Though the minimum wage fixed by the government for a farm labourer is Rs 60 per day, farm labourers in Palampur get paid much less, about 35 to 40 rupees a day. The reason for this is the competition for work among the agricultural labourers in the village. Knowing that supply is much more than the demand, they themselves agree to work for wages that are lower than minimum wages. The large farmers too exploit this condition of excess supply, and force labourers to work for low wages. The use of modern agricultural implements like tractors, threshers and harvesters also reduces the amount of agricultural labour required. This further intensifies the competition among the labourers looking for jobs.

Introduction:
Palampur is a small village in Himachal Pradesh, India. The majority of the population is engaged in agriculture, which is the primary source of income. However, the wages for farm laborers in Palampur are less than the minimum wages, and there are several reasons for this.

Lack of Education and Skills:
The majority of the farm laborers in Palampur are uneducated and lack the skills required to operate modern machinery. As a result, they are unable to demand higher wages, and farmers take advantage of their lack of skills and knowledge.

Dependency on Agriculture:
Agriculture is the primary source of income in Palampur, and there are limited job opportunities in other sectors. As a result, farm laborers have no option but to work for low wages as it is their only source of income.

Monopoly of Landlords:
The landlords in Palampur own most of the agricultural land, and they have a monopoly on the labor market. They dictate the wages for farm laborers, and due to the lack of competition, they can keep the wages low.

Seasonal Employment:
Agriculture is a seasonal occupation, and there is a demand for labor only during the sowing and harvesting seasons. The farm laborers have to find alternative sources of income during the off-season, and they cannot afford to demand high wages during the peak season.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the wages for farm laborers in Palampur are less than the minimum wages due to several factors, including lack of education and skills, dependency on agriculture, monopoly of landlords, and seasonal employment. These issues need to be addressed to ensure that the farm laborers receive fair wages for their hard work.