Modern Small Industry, 1972 and 1987-88-Aspects of Growth and Structural Change

Using the massive data made available in the report of the second census of modern small industrial units along with data from the first census, this paper attempts to highlight some aspects of growth and structural change in modern small industry over the 15-year period between 1972 and 1987-88, the reference years of the two censuses. The focus is on growth and size, structural change, closures and impact of the policy of reservation. The paper concludes with a discussion of the explanations for and implications of some of the more significant findings.