district is fairly well defined to its west 33

as well as to the east by the inward looking scraps of Phaltan

range and the Usmanabad plateau respectively. The adjoining deistricts are Sangli to the South-West, Satara to the West, Pune

to the North Wset, Ahamadnagar to the North and Usmanabad to the

East and Bijapur District in Karnataka State to the South. Though

of an irregular shape the district is roughly 200 km. East-West

and 150 km. North-South.

3.1.2 Boundaries i

The tri-junction between Satara, Pune and Ahamadnagar District in the Norrth-West of the District lies. Just North of village Kurabavi in the Nalshiras Taluka of Solapur District to

its South along the river Nira down stream till the confluence

with the main river Bhima near the village Sangam in the same Taluka. From here the boundary runs North upstream of the Bhima

River keeping Indapur Taluka of Pune District to its East for a

distance of 80 km. till reaching an island in the river just

North-West of village Jinti in Karnataka State. There after the

boundary runs East and runs in a direction East-North-East keep­

ing Ahamadnagar District to the north along the bounduries of

Karmala Taluka.

In this section the boundary runs through a rolling country gradually rising in height of over 650 meters and then descending down to the valley of the Sina. Afeter recaching the bed of the Sina river North of the Khadki village, the boundary follows downstream the Sina South-Eastward, for a short distance 34

of about 8 km. till reaching the village of Vijaypur. Thereafter

the boundary turns East and then turns Sharply South along the

crest of minor hill range once again to descent down to the bed

of the Sina river just South East of the village Dilmeshwar in

Karmala Taluka. Thereafter the boundary runs in genral South-

eastwards following the Sina river downstream and keeping Osmana—

bad District to its except for some minor deviations till reach­

ing the village of Ridhore about 14 km. East of Kurudwadi on the

Karudwadi- railway line.

Thereafter the boundary runs next Eastwards in genral

keeping Osmanabad District to its north and gradually gaining in

elevation till reaching the sharp edge of Osmanabad Plateau.

Fallowing it for some distance South Eastwards and then gaining

to the crest of the plateau running over it for a short distance along the Barshi latur rail-cum road to include 4 enclave vil­

lages of the formar Nizam State inclusive of the market cum railway town of Yedshi. The boundary turns back to the sharp edge

and in genral follows it along its foothills till reaching the village of Goudgaon. Thereafer it deviates away from the scrap

edge and runs in general Southwards and Eastwards through a

featurets. Country of even slopes and cutting across accusional

isolated hill masses till reaching the state boundary near the village of Khairal in Taluka. Thereafter, the boundary runs South, to form the State limits till reaching past the

railway town of Budhani and crossing the railway before turning west and falling to the bed level of Bhima river near the village Hilli. Then the boundary follows the river upstream till reaching 35

the village Telegaon Mandrup in Taluka.

The boundary once again deviates from the river and runs through a rolling country. Keeping Bijapur and Sangli Dis­ trict to it South and jumping from the crest of one hill mass to another reaching the scrap distance in the South-Western extremes of Sangola Taluka. Therafer the boundary runs north, Keeping in general to the lower scrap edge of the Phaltan range till reach­ ing Khotale village in Taluka. Then the boundary runs north and runs cross country to descend down to the level of Nira river.

By and large the boundaries of the Solapur District in the West—North and the South follow natural features. It is also in the East form most natural features. This seems tobe result of merger of part of territories of farmer princely states and exchange of enclave vilieges between Solapur and adjoining Districts.

3.1.3 Area i

The district has a total area of 14844.6 sq.km, which is 4.82 percent of total area of State. Out of the total area of the district 2.8 percent (338.8 sq.km.) comes under urban area and 97.72 percent under rural area. Areawise, Karmala

Taluka is bigger(1609.7 sq.km.) and Uttar Solapur is a smaller (76.63 s.q.km.) Taluka in the district. 36

3.2 DISTRICT AS AN ADI-IINISTRATI IVE UNIT t

3.2.1 Administrative Evolution a

The area which new constructs Salapur District was originally a part of Ahamadnagar, Pune and Satara districs.

