44E9. Dr. Ambedkar As The Member of Ex.Gov.Gen.Council QA

Dr. Ambedkar As The Member of Executive Governor General Council

Questions and Answers

______________________________________________

PART IX

From 14th September 1942 to 12th April 1946

391

Loss of Public Money in the ' Delhi Store Sub-Division Embezzlement Case '

719. Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer: (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please give the approximate amount of toss of public money in the ' Delhi Store Sub-Division Embezzlement Case ?

(b) Who were the culprits, and what action has so far been taken to bring them to book ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) There is no such case as " Delhi Store Sub-Division Embezzlement Case ". If the Honourable Member has in mind the case of alleged over payment in cartage of cement in Stores Sub-Division under Construction Division No. I, I can inform him that the matter is under investigation. (b) Does not arise.

Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer : Is it a fact that the S. D. 0. in question who embezzled two lakhs is still in service ?

Mr. President : Order, order. The Honourable Member has already staled that there was no embezzlement.

Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer: I entirely agree with the Honourable Member's reply. The point which he refers to is the same that a sum of two lakhs was overpaid.

Mr. President: My point is that the Honourable Member has replied that there is no case of embezzlement but only a case of overpayment. In his next question the Honourable Member need not again presume embezzlement—he can put a question on the over payment.

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: The matter is under investigation and unless and until the result of that investigation is known Government cannot take any action against the officer.

Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer: I ask whether the S. D. O. concerned who is responsible for this over-payment of 2 lakhs is still in service.

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: Of course he is.

Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer: Why ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Because the case is not yet proved against him.

Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer : In such cases where matters are under investigation is it not the practice to keep the officer concerned under suspension ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: Not unless we receive the report of the investigation.

Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer: Is it because he is of the Scheduled Caste ?

Haji Abdus Sattar Haji Seth : With regard to part (a) about the amount involved—cannot my friend tell me what the amount involved is ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I must have notice of the question. As regards Mr. Jaffer's question, I would like to inform the Honourable Member that the man does not belong to the Scheduled Castes.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : Even if he did belong to the Scheduled Caste, is it wrong not to suspend a man when there is a case against him ? Mr. President: Order, order—No argument. Sri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar: How long has this been under investigation and is it departmental or by the police ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : So far as I remember— I cannot say definitely—the matter of course is investigated by the C. D.

392

^[f.1] Grievances of Muslims Re : Appointments as Superintending Engineers

720. Mr. Muhammad Rahmat-Ullah: (a) Has the attention of the Honourable the Labour Member been drawn to the articles published in the Dawn of the 27th October, 12th November and 19th December, 1945 ? What action has been taken to redress the grievances of the Mussalmans ? If not, why not ?

(b) Is it not a fact that out of the fourteen Superintending Engineers only one is a Muslim ?

(c) Are Government aware that there are three qualified Executive Engineers in the Headquarters who are competent to hold the office of Superintending Engineer?

(d) Are Government aware that persons of less qualifications and standing of other communities have been appointed Superintending Engineers, if so, why were the claims of the Mussalmans ignored ?

(e) Are Government aware that an I. S. E. Muslim Executive Engineer was ignored and the chance of a Superintending Engineer in the Headquarters Office was given to an officer who has risen from the ranks and is to retire very shortly ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) I have seen the articles. The posts in the Central Public Works Department which are subject to the operation of the communal representation rules, are duly filled in accordance with the requirement of those rules. It is, however, not possible to earmark individual posts for officers of a particular community. (b) Yes.

(c) It is not clear which Executive Engineers the Honourable Member referring to. None of the Executive Engineers of the Central Public Works Department who are posted in Delhi have, however, become due for promotion to the rank of Superintending Engineer.

(d) and (e) The posts of Superintending Engineer are Selection Posts and appointments to these are made purely on the basis of merit. In filling these posts the claims of all eligible Executive Engineers are considered and the officer who is considered to be most suitable is appointed. The case of the I. S. E. Muslim Officer mentioned by the Honourable Member was also duly considered.

393

^[f.2] Grant of Money for Taming River Kosi in Bihar

734. Shri Satya Narayan Sinha: (a) Is the Honourable the Labour Member aware that the Governor General, during his last tour of Bihar, had flown to the area devastated by the vagaries of the river Kosi and that he was so much impressed with the pitiable situation obtaining there that he decided to move the Central Government for granting an adequate amount for taming the river and thus to save the lives and properties of the millions of the people concerned ? If so, what is being done in that regard ?

(b) Has any project been made ready ? If not, what steps are being taken to expedite the matter which concerns the question of life and death for millions of people ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The Governor General during a recent tour did fly over the area devastated by the Kosi floods and did cause a communication to be sent to the Labour Department emphasising the importance of controlling the river as early as possible.

(b) The Central Waterways, Irrigation and Navigation Commission are conducting the investigations. They have with the permission of the government of Nepal started aerial and ground surveys and the geological and hydrotogical investigations for the purpose. Investigation is being conducted with a view to planning the control of the Kosi by means of a storage dam in the Nepal Himalayas. Such dam will not only store surplus flood water and the large volumes of coarse silt carried by it and so prevent the damage at present caused by Kosi floods but it is hoped will also provide water for perennial irrigation of an area estimated at 3 million in both Nepal and Bihar and also will offer opportunities for the generation of cheap hydro-electric power. The investigation is being treated as one of high priority.

394

^[f.3] Loss to Junior Copyholders in Government Press, New Delhi

740. Maulana Zafar Ali Khan: (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member kindly state whether it is a fact that in the Government of India Press, New Delhi many Junior Readers are sustaining a toss of Rs. 10 or Rs. 5 per month in their promotion from the post of a Copyholder to that of a Junior Reader, and that the rate of increment too is Rs. 5 per annum in the case of Copyholders whereas Rs. 3 only for Junior Readers ?

(b) What steps do Government propose to take to compensate them for their monetary toss and redress the anomaly in the existing rates of pay of a Copyholder and a Junior Reader ?

(c) Is it also a fact that the arrears of the unified scale of pay to Copyholders sanctioned in the month of July, 1945, still remain unpaid, in spite of there being several representations in person ?

(d) What are the reasons therefor, and do Government propose to give any compensation for such delay under the Payment of Wages Act ? If not, why not ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) Yes, in the case of those Copyholders who chose the unified scale of pay and were later promoted as Junior Readers. (b) The question is under consideration. (c) Yes.

(a) Although issued in July 1945 the orders had retrospective effect from September 1st 1944. Time had to be allowed to the employees concerned to elect for the unified scale. -Then the pay of those who chose the scale had to be fixed allowing each the benefit of past service to the extent of three years. The accounts authorities are pre-auditing the bills. Payment will be made shortly. The reply to the latter portion of the question is in the negative.

395

^[f.4] Muslim Gazetted Officers in Estate Office

741. Khan Bahadur Makhdum Al-Haj Syed Shcr Shah Jeelani : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member kindly state the existing number of the Gazetted posts in the Estate Office, New Delhi ? (b) How many out of them are being held by Muslims ? (c) Is the Honourable Member aware of the fact that in 1943 it was decided by the Labour Department in consultation with the Home Department that the posts of the Assistant Estate Officers will be filled by promotion from amongst the highly qualified Superintendents of the Central Public Works Department ? If so, does the Honourable Member propose to see that the policy once laid down is adhered to ?

(d) Do Government propose to see that the post now vacant which was reserved for a Muslim is under the rules filled by another Muslim in replacement ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) Five. (b) None at present.

