Socio-Economic Aspects of Bell Metal Industry Workers of Sarukhetri Block of Barpeta District, Assam

Bell metal industry is a traditional handicraft industry of Assam which has been providing a lot of utensils for the people of Assam since time immemorial. But the situation of artisans is deplorable as the industry has to face a lot of problems especially after liberalisation of Indian economy. The present paper tries to highlight the socio-economic conditions of the artisans of bell metal industry of Assam. From the field survey conducted at Sarthebari and its adjoining villages of Assam, it has been observed that the artisans are even unable to meet their basic necessities of life and therefore, many artisans have left this occupation in search of better one.