Karmala was in Ahmadnagar district. Hohal in Pune district and

Pandharpur Maishiras and Sangola in farmer princely State of

Satara. Barshi and Solapur were frequently changed between the revene and districts of Ahmadnagar and Pune. The sub-collectorate of Solapur was within the jurisdiction of Ahmadnagar district in

1830 and a new district of Solapur was carved out in 1838 consisting of the sub-divisions of Solapur, Barshi, flohal, Karma- la and also Indi Hippargi and Muddebihal which are presently in

Karanataka State. The district has however abolished in 1864 and again made sub-divisions of Solapur, Barshi, Mohal Madha, Karma­ la, and Sangola were grouped together to form Solapur district by the transiter from Satara district. Till 1941 there were no other changes in the limits of the district. Conseqent to the merges of the farmerly Princely states of . Soon after independence, two villages of Jamkhandi 21 villages of Jath, 13 villages and one town of Kurundwad 13 villages of Miraj, Sangli and a part of Akkalkot State were added to this district and three new talukas of , Akkalkot and were carried out in 1949.

The Solapur District was split up into two talukas

Solapur South and Solapur North in 1949. In 1990 53 enclave 3

villages were transferred from the former Nizam State of Hydera­ bad and were included within the district in exchange for 12 enclave villages belonging to this district transferred to Item a— nabad and Gulbarga districts, the latter now being included in

Karnataka State. At the same time one village from Indi taluka of

Bijapur district was added to Mangalwedha taluka of this dis­ trict. With the reorganisation of states in 1956 the Solapur district was included in the larger 12% lingual Bombay State and since May 1960 it forms part of the State of Maharashtra.

3.2.2 Administrative Details i

Solapur is a head quarter of the district. Solapure,

Madha(Kurduwadi) and Pandharpur are three revenue divisions of the district. The administrative details of the districts are presented in table 3.1 along with the details of Maharashtra

State. 3S

TABLE 3.1

ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF SOLAPUR DISTRICT

Sr. Solapur Maharashtra No. Particulars Unit District State

1. Talukas Numbers 11 303

2. Panchayat Samitees Numbers 11 289 3. Muncipal Corporations Numbers 01 11

4. Municipalities Numbers 09 238

5. Cities Numbers 10 336

6. Villages Numbers 1142 41833 a) Inhabited Numbers 1134 39354 * b) Un-inhabited Numbers 08 2479

7. Integrated Rural Numbers 11 298 Development Blocks Numbers 8. Srampanchayats Numbers 997 25848

9. Police Stations Numbers 24 833

10. Police Outposts Numbers 33 1426

Source : District Collector Office, Solspur.

3.3 TOPOGRAPHY

The district lies in the basins of the Nirs, Bhima,Sina and Man rivers most of the Malshiras taluka in the West drains northwards into the Nira river in the west of the district. The drainage area of Bhima which winds South_East through the dis­ trict includes of the left bank Karmala, Madha, Pandharpur, Mohal 3q

and South Solapur and on the right bank Malshiras, Sangola,

Pandharpur and Mangalwedha. The Sina which flows roughly South

East, parallel to the Bhima drains eastern Karmala central Madha,

Barshi eastern Mahal and Solapur North and South. Near about Solabur the country is about 5S0 meters above mean Sea level except north and eastern Barshi. Central

Karmala, Central Madha, parts of Maishiras and Southern Sangola which are hilly, Solapur District in relief, is flat/waving most of the surface comprises long, low a uplands separated by hol- lows/shallows basins with an occasional level. The shallow-soil- covered uplands are suited for pailures and deep, soiled low land for cropping. In Kurmala and Madha, the water shed between the Bhima and Sina is marked by a table land and dotting of individu­ al residual Knolls. Except this the Solapur uplands are generally rounded swellings of traps overgrown with yellow sandy spread grass. The rest of the district is bare weak and treeless.

Except Barshi, Karmala, Mohol, Malshiras and Sangola the district of Solapur has a few hills and even these are iso­ lated, individual residual, resistant remnants. The Chief knolls are Vadshighat in Barshi, Waghoba and Badaki in Karmala Chinchg- aon in Madha, Surbad in Malshiras, Phaltan range in Malshiras and the Khanapur Jath hills of Sangola. 40

3.4 CLIMATE s 3.4.1 Rain-fall :

The average annual rainfall in the district is 584.3mm

<23.00"). The rainfall in the district varies from 448.8mm

<77.67") at Akluj rear the western border to 689.2 mm <27.14") at

Akkalkot near the South eastern border of the district. Some rainfall in the form of thunder, Showers occurs during the moths of April and May. The rainfall during the South-West monsoon in the month of June to September amounts to about 74% of the annual rainfall. September is the rainiest month. About 17% of the normal annual rainfall in the district is received in the Post-mansoon months of October and November. The variation in the annual rainfall amounting to 18% of the normal occured in 1916.