(c) Although prior to the separation of the Estate Office from the Central Public Works Department Organisation, the normal method of recruitment to the post of Assistant Estate Officer in the office of the Chief Engineer was by selection and promotion from among the Superintendents in that office, this position has since changed. The Estate Office now is not a part of Central Public Works Department but is directly under Labour Department. The Superintendents in the Chief Engineer's Office have therefore no claim now as of right for promotion to the post of Assistant Estate Officer in the Estate Office, but their cases may also be considered on merits when filling any of these posts.

(d) The question as to how the post which is now vacant should be filled is still under consideration.

Mr. Muhammad Nauman : With reference to Part (b) may I know how these five posts were filled and were there no Muslims who could be considered fit to occupy these posts ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I must have notice of this question.

396

^[f.5] Stoppage of Employment of Forced Labour

743. Sri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar: Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state: (a) the extent of forced labour in this country, (b) what steps, if any, Government propose to take to stop the employment of forced labour in this country,

(c) whether any steps have been taken by Government to fix a minimum standard of wages for agricultural and industrial labourers in several parts of this country, and

(d) whether Government is proposing to take any steps either by legislation or otherwise to see that labour is adequately and regularly paid, if so, what, if not, why not ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) No detailed information is available.

(b) The attention of the Honourable Member is drawn to the reply given to Starred Question No. 381 of Professor N. G. Ranga, on 20th February 1946.

(d) The proposed minimum wage legislation will provide for fixing minimum wages and for ensuring payment of wages at not less than the rates fixed.

397

^[f.6] Muslims for Advance Training in Electrical Engineering

747. Seth Yusuf Abdoola Haroon: Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state—

(a) the number of Electrical Engineers selected by the Electrical Commissioner on behalf of the Labour Department and deputed overseas for advance training in the Electrical Engineering last year, (b) the number of Muslims thus selected, (c) if it is a fact that this selection was made without the publicity being given through the Press, if so, why, and

(d) if the Muslim quota has not been kept up in the last batch, whether the Honourable Member proposes to give an assurance that a larger number of Muslims will be included in the next selection ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Selected—10, Deputed overseas—9 (b) One.

(c) The Provinces and major States were apprised of the scheme for training of Indians abroad and asked to make a preliminary selection of suitable candidates. 24 names were put forward by them of whom 22 appeared for interview and ten selected.

There was therefore no necessity to give publicity to the scheme in the Press.

(d) The Provinces and Major States recommended only one Muslim for selection and he was selected by Government. As such, the latter portion of this part of the question does not arise.

398

^[f.7] Appointments to the Post of Administrative Officer, Central P.W.D.

752. Sardar Mangal Singh: Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state—

(a) the number of persons who have successively held the post of Administrative Officer, Central Public Works Department so far, (b) to which community each one belonged, (c) whether it is a fact that no Sikh or a Hindu has so far been appointed to this post, if so, why, and

(d) if he proposes to consider the advisability of appointing a Sikh to the post which is now lying vacant, if not, why not ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) Four.

(b) The communities to which the Officers belonged were as follows—

(1) Anglo-Indian

(2) Muslim.

(3) Anglo-Indian

(4) Muslim.

(c) Yes. The orders regarding communal representation in the public services are not applied singly to the post of Administrative Officer but to all Class I posts in the Central P.W.D. taken together. It is, therefore, not possible to ensure that the post of Administrative Officer is filled by a member of a particular community. (d) The question of filling the post is still under consideration.

399

^[f.8] Application of Payment of Wages Act to Jodhpur Railway

756. Seth Slikhdev : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state—

(a) whether it is a fact that the provisions of the Payment of Wages Act IV of 1936 apply to the portion of the Jodhpur Railway running through British India, if so, why the Conciliation Officer (Railways) and the Supervisor of Railway Labour's annual reports for three years 1941-44., published in the Indian Labour Gazette, contain no reference to Jodhpur Railway, and

(b) if the information in regard to the inspection of the British portion of the Jodhpur Railway is available for these years whether the Honourable Member proposes to lay a statement on the table of the House giving the following information for the Jodhpur Railway—

(1) the number of staff (i) adults, (ii) children, (iii) substitutes and (iv) total wages paid to them,

(2) the number of employees fined and the amount of fine recovered,

(3) the number of employees debited with toss or damage of goods and the amount so recovered, and

(4) the number of inspections held and irregularities noted ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) The answer to first part of the question is in the affirmative. The note published in the Indian Labour Gazette contains of the Payment of Wages Act on Railways.

(b) (1) to (3) A statement containing the available information is placed on the table of the House. (4) The information is not readily available. Statement showing the staff employed by the Jodhpur Railway Administrations in factories and otherwise than in factories in the British Section of the Railway according to the returns submitted in pursuance of the provisions of Rule 17 of the Payment of Wages (Federal Railway) Rules 1938.

	1941-42	1942-43	1943-44
Total number of persons employed
Adults	1901	1933	2024
Children	Nil	Nil	Nil
Total wages paid	Rs.582379	Rs.635938	Rs.621433
Number of employees fined	128	102	140
Amount of fine recovered	Rs.41	Rs.31	Rs.48
Number of employees debited with loss or damage of goods	1102	112	1303
Amount recovered for damage	Rs.1287	Rs.1129	Rs.1985

400

^[f.9] Disposal of U. S. Army Chapel in New Delhi

764. Sri S. T. Adityan : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state whether the U. S. Army Chapel, Parliament Street, New Delhi, is going to be surrendered to Government, if so, what Government propose to do with it ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: Yes, the matter is now under consideration.

401

^[f.10] Release of Personnel from Government Departments

769. Mr. Manu Subedar: (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state the total number of men, temporary and permanent, who are to be released in 1946 from (i) the War Department, including Army, Navy and Air Force (ii) Railways, and (iii) other Departments of Government ?

(b) Is it a fact that some of them have put in exemplary service and are being now released ?

(d) What special works do Government propose to set up for getting these men re-absorbed ?

(e) Is it a fact that, simultaneously while Indians from various services are being thrown out of work, Britishers are being recruited for other services ?

(f) Have Government considered the desirability of stopping such recruitment and taking Indians by giving them an opportunity to adapt themselves for other work for which fresh recruitment is started ?

(g) 70 per cent of posts ordinarily filled by direct recruitment occurring in Central Government and in the various Provincial Governments, and what is the machinery devised by Government to make necessary arrangements ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) The information is not readily available. It is being collected and will be laid on the table in due course. (b) Yes.

(c) Instructions have been issued requiring Departments to arrange for the registration at Employment Exchange of discharged personnel and directing them to fill vacancies as far as possible through Employment Exchanges.

(b) Central and Provincial Governments are embarking on schemes selected out of the five-year plans with the special object of counteracting any tendency to deflation and unemployment. These include productive schemes and schemes of economic importance which may not be self-financing, e.g. minor irrigation, roads, anti-erosion, agricultural measures, forests, etc. The two categories will provide inter alia considerable scope for building works, training and research, resettlement of ex-servicemen. Some other schemes, outside the five-year plan, e.g. public health schemes, especially anti-malarial measures, water supply and drainage schemes, which will provide a considerable volume of employment, are also being taken up.

(e) No, except in those cases where specialists are required for particular appointments or the number is small and is required in the public interest. (f) Does not arise.

(g) 70 per cent of posts ordinarily filled by direct recruitment occurring between the 20th June 1942 and 31st December 1945, have been reserved for ' war service ' candidates. Information regarding proportion of vacancies reserved by various Provincial Governments is not readily available. Applications for war reserved Vacancies in the superior services have been invited from candidates and the last date of the receipt of applications was 15th February 1946 in respect of vacancies in non-technical services and 1st April 1946 in respect of vacancies in technical services. Candidates for technical services will be interviewed by the Federal Public Service Commission who will make a final selection. Candidates for the non-technical services will be first tested by Selection Boards of the type used by the War Department for recruiting officers for Commissions and subsequently interviewed by the F.P.S.C. who will make a final selection. In respect of vacancies in the Subordinate and Inferior Service arrangements have been made to receive applications from ex-servicemen after they are demobilised.

