Establishments grew by 4.6%; high growth of tiny sectors: EC

New Delhi, May 29 (UNI) The 'Economic Census (EC) 2005' released here today by the government brought out that establishments registered a growth rate of 4.6 per cent per annum during the period 1998-2005 and highlighted that 95 per cent of them were having one to five workers.

The establishments employing six to nine workers constitute 3.4 per cent and those employing ten workers and more comprise 1.5 per cent of total establishments.

The survey report was launched by Dr Pranab Sen, Chief Statistician of India who commended the attempt of Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) to provide a frame of establishments engaged in various economic activities both in the organised and unorganised sectors of the economy.

Dr Sen said the field work of EC was carried out by States and Union Territories' employees and school teachers on honorarium basis.

He said all the revenue units in the rural areas and the urban frame survey blocks prepared by NSSO were taken as a basis enumeration block for the census.

During the period 1998-2005, the number of establishments increased from 30.35 million in 1998 to 41.83 million in 2005.

Among the states, maximum growth of establishments during the seven year period was observed in Mizoram (9.71 per cent), followed closely by Tripura (8.88 per cent), Kerela (8.69 per cent) and Tamil Nadu (8.84 per cent).

Highest growth rate of employment was observed in Jammu and Kashmir (6.82 per cent), followed by Andhra Pradesh (5.87 per cent), Kerela (5.86 per cent) and Haryana (5.35 per cent).

Dr Sen said the phenomenal growth of the tiny sector was a consequence of both ''push'' and ''pull'' factors.

While, there was extreme distress in the agriculture sector compelling people to take to self-employment by setting up tiny units, the growth of this sector is also explained by the huge entrepreneural spirit which prevades in India.

However, which of the two is more dominant is difficult to say but both factors are important, he said.

UNI GS-SBA SG VC1850