The lowest annual rainfall which was only 51% of the normal occured in 1905. In the same period the annual rainfall in the district was less than 80% of the normal in 10 years. Two and three consecutive years of such low rainfall occured once each during this period. Considering the annual rainfall at the indi­ visual Stations it is seen that two consecutive years of such low rainfall have occured more than twice at most of the stations.

In the period from 1911 to 1913 and in the case of two stations 1914 and also, the rainfall was less than 80% practical­ ly throught the district. The annual rainfall in the district was between 500 and 800 mm <19.69” and 31.50") in 31 years out of 50.

On an average there are 37 rainy days i.e. days with 41

rainfall of 2.5 mm to 103S or more in a year in the district. This number increases from 30 at Akluj near the western border of the district to 45 at Akkalkot, near South eastern border.

The heaviest rainfall in 24 hours recovered at any station in the district was 251.5 mm (19.90") at Pandharpur on

Sept. 7, 1985.

3.4.2 Temperature s

There are two meteorogical observatories in the dis­ trict one at Solapur and other at . The records of these two observatories may be taken as fairly representative on the mete­ orological conditions in the district in general.

The cold season starts by about end of November when tempearatures especially night tempearature begin to fall rapid­ ly. December is the coldest month with the mean daily maximum at

29.39°C (84.70° and mean daily minimum at 14.8°C (58.6° f). The minimum temperature occasionally drops down to 4°C or 5°C. period from about the middle of February to the end of May is on of continuous increase of temperature at 39.9°C (103.8°F) and the mean daily minimum at 25.1° C (77.2°F). The heat during the

Summer season is intense and the maximum temperature may some­ times go up to about 44° C or 45°C (111.2°F> or (113.0°F). The highest maximum temperature recorded at Solapur was 45.6°C

(114.1°F) on May 12, 1939 and the lowest minimum was 4.4°C

(39.9°F) on January 7, 1945.

13009 In 1991 the maximum temperature recorded was 41.0

Celcious and minimum 15.3 Celcious.

3.4.3 Humidity s

The air is highly humid during the South West monsoon months and mostly dry during the rest of the year. The driest part of the year is the Summer Season when the humidity is between about 20 and 25 percent on the average in the afternoon.

3.4.4 Cloudness s

During the South West monsoon Season the Skies are heavily clouded or overcast. Skies are generally clear or lightly clouded during the period of November to March. Cloudness in­ creases progressively from May and the afternoons are compara­ tively more clouded than the mornings.

3.4.5 Wind s

Winds are light to moderate in force with some strengthening during the period May to August. In the South West monsoon Season winds are mainly from directions between South-

West and North-West. In the period October to December winds blow from directions between North-West and South-East in the mornings and between North and West in the afternoons. In the next four months winds are variable in directions. In May winds are mostly from directions between West and North. 43

3.4.6 Special Weather Phenomena i

Thunder storms occur during the period March to

October. The highest incidence being in June and September.

Dust-Storms occur occasionally during the hot season.

3.5 POPULATION OF THE DISTRICT

3.5.1 General s

As per 1981 Population Census Report the papulation of Solapur District was 25,88,139 of which male Papulation was 13,32,914 and female Population was 12,55,225 compared to 1971 Population Census report the per 10 year rate of increase in Population was 14.83 percent.

As per 1991 Population Census Report the population of the district was 32,24,034 of which male population is 16,64,927 and female population is 15,59,107 compared to 1981 population census report the per 10 year rate of increase in population is 24.57 percent.

The per 10 year rate of increase in population of

Maharashtra State as a whole is 25.36 percent which is more than the rate of Solapur district by 0.79 percent per year.

3.5.2 Papulation Density s

The area of Solapur District is 4.82 percent of the Maharashtra State, while the Population of the district is 4.12 percent of the State. As per 1981 Population Census Report, the 44

population density of the district was 174 per sq. K.M. while as per 1991 Population Census Report it is 216 per sq. K.M. which is increased by 38 per sq. K.M.