402

^[f.11] Conditions of Service of Staff in Viceregal Estates Division

70. Sardar Mangal Singh : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state the detailed conditions of service, i.e., scale of pay, other free concessions granted and the place of duty, etc., under which the clerical and subordinate staff used to be employed in the Viceregal Estates Division at Simla or Delhi prior to the 14th July 1946?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: A statement is laid on the table. (See p. 988).

403

^[f.12] Application of Hours of Employment Regulations to Jodhpur Railway

71. Seth Sukhdev : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state :

(a) whether the Hours of Employment Regulations apply to the Jodhpur Railway portion running through the British India,

(b) if the reply to (a) above be in the affirmative, why no reference to it is made in the Conciliation Officer and Supervisor of Railway Labour's report for three years 1941-44, published in the issue of the Indian Labour Gazette for December 1945, and

(c) whether the Honourable Member will please lay on the table of the House a statement showing the following information for the British portion of the Jodhpur Railway, separately, for three years, 1941-44—

(i)the number of staff employed,

(ii) the number of staff affected by the regulations,

(iii) the number of staff classed as continuous workers,

(iv) the number of staff classed as ' essentially intermittent workers ',

(v) the number of staff excluded, (

(vi) the percentage of staff enjoying calendar day's rest,

(vii) the number of inspections held,

(viii) the number of cases in which the classification was challenged by the Labour Inspectorate,

(ix) the number of doubtful cases which were referred to the Labour Department of the Government of India for decision, and

(x) the number of employees discovered working beyond restored hours (i) habitually and (ii) occasionally ?

STATEMENT (See S. No. 403, reply by Dr. Ambedkar to Q. No. 70)

Sr. No.	Name	Designation	Scale of Pay	Pay at the time of transfers from the viceregal Estates	Nature of free Concessions enjoyed	Place of duty
1	Mr. Hussain Ali	Sanitary Overseer	Rs. 80—7—255	Rs. 241	Rent-free accommodation and exemption from payment of taxes, water rates and lighting charges.	New Delhi
2	Mr. Shiv Saran Das	Building Supervisor	200-10-400	340	„	if
3	Mr. B. G. Mathur	,,	„	290	„	Simla
4	Mr. B. C. Banerjee	"	»	200	„	Calcutta
5	Mr. Mohan Lal	Draftsman	60-5-150	130	„	New Delhi
6	Mr. Madho Narain	Sub-Overseer	75-4-95-5-150	135	"	Simla
7	Mr. P. N. Chatterjee	Electrical Supervisor	200-KMOO	400	»»	>t

1. Retired

2. Since Died

3. Retired

4-7 No more in the Voceregal Estate Division

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The answer is in the negative. (b) Does not arise. (c) Information is not readily available.

404

^[f.13] Statutory Rules re Inspections of Railway Contractors' Labour

72. Seth Slikhdev : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to stale :

(a) whether his attention has been drawn to a remark in the report of the Conciliation Officer (Railways) and Supervisor of Railway Labour, for the years 1941-44, published in the Indian Labour Gazette for November, 1945 to the effect that the Labour Inspectorate appointed under the Payment of Wages Act, was handicapped in the inspection of Railway Contractor's Labour Establishments in the absence of statutory rules requiring contractors to maintain registers of wages, fines and deductions, and

(b) whether it is proposed to amend the statutory rules, if so, when, if not, why not ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The answer is in the affirmative. (b) The matter is under consideration.

405

^[f.14] Factories (Amendment) Bill Presentation of the Report of the Select Committee

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member) : Sir, I present the Report of the Select Committee on the Bill further to amend the Factories Act, 1934.

406

^[f.15] Housing Conditions of Labourers Employed by Central P.W.D. and Building Contractors in New Delhi

867. Shri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please slate :

(a) the number of labourers employed directly under the Central Public Works Department and by building contractors in New Delhi for the construction of buildings in New Delhi and near about,

(b) if it is a fact that these labourers are housed in miserable ill-ventilated hovels, exposed to the vagaries of the weather all the time in sun, and rain and cold, and

(c) if the answer to (b) above is in the affirmative, what steps he proposes to take in order to provide them with cheap and sanitary housing arrangements, if none, why ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) About 12,000 labourers are employed directly under the C.P.W.D. whereas the number of labourers employed by the building contractors varies with the magnitude of the building programme.

(b) Some of the C.P.W.D. labourers have been allotted Government quarters and others have made their own arrangements for residential accommodation.

As regards the labourers employed by the contractors, about 9,000 live in their houses in the urban area of Delhi. The remaining labourers who come from outside either come to the work daily from their villages or are accommodated by the contractors at the site of the works in thatched huts which give them a certain amount of protection against sun, rain and cold.

(c) The Government have already considered the question of providing permanent accommodation to the labourers employed by the contractors and are considering the development of model bustees in the villages near Delhi, from which labour comes. Government's scheme for subsidised housing for the poorer sections of the people should also assist in the provision of better housing for contractors' labourers.

The question of providing housing facilities to C.P.W.D. labourers who have not been provided with Government accommodation is under Government's active consideration.

407

^[f.16] Making Mica a Central Subject

890. Shri Satya Narayan Sinha : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state whether it is a fact that the British Parliament is going to amend the Government of India Act in such a way as to make Mica a Central subject ?

(b) If so, will the Honourable Member kindly have it postponed till the representative Government is ushered in Bihar, which is a question of a few weeks ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) A bill has been introduced in the British Parliament to amend the Government of India Act in such a way as to give the Centre power to make laws in regard to certain matters including Mica for the transitional period from War to Peace.

(b) For the long period Government are considering the introduction of legislation in this House with reference to Item 36 of List I of the Government of India Act to bring certain aspects of Mica under Central Control.

408

^[f.17] Grievances of Employees of Government Press, Aligarh

896. Pandit Sri Krishna Dutt Paliwal : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state :

(a) whether the employees of the Government Press, Aligarh, have given notice of strike, if so, what are their grievances and demands,

(b) if Government intend to give them a minimum living wage, if so, when, and how much,

(c) the amenities provided to them such a bathing facilities, outdoor games, education of children, provision of quarters and medical aid,

(d) their working period per week, and whether Government propose to reduce these hours to 40 per week,

(e) if Government propose to supply them foodgrains at concession rates similar to those enjoyed by the Delhi Press and other Government Departments, and

(f) whether Government intend to abolish the piece wage system and introduce monthly pay on the basis of the wages earned by the employees at present ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes. The grievances are :

(i) reduction made by the Government of U. P. in the rationing of wheat, (ii) revision of pay and grades,

(iii) concessional rates of foodgrains on the lines of concession allowed to Government servants in Delhi, (iv) abolition of piece rates, (v) revision of working hours, and (vi) provision of quarters.

The immediate cause of the notice of a strike is the reduction in wheat rationing.

(b) The question is a general one which is engaging the attention of Government.

(c) No facilities exist at present other than for outdoor games and medical attendance. The question of granting other facilities is under consideration.

(d) The weekly working hours are 48. The question whether a reduction is advisable is being considered.

(e) No. The Employees of the Aligarh Press get foodgrains at concession rates on the lines of the U. P. Government's orders.

(0 The present policy of Government is to substitute gradually lime scales of pay for both piece rates as opportunities occur.

409

^[f.18] Certain Promotions of Junior Readers in Government of India Presses

900. Hajee Chowdhury Mohammad Ismail Khan : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state the basis on which Junior Readers in all the Government of India Presses are promoted to the post of Senior Readers ?

