Why are there so many plumbers from Kendrapara? | The Indian Express

Why are there so many plumbers from Kendrapara? | The Indian Express

Written by Bibek Debroy |Updated: May 16, 2019 8:56:38 am

The writer is chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the PM. Views are personal.

Why are there so many plumbers from Kendrapara?

The Kendrapara model worked as it provided access to placement networks, even though those were informal. Formal training institutes are now challenging such on-the-job teaching avenues.

Migration studies for Kolkata, around the time of Independence, report Odia workers were employed in plumbing, gas and electrical works. (Representational Image)

There was a case in the Calcutta High Court in July 1947, an appeal actually. “One Dinesh Chandra Guha is alleged to have effected alteration in the water pipe of his house by persons who are not plumbers licensed by the municipality.” Hence, Guha violated the provisions of municipal laws. “The learned magistrate trying the case has found that the alteration was effected by Dinesh Chandra Guha employing certain Ooriya mistries. The magistrate also found that the Ooriya mistries were not licensed plumbers.” Plumbers from Odisha are not a new phenomenon, at least in Kolkata.