3.5.3 Rural and Urban Population s

As per 1981 Population Census Report, the rural popula­ tion of the district was 70.35 percent and Urban 29.65 percent of the total population.

Out of Urban populated talukas of the district, highest urban populated taluka is Uttar Solapur, while lowest urban populated taluka is Sangola. Malshiras, Daxin Solapur and Mohal are wholly rural populated talukas. As per 1991 Population Census Report the rural popula­ tion of the district is 71.19 percent (i.e.22,95,135) and Urban 28.81 percent (i.e. 928899). Thus Solapur district is dominated by rural population.

3.5.4 Male, Female Proportion s

As per 1981 Population Census Report the male female proportion of the district was 1000s942. This was 1000s931 in

Urban area and 1000:946 in the rural area. At the same time this proportion was 1000:937 of Maharashtra State as a whole and 1000:850 in urban areas of Maharashtra and 1000:987 in rural areas of Maharashtra State as a whole.

As per the Population Census Report of 1991, the male female proportion of the district is 1000 to 936 which is reduced by 06 as compared to 1981 Census Report. 45

TABLE 3.2 DIFFERENT VARIABLES OF POPULATION OF SOLAPUR DISTRICT AND MAHARASHTRA STATE <1991)

Sr. Solapur Maharashatra No. Particulars Unit District State

1. Rural Figures in 2295 48396 Population thousands

2. Urban Figures in 929 30542 Population thousands

3. Total Figures in 3224 78938 Population thousands

4. Male Figures in 1665 40826 Population thousands

5. Female Figures in 1559 38112 Population thousands

6. Female Male Proportion 936 934 Proportion in 1000 male

7. Density Population 216 257 per Sq.K.M.

8. Literacy Percentage

a> Total Percentage 47.06 64.90 b> Male Percentage 58.71 76.56 c) Female Percentage 34.63 52.32

Source : 1. SOCIO - Economic Review and District Statistical

Abstract of Solapur District (1991-92) Directorate of

Economics and Statistical Govt, of Maharashtra.

2. Census Report of 1991. 46

3.6 AGRICULTURE s

3.6.1 Land Use Pattern s

On the basis of available data for the reference year of 1985-86 out of the 14,87,843 hectares of land 2.30X was under forest, 3.90% was under grazing land, 5.26X was non—cultivable and 12.26X was fallow land. For the same reference year out of

13,17,300 hectares of cultivable land 83.03X was under net crapped area. Out of total crapped area of 11,81,100 hectares

94.84X was under net cropped area and 5.61X was under double cropped area. Out of net cropped area the maximum area i.e.

1,21,100 hectares was from and minimum i.e. 57,200 hectares from Uttar Solapur taluka. On the same line out of the double crapped area, maximum area was from Karmala taluka i.e.

16,900 hectares and minimum was from Uttar Solapur i.e. 2,100 hectares. For the reference year 1989-90, out of 13,16,800 hectares of cultivable land 10,84,600 hectares was under caltiva— tion.

3.6.2 Land Holding Pattern i

For the reference year of 1985-86, there were 3.40 lakh registered land holders having a total cultivated area of 12.89 lakh hectares on their names s Table 3.3 shows the land holding pattern in the form of percentage of land holders. 47

TABLE 3.3

LAND HOLDING PATTERN OF THE SOLAPUR DISTRICT

Sr. Size of Land Holding % of Total % to Total No. in Hectares Land Holders Cultivated Land

1. Less than 2 39.70 11.44

2. 2 to less than 5 36.84 30.69

3. 5 to less than 10 16.68 30.55

4. 10 to less than 20 05.97 20.76

5. 20 to less than 50 00.78 05.28

6. 50 and more than that 00.03 01.28

Total 100.00 100.00

Source s Agricultural Development Officer, Zilla Parishad,

Solapur.

Analysis of Table No.3.3 provides the important conclusions such as :

1. About 40% of landholders having a landholding of less than 2 hectares, hold only 11% of total cultivated land.

2. About 37% of land holders having a land holding of 2 to less than 5 hectares held about 31% of cultivated land.

3. It means about 77% of the total land holders have their land holding of less than 5 hectares and their total area of land holding is more than 42% of total cultivated area of the dis— trict. 4. Big land holders holding the area of 50 and more hectares the area of 50 and more hactares are only 0.03% of total and they are holding only 1.28% of cultivated land of the district, it means, land holding pattern is dominaed by small farmers having the area of 2 to less than 5 hectares. Out of the total 3.40,063 landholders 63.15% are holding nonirrigated land, only 9.42% are holding irrigated land and remaining 27.43% are holding irrigated as well as nonirrigated land.