(b) Is it a fact that certain departmental employees who passed the Readership Examination at an earlier date and entered the Junior Reader's grade earlier have been superseded not only in the Junior Reader's grade but also in the Senior Reader's grade, by those who entered the Junior Reader's grade later, in any of the Government of India Presses ?

(c) Is it also a fact that certain qualified Copyholders who have greater length of total service as Junior Readers at their credit, have been declared Junior in the Junior Reader's grade, to those who have lesser length of total service as Junior Readers and who failed to qualify in the Readership Examination in which they appeared atong with the former ?

(d) Is it a fact that Copyholders who have put in greater length of total service in copyholder's posts have been treated as Senior ?

(e) Does the Honourable Member propose to consider the desirability of filling up Senior Reader's posts on the basis of total length of service in the Junior Reader's grade ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Arnbedkar : (a) Except for the post of Head Reader which has been declared a " selection post ", the basis for the promotion of Readers from one grade to another is seniority cum fitness.

(b) and (c) Yes, in those cases where Senior Copyholders qualified in the readers' examination before the confirmation as reader of their juniors who qualified earlier. The examination being a qualifying one, it is the length of service and not the date of passing the examination that determines seniority for the purpose of appointment as readers.

(d) Yes, upto April 1943, after which seniority is determined by the length of continued service.

(e) As stated in (a) above, this is already being done except in certain selection posts of Head Readers in different Presses which are filled by selection on merit.

410

^[f.19] Muslim Section Holders and Overseers in Government Press, New Delhi

904. Hajee Chowdhury Muhammad Ismail Khan : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please slate the total number of permanent and temporary posts of Overseers and Section holders in the Government of India Press, New Delhi, and how many of them are at present held by Muslims ?

(b) What are the duties and functions of the various Overseers in the said Press ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) 7 Overseers, 12 Section holders. Of the seven Overseers' posts, two are held by Muslims. One is vacant. Four out of the 12 posts of Section holders are held by Muslims. (b) An Overseer is entirely responsible for—

(i) maintaining quality and quantity of the outturn of the operatives working under him,

(ii) keeping the sections under him fully occupied with work, (iii) expeditious handling and economical production of work, (iv) careful scrutiny of all overtime requisitions and keeping overtime down to a minimum, and (v) ensuring equitable distribution of work among the operatives.

A non-technical Overseer is responsible for strict supervision over most secret and confidential work at all stages in the Press.

411

^[f.20] Officiating Promotion of Rai Sahib C. P. Mallik as Superintending Engineer

907. Dr. Sir Zia Ahmad : (a) With reference to his reply to starred question No. 599, dated the 28th February 1946, regarding Rai Sahib C. P. Mallik carrying on the work of Superintending Engineer will the Honourable the Labour Member please state the significance of asking an Executive Engineer to carry on the work without appointment ?

(b) Does the person so invited carry on the duties of his substantive appointment as Executive Engineer ? If so, does he send his reports as an Executive Engineer to himself as Superintending Engineer ? If not, to whom are his reports sent ? If not, will the Honourable Member explain the difference between appointment and carrying on the work ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) and (b). The significance of the arrangement is that officer does not draw the pay of a Superintending Engineer but draws only a small extra allowance for holding current charge of the routine duties of the higher post in addition to his own duties as Executive Engineer. His reports as Executive Engineer are submitted to the next higher officer, i.e., the Chief Engineer.

This arrangement has the full sanction of administrative Rules and usage.

412

^[f.21] Efforts to Find Muslims for Certain Posts in Administrative Side of Central P.W.D.

908. Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad: (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to slate whether he has approached a person of the Scheduled Class to accept the office of Administrative Officer ? If so, who is the person, and what was his reply ?

(b) Did he make any attempt to find a suitable Muslim ? (c) Has the Honourable Member decided to fill up all the posts of officers in the Administrative side of the Central Public Works Department by Hindus and members of the Scheduled Caste? If not, what steps has he taken to find out suitable officer to fill up the post of Administrative Officer ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) No. Does not arise. (b) Does not arise.

413

^[f.22] Employment of Unemployed Women in Coal Mines

1008. Prof. N. G. Ranga : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to stale :

(a) whether any efforts are made and if so, what they are to provide alternate employment to those women who had been working in coal mines and who are unemployed since the 1st February,

(b) why Government allow employers to utilise the services of contractors to provide some work for some of those unemployed women,

(c) the wages paid to these women by Contractors, and (d) why Government refuse to continue the grant to their families on the account of these women, of the additional half a seer of free rice, half a seer of free milk and concessions in purchasing rice and dal, in view of the fact that male members of their families are working in the mines ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Attention of the Honourable Member is invited to the answer given in reply to part (b) of starred question No. 466, on the 25th February 1946.

(b) Contractors are employed for building, sand loading and unloading, brick making, etc., and some women excluded from the underground working have been employed on these classes of work, which are always let on contract.

(c) The earnings of women so employed are between 10 to 12 annas a day excluding half a seer free rice and a bonus of two annas for each attendance.

(d) The additional ration concessions are only given to coal mine workers.

The concession regarding free supply of milk to women workers employed underground in coalmines was prescribed as a compensatory measure in connection with the removal of ban on their employment underground. Consequent on the reimposition of the ban from 1st February 1946, the concession has ceased to be in force from that date.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : In regard to the question of concession in purchasing rice and dal, why should it not be continued now in regard to those women who are now to work on the surface but who previously used to work underground ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : As I said in my reply those privileges were given when they used to work underground. As soon as the ban has been re-imposed, there is no justification for giving them this compensatory allowance.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : The other day the Secretary to the Honourable Member was saying that some protective measures were being taken in order to protect the workers from the vagaries of these contractors. Are we to understand that from being exploited ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I did not understand who said that.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : The Honourable Member's Secretary, Mr. Joshi, said that the contractors are being entertained here and through those contractors these women are being employed. Are we to understand that sufficient measures are being taken by Government to protect these women from being exploited by these contractors ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : All I can say is that if the Honourable Member will put down a specific question, I will get an answer.

Diwan Chaman Lall : Has the Government insisted on a fair wages clause in the contract ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : So far as my information goes, that clause has been inserted in the contracts.

Mr. Manu Subedar : What steps Government are taking generally to examine the problem that the contractor may be eliminated and the labour should work directly for the employer ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : That matter is under examination.

Diwan Chaman Lall : My question related to the fair wages clause being inserted in the contracts of these women workers ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : That has not been done so far, it may be considered.

414

^[f.23] Construction of a Dam Across the Laxmanatritha River

1009. Shri D. P. Karmarkar : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to stale :

(a) whether the construction of a dam across the Laxmanatritha river in Coorg is contemplated, and whether the said project is being taken up in expectation of irrigation about 30,000 acres of land,

(b) whether the Mysore Government have raised objections to the said scheme,

(d)whether the Government of India have arrived at a decision in the matter, if so, what that decision is, if not, whether Government propose to arrive at an early decision to enable the Coorg Government to proceed with the speedy execution of the project ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes, but the project as prepared in 1942 was estimated to irrigate only about 3,000 acres. (b) Information is not available, it is being called for. (c) and (d) The project was examined but it was found to be wanting in certain technical aspects. The Chief Commissioner, Coorg, was asked to revise the project in the light of the technical advice and also to enquire of the neighbouring State whether they had any objection to its execution. The revised project has not so far been received from the Chief Commissioner, Coorg, though it is included in the five year post-war plan of the Coorg Administration.

