Wage Regulation in India; A Study of Kanpur by Sita Ram Rastogi; Popular Prakashan, 1977; pp 255; Rs 45.
THE book under review has as its primary object the evaluation of effectiveness of different methods of wage regulation in the context of policies laid down for the purpose since Independence. As claimed by the publisher, the evaluation of the type contained in the book is the first attempt of its kind. While this may be a claim which is difficult to sustain because of ample Indian references quoted by the author himself, the book does provide at one place the difficulties of translating into practice the principles of wage fixation laid down by the bodies entrusted with this responsibility. In brief, it seems to be an account of how the agreed arrangements at the macro level between governments and employers' and workers' organisations do not necessarily solve the problems at the plant or industry level in a local area. After a detailed analysis of some of the differences between principles developed and practices followed, the author has chosen to attempt the difficult task of applying the conclusions of his studies for evolving suggestions for a wage policy at the national level.