3.6.3. Crop Pattern s

Bajara and Tur are the main Kharip Crops and jawar is the main Rabi Crop of the district. In the reference year of

1985—86 out of the total cropped area 66% area was under Jawar 5% was under mustered and 4% was under Bajara. Out of the 11.81 lakh hectares of croped area 76% was under cereals, 8% was under pulses and 12% was under oilseeds. The properation of cereals and non-cereals was 87% and 13% respectively. Area covered by cash crops was 9% of the total cropped area.

3.6.4. Land Development Programme s

Under the Scheme of Land Development Programme (LDP) the work of bunds and on farm developments has been undertaken. For the reference year 1985—86, the work of bunds has been completed on the area of 1350 hectares and on farm development work has been completed on 95 hectares. 49

3.6.5. Warehousing and Marketing of Agricultural Produces

There are 11 Taluka Agriculture Produce Sunghs and one

District Agriculture Produce market in the Solapur district. In

1991-92 the goods of Rs.1,226 lakh were sold in these markets, of which Rs.98 lakh were from agriculture products, Rs.581 lakh were from agriculture use products and Rs.547 were from consumbale goods, in the district, there are 46 Government owned warehouses and 38 co-operative warehouses having a capacity of 54,000 II.

Tonnes. Table 3.4 provides some important variables of agriculture of Solapur District as well as Maharashtra State. 50

TABLE 3-4 DIFFERENT VARIABLES OF AGRICULTURE OF SOLAPUR DISTRICT AND MAHARASHTRA STATE

Sr. Solapur Maharashatra No. Particulars Unit District State

1. Total Seographical Thousand 1488 30758 Area hectare <1989-90) <1990-91) jC. m Area Under Forest Thousand 344 5410 and its percentage hectare (2.28) <17.59) to the total area

3. Land not available for agriculture a) Area under non— Thousand 07 1111 agricultural use hectare b) Fallow and non— Thousand 72 1717 cultivatable area gectare c) Total 79 2828 4. Non-cultivable other Thousand 100 2727 than fallow land hectare

5. Fallow Land a) Current fallow II 76 870 b) Other fallow H 184 983 c) Total fallow land It 260 1853

6. Cropped Area a) Net cropped area II 1015 17941 b) Double crapped area II 69 3112 c) Total cropped area II 1084 21052 7. Irrigated Area a) Net irrigated area tf 163 2433 b) Total irrigated area II 205 3170

8. Cropped Area Under Food Crops II 902 14399 9. Land Revenue Collection C1991-92) Rs.in Lakh 53 4411

Sources s 1 Directorate of Agriculture, Government of Maharashtra, Pune. 2 Agriculture Development Officer, Zilla Parishad Solapur. 51

3-7. INDUSTRY AND CO-OPERATION

3.7.1. Industries s

By the end of the year 1991 therewere 2906 factories registered under factories Act, of which 593 (24%) are closed and remaining 1973 (76%) are working. There are 29,960 workers work­ ing in these factories of which 7% are female.

There are 8 Sugar Factories in the district, of which 6 are in the co-operative sector and 2 in the private sector. In the same reference year there were 496 weavers. Co-operative

Societies in the District in which 8,700 handlooms and 15,773 powerlooms are installed at present there are 10 Industrial estates in the district. 3.7.2. Co-operation s General s

By the end of June 1992 there were 5724 Co-operative Societies of which 25% are credit societies, 48% are produce societies, 26% are social services societies and i% are marketing societies. Out of the credit societies 62% are Agricultural Credit Co-operative Societies. Out of Produce Societies 31% are

Milk Produce Co-operative Societies, 52% are of Workers Contrac­ tors Co-operative Societies.

Membership s

There are 9.63 lakhs members of Co-operative Societies of which 63% are of Credit Co-operative Societies and remaining

37% are of Non—credit Co—oerative Societies. Out of the Product Co-operative Societies 25% are Milk Produce Co-operativ Socie­ ties. Out of Social Co-operative Societies 54% are Consumer

Cooperative Societies.