415

^[f.24] Altocation of Expenditure for Employment and Resettlement Directorate

1017. Mr. Vadilal Lalllibhai : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state :

(a) the expenditure allocated for the Employment and Resettlement Directorate, separately, as between the centre and regional centres,

(b) the strength of the staff at these different centres, (c) the total number of ex-servicemen that have registered their names at these centres for employment and

(d) for how many of these ex-servicemen suitable alternative employment has been found by the Directorate ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The question is not clear but presumably the Honourable Member wants to know the annual estimated expenditure on the Directional and Administrative staff of the Directorate-General of Resettlement and Employment during the year 1946-47. It is as follows :—

Headquarter 27,14,800

Regional Centres 1,08,32.500

Total 1,35,47,300

For details reference is invited to the Budget estimates for 1946-47. The expenditure on Regional and Sub-Regional Employment Exchanges will be shared between the Centre and Provinces in the proportion of 60 and 40 respectively.

(b) Detailed statements showing the number of posts sanctioned for the Central and Regional sections of the organisation and the number of posts Filled so far are given at Appendix I to the Progress Report of the Directorate-General of Resettlement and Employment for the period 18th July to 31st December 1945 a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

(c) The Employment Exchanges are responsible for the registration and placement of not only demobilised services personnel but also discharged war workers. The total number of persons registered at the Employment Exchange and the Resettlement and Employment offices up to 31st December 1945, was 50,658 out of which 29,925 were Ex-Servicemen. It may be pointed out in this connection that the second phase of demobilisation started only on the 15th November 1945. According to the forecast of Army Release nearly 15,00,000 persons will be demobilised up to the end of March 1947. It is difficult at this stage to estimate as how many out of these persons will require Resettlement and Employment assistance.

(d) The total number of persons placed in employment up to 31st December 1945 by Employment Exchanges and Resettlement and Employment offices was 9,516. Out of these 2,841 were Ex-Servicemen.

416

^[f.25] Contract Works to Muslims and Non-Muslims by Central P.W.D.

1021. Seth Yusuf Abdoola Haroon: Will the Honourable the Labour Member kindly place on the table of the House a comparative statement showing the amount of contract works given by tenders and by work orders, separately, to Muslim and Non-Muslim contractors in the construction Division No. HI New Delhi ' A ' Division, New Delhi ' B ' Division, Provincial Division and Special Division No. I, of the Central Public Works Department in New Delhi, during the last three years by the present Executive Engineers, or by their predecessors.

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: The information asked for is not readily available and the lime and labour involved in collecting it would be incommensurate with the value of the result.

Seth Yusuf Abdoola Haroon : May I know from the Honourable Member why is he not prepared to reveal this information. I have definite information that the contracts given to Mussalman in this Branch were very low.

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : If my Honourable friend has the information, I do not know why he is troubling me.

Seth Yusuf Abdoola Haroon: I am troubling the Honourable Member because our cause is being hit and Muslims are being ignored by the Honourable Member's Department, and I want to reveal that case on the floor of the House.

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I have nothing to add to the reply I have given.

Seth Yusuf Abdoola Haroon : Will the Honourable Member see his way to place this information on the table of the House at a later stage ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I cannot do it.

Shri Sri Prakasa : Has the Honourable Member lost his temper ?

Mr. President: Order, Order. Next question.

417

^[f.26] Sale by Government of India of Eastern and Western Houses in New Delhi

1131. Seth Govind Das : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to slate:

(a) Whether Government have noticed the news in the Hindustan Times of the 4th February 1946, that the While Hall was putting pressure on the Government of India to purchase the Western House and 11 ie Eastern House on the Curzn Road and Asoka Road, respectively, if so, what reply, if any, has been given by the Government of India, and (b) Whether the Government of India consider that the price obtained for the material would be only a fraction of the purchase price ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes. In this connection I would refer the Honourable Member to my answer to parts (a) and (b) of the Honourable Mr. Venkatasubba Reddiar short notice question No. 23 of the 8th February, 1946.

(b) The purchase price has not yet been settled but the price of the materials on the demolition of the building will necessarily be very small as compared with the price of the building.

Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer: In reply to part (a) the Honourable Member said 'yes '. Does that mean that pressure was brought to bear from Whitehall?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: No.

Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer : What does the answer ' yes ' to part (a) mean ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: It means that I have noticed the news in the Hindustan Times.

Mr. President: Next question.

418

^[f.27] Threatened Strike in Government Press, Aligarh

1134. Shri Mohan Lal Saksena : Will the Honourable the Labour

Member be pleased to state if he is aware of a notice of strike given

by the employees of the Government Press, Aligarh ? (b) Is it a fact that the employees are being paid Rs. 12, Rs. 14

and Rs. 15 per month ? (c) Is he also aware of their other grievances with regard to pay,

amenities, working hours and supply of rations ? (d) What action has the Government of India taken or propose to

take to meet the demands of the workers ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) Yes. (b) Yes, certain categories of employees. (c) Yes.

(d) The grievances are receiving attention. Attention of the Honourable Member is invited in this connection to the reply given to the starred question No. 896, on the 12th March, 1946.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : With reference to part (b) of this question, how many hundreds of these workers are being paid only 12 or 14 or 15 rupees per month ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I am afraid I have not got the facts here.

Prof. N. G. Runga : Is it one of the proposals of the Government to increase the salaries of these people who are so low paid ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: My Honourable friend knows that the Government has appointed a salaries commission which look into this case generally.

Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad: Is the Honourable gentleman aware of the fact that the University of Aligarh pays a minimum salary of Rs. 30 per month to the low paid staff?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I congratulate my Honourable friend on that.

Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad: It is no question of congratulation to me or condolance to you—this is the minimum standard for living— we cannot starve our own employees.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : Why is it necessary for the Government to wait until that particular commission reports about the salaries in general of all employees and servants in the Government of India, before they can think of increasing these pitiful salaries of 12 and 14 and 15 rupees per month?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: The Government's intention is that they should have a general policy based on some uniform principle, and that policy cannot certainly be brought into execution unless the matter has been examined by a Commission.

Seth Govind Das : By what dale is the report of this Commission bring in ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I am unable to say but Government propose to expedite this matter.

Seth Govind Das : By that time these people will be starving. Does Government think that till then these people should go on getting this 12 or 14 or 15 rupees per month?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The Government has no such intention.

Shri Mohan Lal Saksena: Will Government consider the advisability of giving them some temporary relief until the recommendations are received ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : As I said, the grievances are receiving attention.

Shri Mohan Lal Saksena : How long will they take to decide ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The matter is under active consideration.

Shri Mohan Lal Saksena : Is it not a fact that press employees have gone on strike in other places ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Yes, that is so but they are working elsewhere, I understand.

Shri Mohan Lal Saksena : Will the Honourable Member see that temporary relief is granted before they are forced to resort to a strike ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I cannot give any time limit.

Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer : Is it not a fact that the words " under active consideration " usually indicate that there is no time limit, as far as my Honourable friends are concerned ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I do not think so.

419

^[f.28]Surface Work for Women Workers in Coal Mines

1138. Prof. N. G. Ranga: Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state:

(a) how many of the twenty thousand women workers withdrawn from underground in coal mines have been provided with work on the surface;

(b) whether he will enquire how many of the women withdrawn from underground in the State Railway collieries have been fully employed on the surface on a permanent basis, and how many with six days employment in the week; and

(c) how many of these women have come to be employed by the Welfare Fund mentioned in answer to starred question No. 466, dated the 25th February, 1946 and how many by Provincial Governments ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Exact figures are not available but approximately 50 per cent of the women workers withdrawn from underground in coal mines have been provided with work on surface. Of the remaining 50 per cent about half have gone to their villages while some of the remainder are sitting down at collieries because they are refusing contract work, e.g. coal loading.

(b) All women withdrawn from underground in the State Railways' Collieries have been fully employed on surface works on a permanent basis; 1,060 women employed on six days per week basis.