Table 3.5 provides important variables of industry and co-operative of Solapur District and Maharashtra State. 53

TABLE 3.5 DIFFERENT VARIABLES OF INDUSTRY AND CO-OPERATION OF SOLAPUR DISTRICT AND MAHARASHTRA STATE (1992)

Sr. Solapur Maharashatra No. Particulars Unit District State

1. Industry

1. Registered Factories Numbers 2506 27465 2. Registered Factories Numbers 1913 24119 in which production is going on

3. Sugar factories Numbers OS 140 production in sugar Thousand 340 4124 factories M.Tonne

4. Spinning Mills Numbers OS 122 2. Co—operation

1. Co-operative Societies Numbers 5794 112023 2. Primary Agriculture Numbers 900 19729 Co-operative Societies

a) Mebers in PACS Numbers 346 8277

b) Loans advanced by Crores Rs . 48 775 PACS

3. Dairy Co-operatives Numbers S62 14669

Sources s 1. District Deputy Registrar (Co-operation)

2. Commissioner (Industry) Government of Maharashtra Bombay. 3. Commissioner (Co-operation) Government of Maharashtra, Bombay 4. District Deputy Registrar (Industry) Solapur District, Solapur. 5i

3.8. TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION I

The transport variables of the district are presented in table 3.6 and 3.7.

Communication a

By the end of 1991—92 there were S18 post offices and

187 telegraph offices in the district 487 villages were covered by postal services.

TABLE 3.6

NUMBER OF VEHICLES IN USE OF SOLAPUR DISTRICT

(31.03.1W21

Sr. No. Particulars Numbers

1. Motor Cycles and Scooters etc. 62556

2. Motor Cars/Jeeps 6511

3. Taxis 97

4. Rikshaws 2967

5. State Carriages 105

6. Trucks 1547

7. Public Vehicles 2798

8. Ambulances 48

9. School Buses 08

10. Trailers 3485

11. Tractors 2292

Source s 1. Deputy Regional Transport Officer, Solapur. 55

TABLE 3.7 DIFFERENT VARIABLES OF TRANSPORTATION OF SOLAPUR DISTRICT AND MAHARASHTRA STATE C31.3.1992)

Sr. Solapur Maharashatra No. Particulars Unit District State

1. Total length of the Railway Line K.M. 414 5440

2. No. of villages connected by roads Number 1065 N.A. 3. Total length of the roads K.M. 10648 174494 4. Length of the National Highway K.M. 160 2959 5. Length of the State Highways K.M. 1457 31076 6. Length of the Important District roads K.M. 2532 39316

7- Length of the other District roads K.M. 2095 39316

8. Length of the Rural roads K.M. 3727 62159

Sources : 1. Deputy Regional Transportation Officer, Solapur. 2. Divisional Superintendent, Central Railway, Solapur. 3. Divisional Superintendent, South Railway, Solapur 4. Superintedent Engineer, PWD, Solapur.

3.9.OTHER EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE SCHEME «

In the year 1991—92, 167 new works were started under this scheme 267 works were completed in this period. During this period Rs.621 lakhs were expended which resulted in the creation of 25.79 thousand mandays work. 56

BANKS s

By the end of 1991, there were 410 branches of sched­ uled and co-operative banks in the district, of which 51* were scheduled banks.

3.9 OTHER EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE SCHEME 3

In 1991-92 Rs.3634.37 lakhs were spent on different development programmes in the district of which 31 percent were expended for social and collective services, 26 percent for rural development and 24 percent for irrigation and flood control, 7 percent for communication and transportation, 5 percent on elec­ tricity development and remaining 7 percent were for other devel­ opment programmes. Water supply schemes for villages, cleanliness programmes were taken under social and collective services.

3.10. CONCLUSIONS s

From the above profile of Solapur District, one can conclude that,

1. Solapur District is dominated by rural population.

2. Solapur District comes under the drought prone areas of the

Maharashtra State, where the average rainfall is 23" which is also uncertain.

3. As regards the landholdings small farmers are dominating the pattern 57

4. Solapur district is surrounded by, Pune, Satara, Ahmadnagar and Usmanabad districts of Maharashtra.

5. Agriculture is the main occupatin of the rural population of the district.

6. The net work of industries and co-operation is relatively' poor as compared to Maharashtra State as a whole.