(c) No women have yet been employed by the Welfare Fund but sites are being requisitioned for the establishment of vegetable gardens and farms in the Jharia and Raniganj Coalfields and after requisition it is intended that women excluded from underground works will be employed under Head " Malis " appointed by Welfare Fund. The number of women which will be employed by the Provincial Governments is not known at present.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : In regard to the women who are obliged to stay at home because they do not like to work under the terms of contract work, what steps do Government propose to take in order to help these women with some employment without the mediation of these contractors ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I cannot give an off hand answer.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : Why do Government fail to provide work without the mediation of these contractors ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : This practice has been going on for a long time in State railway collieries.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : Is it not a fact that the Royal Commission on Labour reported very strongly against the system of contractors. Will the Honourable Member devise some system to control the vagaries of these contractors ? Do not Government take urgent steps to devise some other means of providing employment to these women ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I hope we shall be able to deal with that matter.

Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer : Will the Honourable Member consider the question of submitting this to the Coal Commission that is about to tour India ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I do not know that I can do so. I can bring the matter to the notice of the Department concerned.

420

^[f.29] Ban on Contractors Related to Officers of C.P.W.D.

1143. Shri Satya Narayan Sinha : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state if it is a fact that in the Central Public Works Department, orders have been issued that contracts for works should not be awarded to any contractor who is a close relative of any officer employed in the Department ?

(b) Is it a fact that near relatives include cousins, brother-in-law, etc. and that officer includes for the purpose of this order Head Clerks, clerks, draftsmen, surveyors, etc. ?

(d) Does any such rule exist in the working of Public Works Departments in provinces or other countries or in Departments like Military Engineering Service, Railways, Municipal or District Boards in India ?

(e) Was the order issued under directions of the Government of India or by the Chief Engineer, Central P.W.D. on his own initiative ?

(c) In view of the obvious hardship on persons being penalised for the sin of being related to others working in the Department, do Government propose to reconsider the order and withdraw it ? If not, why not ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes.

(b) The term ' close relative ' includes also first cousin and brother-in-law.

The term ' officer ' does not include for the purpose of the order non-gazetted staff.

Names of 25 contractors have so far been removed from the approved list of Contractors. Cases of others are under consideration.

(d) Enquiries on this matter have not been made and the Government of India are not aware whether such rule exists in other Departments or Countries.

(e) By the direction of the Government of India.

(f) The matter is under the examination of Government.

421

^[f.30] Report on Family Budget Enquiries

1156. Sri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar :(a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state when he intends to publish reports on the Family Budget Enquiries which started nearly three years back ?

(b) Will the Honourable Member place before the House the dates on which the first and the last Family Budget were collected in every centre where such enquiries were conducted and state why such an extraordinary period was chosen, for the conduct of such enquiries ?

(c) Are Government aware that the whole purpose and results of these enquiries have been most seriously vitiated by leaving out of account the factor of qualities of items consumed by the workers from the questionnaires of the Family Budget Enquiries altogether ?

(d) Will the Honourable Member please state if an Experts Committee was appointed to ensure uniformity and correct procedure in such Family Budget Enquiries ? If so, how many times did it meet ? Is it a fact that sampling techniques and other important decisions on methods and principles of obtaining and compiling data applied in these enquiries, were approved by the said Experts Committee either before or after their application ? If not, why not ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Reports on the Family Budget Enquiries are expected to be completed and published by the end of September 1946.

(b) A statement containing the information required is placed on the Table of the House.

As cost of living index numbers constituted an essential basis for adjustment of dearness allowance, which was urgently required during the war period and as no reliable data in this respect were available, a beginning had to be made without waiting for conditions to return to normal.

(d) An Expert's Committee was appointed to discuss methods of preparing cost of living indices. It met once and laid down general principles regarding the methods of investigation, which were generally followed.

Statement showing the dates of starting and closing the Family Budget Enquiries at the various selected centres

	Name of Centre	Date of starting the collection of budgets	Date on which the collection of budgets work was finished
I	Ajmer (1)	15-11-43	15-11-44
II.	Bengal (4)
	1. Howrah & Bally	28-7-43	28-7-44
	2. Kharagpur	28-7-43	28-7-44
	3. Narayanganj	28-7-43	28-7-44
	4. Calcutta	1-8-44	31-7-45
III	Bihar (4)
	1. Monghyr & Jamalpur	9-5-44	31-10-44
	2. Delhi-on-Sone	1-11-44	31-1-45
	3.Jamshedpur	1-2-45	30-6-45
	4. Jharia	1-7-45	25-145
IV	Bombay (4)
	1. Bombay	22-1-44	28-2-45
	2.Ahmedabad	22-1-44	28-2-45
	3.Sholapur	22-1-44	28-2-45
	4.Jalgaon	22-1-44	28-2-45
V	C.P. & Berar (2)
	1. Jubbulpore	10-4-44	15-4-45
	2.Akola	2nd week of July 1944	15-4-45
VI	Delhi (1)	13-10-43	31-10-44
VII	Punjab (3)
	1. Lahore	1-1-44	30-4-45
	2. Ludhiana	1-1-44	30-4-45
	3. Sialkot	1-1-44	30-4-45
VIII	Khewra (2)
	1. Khewra	1st week of April 1944	10-1-45
	2. Dandot & A.C.C.I.	15-10-44	10-1-45
IX	Sind (1)
	1. Karachi	1-8-44	31-7-45
XII	Orisa (2)
	1. Cuttack	15-12-44	15-9-45
	2. Berhampur	15-12-44	15-9-45
XII	U.P (1)
	1. Cawnpore	Jan-45	Enquiries are proceeding
XII	Assam (3)
	1. Tinsukia	April 1944	15-10-45
	2. Silekar	April 1944	15-10-45
	3. Gauhati	April 1944	15-10-45

Prof. N. G. Ranga : Will such enquiries be made at least in few test cases in regard to agricultural labour?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I will bear that in mind although I cannot commit myself.

422

^[f.31] Compilation of Unweighted Retail Price Index Number

1155. Sri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state the purpose behind the compilation of unweighted Retail Price Index Number by groups about industrial cities and town of this country published in the Indian Labour Gazette ?

(b) Were the items and their qualities constituting the groups for which Retail Price Index Numbers are worked out ever made known to the public ? If not, why not ?

(d) Will the Honourable Member place before the House total number of items for each group of every centre for which Retail Price Index Numbers are being released by the Labour Department ? In this connection, will he also slate what the criterion was for Fixing upon items, their qualities and numbers, on which these unweighted group index numbers are based ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The Government of India decided in 1942 to undertake a scheme for the compilation of cost of living index numbers on uniform lines. As the preparation of such index numbers was likely to take some time, it was felt that retail price data should be available as this might be of some value in wage disputes. Government, therefore, decided as an interim measure, after consultation with Provincial Governments to collect price data for certain selected centres in the country and to prepare index numbers based on such data.

(b) The items constituting the groups are not published. There is no particular reason except the desirability of limiting space in the Gazette.

(c) A statement regarding the number of items included in each group in the Retail Index Number for each centre is placed on the table of the House. The main criteria adopted for deciding upon the list were the consumption habits of the class of the community concerned and the availability of comparable price data.

Statement showing the number of items included in the various groups for each centre for which retail price index numbers are being published in the Indian Labour Gazette.

I—URBAN CENTRES

			Cereals		Pulses	Other Articles of food	All food	Fuel & Lighting	Cloth ing*	Miscellaneous	Total
1.		Ajmer		7	5	15	27	3	9	2	11
2.		Hubli		2	4	13	19	3	5	6	33
3.		Surat		3	3	11	17	3	7	6	33
4.		Dohad		3	3	12	18	3	6	4	31
5.		Akola		3	3	14	20	4	8	6	38
6.		Delhi		9	3	16	28	5	5	6	44
7.		Rawalpindi		4	3	16	23	3	5	5	36
8.		Amritsar		4	4	15	23	3	6	4	36
9.		Ludhiana		4	3	17	24	3	6	4	37
10.		Sialkot		4	3	15	22	3	5	4	34
11.		Lucknow		9	3	10	22	3	9	7	41
12.		Agra		9	3	10	22	3	9	7	41
13.		Bareilly		9	3	10	22	3	9	7	41
14.		Gauhati
15.		Tinsukia		3	4	19	26	3	6	7	42
16.		Dehri-on-Sone...		5	3	11	19	4	3	6	32
	17.	Patna	5		3	12	20	4	4	6	34
	18.	Cuttack	1		4	17	22	3	4	8	37
	19.	Berhampore	3		2	19	24	3	3	5	35
	20.	Khewra	4		3	16	23	3	5	4	35
	21.	Karachi	4		2	16	22	4	4	2	32
	22.	Benares	4		3	10	17	3	9	7	36
	23.	Meerut	9		3	10	22	3	9	7	41
	24.	Howrah
	25.	Budge-Budge
	26.	Kankinara
	27.	Narayanganj
	28.	Seraniporc	4		4	16	24	5	5	7	41
	29.	Gauripore
	30.	Kancharapara
	31.	Kharagpur
	32.	Calcutta
	33.	Raniganj

*In the Indian Labour Gazette, it has already been slated that due to changes in clothing grades, it has not been found possible to work out the index numbers for the clothing group.

II RURAL CENTRES

		Cereals	Pulses	Other Articles of food	All food	Fuel & Lighting	Cloth ing*	Miscellaneous	Total
l.	Burma	1	2	8	11	2	3	5	21
2.	Maibang	1	2	10	13	2	6	5	26
3.	Rajapur	1	2	14	17	3	6	5	31
4.	Shankargarh ..	7	3	8	18	2	3	4	27
5.	Sonaili	3	3	12	18	2	6	5	31
6.	Mullapi	2	4	9	15	2	5	4	26
7.	Nana	4	2	13	19	3	5	3	30
8.	Salainalpur	3	4	12	19	2	4	3	28
9.	Shujubad	5	4	11	20	4	6	3	33
10.	Gujarkhan	2	4	12	18	3	6	2	29
11.	Krishna	2	2	14	18	2	6	4	30
12.	Lakh	2	3	10	15	2	5	3	25
13.	Malur	3	4	13	20	2	4	5	31
14.	Muniguda	2	3	13	18	2	4	4	28
15.	Kudchi	2	2	13	17	3	7	4	31

Prof. N. G. Runga : Are figures being collected of the actual prices being paid by the working classes, or only the prices that are supposed to be scheduled to be paid in the retail shops ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I think if my Honourable friend waits there will be an answer to the next question by Mr. Ayyangar in which you will find the information about family budget.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : What information have Government collected and kept in their possession of the prices which are actually prevailing in the black-market in which atone the ordinary working class people in towns are able to purchase most of their necessities ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I do not think Government have any information on black-market prices.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : Will Government collect that information ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : That suggestion, I must say, does not commend itself to me.

Mr. President: Order, order. Next question.

423

^[f.32] Alternative Employment to Women Previously Working Underground in Mines

152. Miss Maniben Kara: Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state:

(a) how many women were employed underground in coal mines in India before the last day that the ban on the employment of women underground in mines was re-imposed ;

(b) how many of the women mentioned in (a) have been given alternative employment since the imposition of the ban on women working underground;

(c) the nature of alternative employment provided to them ? (d) how their earnings in the new employment compare with their earnings while working underground;

(e) apart from wages what the other concessions are that they have tost as a result of ceasing to work underground; and

(f) what steps Government, propose to take in order to compensate them for their toss of earnings and other concessions ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) About 20,000. (b) No exact figures are available but approximately 50 per cent of inc women mentioned in (a) have been given alternative employment since the re-imposition of ban. Of the remaining 50 per cent. About half have gone to their villages while some of the remainder are sitting down at colleries because they are refusing contract work e.g. coal loading ?

(d) The earnings of women so employed are from ten to twelve annas per day (excluding half seer free rice and bonus of two annas for each woman) as against twelve annas to fourteen annas per day paid to underground workers.

(e) Women so employed have lost the concession of free supply of milk which was granted only by reason of working underground. (f) Attention of the Honourable Member is invited to the answer given in reply to part (b) of starred question No. 466 on the 25th February 1946.

424

^[f.33] Amendment in the Rent Control Orders in Delhi

1239. Pandit Thakur Das Bhargava: Will the Honourable the Labour Member kindly state :

(a) whether it is a fact that prior to January, 1944, the Rent Control Orders in Delhi permitted a landlord to get a tenant ejected if the house was required for his own use;

(b) whether it is a fact that the above mentioned orders were amended in January, 1944, and the revised order precluded landlords residing in Delhi from ejecting tenants even if the houses were required for their own use ; if so, the reasons for the amendment ;

(c) whether their attention has been drawn to a letter from a house-owner in the Hindustan Times of the 22nd December, 1945 ;

(d) whether Government propose to consider the advisability of restoring to landlords the right to eject a tenant in case they required their houses for their own use ; and (e) if it is a fact that house situation has become easier than before in Delhi and that Government have consequently decided to demolish temporary Government building constructed during the war ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes; a landlord could gel a tenant ejected, under the New Delhi House Rent Control Order, 1939, only when the Rent Controller was satisfied that the house was reasonably and in good faith, required by the landlord.

(b) Yes ; the expressions ' reasonably and in good faith ' occurring in the Old Clause of the New Delhi House Rent Control Order 1939 gave unscruputous landlords an opportunity of forcing tenants to pay more than the controlled rents. It was also found necessary to debar landlords from evicting tenants of long standing (whose presence in Delhi was essential), especially when the landlords were already residing in Delhi. Consequently clause 11-A of the New Delhi House Rent Control Order, 1939, was enacted. (c) Yes.

(d) No. Not till the housing position in Delhi improves. (c) The answer to the first half of the question is in the negative. Government propose to demolish buildings only when they are no longer required for any essential purpose, or where it is considered essential in the interests of the housing position itself that temporary structures should be replaced by permanent buildings.

Mr. Manu Subedar : May I enquire whether Government will look into the question : when a tenant rents out to a subtenant, even then do Government propose to leave the tenant secure in the possession of his house, even when the tenant is profiteering ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I shall consider that question.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : We are not interested in the demolishing of these temporary Government buildings. Are these house owners or the Government themselves interested in their demolition ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I did not follow the question.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : Part (e) of the question says, "If it is a fact that the house situation has become easier than before in Delhi and that Government have consequently decided to demolish temporary Government buildings constructed during the war ?"

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I did not say that Government has decided. I said that the government will not demolish temporary buildings unless it is found that they are not required for essential purpose.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : Are Government considering the advisabilily of renting out these buildings to the total public who are in need of housing accommodation as soon as their official use is over ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : If they are not essential for the purposes of Government and if the public is prepared to take them on hire, Government will be pleased to consider that.

Sir Mohammad Yamin Khan: How long is this Rent Control Ordinance of June 1944 going to remain in force ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: My Honourable friend knows that it will last as long as the emergency lasts.

Mr. President : Next question.

425

^[f.34] Abolition of Bricks Control Order in Delhi

1242. Sri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state :

(a) if his attention has been drawn to the news item in the Hindustan Times of the 3rd March, 1946, regarding revised brick prices ?

(b) if he is aware of the statement in the budget speech of the Honourable the Finance Member regarding the immediate necessity of putting up buildings as rapidly as possible for housing accommodation and the necessity of releasing all controlled materials in this regard ?

(c) Why the sale of bricks is still controlled, and why it is necessary that so long after the cessation of hostilities permits should be taken for purchase of bricks in Delhi ; and

(d) if he proposes to consider the desirability of abolishing all controls in his Department before the end of this financial year, that is, 1st April, 1946, in view of the urgent necessity for additional house accommodation for the vastly increased population of Delhi and New Delhi, if not, why not ?

The Honourable Dr, B. R. Ambedkar: (a) Yes. (b) Yes.

(c) and (d). Continuance of price control and distribution control was considered necessary in order to ensure that the price of bricks was maintained at a reasonable level and that the disposal of the bricks from the Government and private stocks was carried out in an orderly manner. The entire subject is, however, now under further consideration.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : Is not the Honourable Member responsible for the building of houses and all these things in the centrally administered areas, and if so, will he try to apply the same consideration to the other towns in the centrally administered areas also ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I shall bear in mind what has been said by my Honourable friend.

Mr. Manu Subedar : In view of the fact that all control orders have been abolished in Bombay, will Government inquire why they could not be abolished all over India, and why particularly in the centrally administered areas the Honourable Member should not now abolish them?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I shall made inquiries.

426

^[f.35] Requisitioned Houses in Qarol Bagh, Delhi

1258. Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer: (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state if it is a fact that the under mentioned houses in Karol Bagh, Delhi which were requisitioned by Government for allotment to Government servants, have been lying vacant or unoccupied for a period varying from one to six months ?

1	15-A/39	First Floor	I.
2	15-A/9	Ground Floor	I.
3	15-A/9	Ground Floor	II
4	6/73	First Floor	II
5	6/73	Ground Floor	I
6	24-25	First Floor
7	No.19	Birla Flat
8	53/7	Ground Floor	I
9	15-A/2-3-4	Ground Floor	I
10	Birla Building	Ground Floor	II
11	Birla Building	Ground Floor	I
12	6/75-76	First Floor	VI
13	642	B.D.
14	25310	M.C.
15	15-A/39	Ground Floor	II
16	15-A/39	Ground Floor	I
17	6/75-76	First Floor	V
18	Ganesh Bhawan	---
19	6/64	Ground Floor

(b) Is it also a fact that most of such houses were successively allotted, but refused by various allottees, mostly because of lack of proper living conditions and privacy ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) A statement showing the position of the requisitioned houses in question is placed on the table of the House.

(b) Some of these houses proved unpopular and were refused when offered and were thus lying vacant for some time as shown in the statement laid on the table of the House.

Statement showing the position of the leased houses in question

st. Name of the House Date from which lying Remarks No. vacant

S.No.	Name of the House	Date from which lying vacant	Remarks
1	15-A/39 F.F. I	26th June 1945	It was offered to officials on 26th June 1945, 15th August 1945, 12th November 1945, 21st November 1945 and 31st January 1946 but was refused successively by all. It has been released from 8th March 1946.
2	15-A/9 G.F. I	14th January 1946	The allotment made to the previous allottee was cancelled from 14th January 1946. It was re-allotted on 28th January 1946 and accepted on 7th February 1946.
3	15-A/9 G.F. II	15th November 1945	The house was re-allotted to officials on 1945 20th Nov. 1945, 21st Dec. 1945, 28th Jan. 1946 and 16th Feb. 1946 but was refused by all in turn. It has been re-allotted from 14^th March 1946.
4	6/73 F.F. II	September 1945	The house was offered to different officials on 4th Oct. 1945, 26th Oct. 1945 and 4th Dec. 1945 but was refused by all. It was finally accepted on 3rd Jan. 1946
5	6/73 G. F. I	5th February 1946	The allottee was declared ineligible from getting Government accommodation and he vacated the house on 5th Feb. 1946. It was re-allotted on 22nd Feb 1946.
6	24/26 (should be 22/6	November 1945	The house was offered to different officials on 19th Oct. 1945, 26th Nov. 1945, 21st Dec. 1945 and 28th Jan. 1946 but was refused by each allottee. It was finally accepted on 16th Feb. 1946 and has been occupied by the allottee.
7	No. 19 Birla Flat	January 1946	Reserved for casual visitors
8	53/75 G.F.I.	23^rd Dec.1945	Surrendered by the previous allottee on 23rd Dec. 1945. It was re-allotted on 28th Dec. 1945 and accepted on 3rd Jan. 1946.
9	15-A/2,3,4,G.F.I.	7^th Dec 1945	It was offered on 30th Jan. 1946 and 16th Feb. 1946 but was refused. It has been re-allotted from 14th March, 1946.
10	Birla Flat G.F.II (Represent Birla Flat No.11 )	31^st January 1946	The house stands allotted to an Officer who is in occupation of flat No. 22 by mutual exchange, He has been asked to shift to his flat.
11	Birla Flat G.F.I (Represent Birla Flat No.7)	31^st January 1946	This flat was occupied by mutual exchange by the allottee of Hutment No. 164. lie has been asked to vacate the Hutmtnt and to go to his flat.
12	6/75-76 F.F.VI	20^th January 1946	The house was vacated by the previous allottee on 20th January 1946 due to resignation. It has been re-allotted from 4lh March 1946.
13	B.D./642	January 1946	Vacated by the previous allottee in Jan. 1946. It has been recommended for release.
14	25310 M.C. (should be 2531 M.C.)	18^th August 1945	This house was offered to officials on 26lh June 1945, 15th August 1945, 13th Sept. 1945, 19th Oct. 1945,26lh Nov. 1945 and 21st Dec. 1945, but was refused by all in turn. It has been released from 15th March, 1946.
15	15-A/39 G.F.II	3^rd July 1945	Both these sets proved unpopular and were refused when offered.
16	15-A/39 G.F.I	9^th Aug 1944	These sets were released from 8th March 1946.
17	Ganesh Bhawan (should be Ramesh Bhawan)	28^th Feb 1946	Fell vacant due to the allottee being declared ineligible for Government accommodation. The house has been reallotted from 4lh March, 1946.
18	6/64	28^th Feb 1946	The house has been allotted elsewhere from 4th March, 1946.

427

[f.36] Requisitioned Houses in Qarol Bagh, Delhi

1259. Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer: (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please slate if Government are aware that in most cases where the requisitioned houses in Karol Bagh, Delhi, were accepted by the allottees, they were sub-let by the respective allottees, on black-market rents to the general public who were driven to pay high rents on account of grave shortage of living accommodation in Delhi ?

(b) Are Government also aware that this practice of sub-letting is so prevalent that on an enquiry by the Estate Office, three flats out of four in house No. 6/73 in Karol Bagh, were found to be sub-let ?

(c) Is it a fact that most of the unoccupied houses in Karol bagh are being utilised by the total staff of the Central Public Works Department for their private ends ?

(d) In view of these facts, do Government propose to consider the advisability of terminating the lease of the houses referred to in part (a) of the preceding question to save them from black market transactions and misuse and making them available to the needy general public among whom many are Government employees on the waiting list for Government accommodation ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) No. (b) It is a fact that two Hats out of the four in house No. 6 / 73 Karol Bagh were found to have been sub-let, but it does not follow from this one case, that sub-letting is widely prevalent. (c) No.

(d) Government have already de-requisitioned a few houses in the Karol Bagh area, and have always under their examination the de-requisitioning of houses not required by them or which they are unable to utilise.

428

^[f.37] Strike In Indian School of Mines

1265. Sri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state whether there has been a strike in the Indian School of Mines ? (b) Has the strike ended ?

(d) Is it a fact that the graduates of the Indian School of Mines are not permitted by the Coal Mines Regulations to hold any responsible position in coal mines ?

(e) Will Government consider the advisability of amending the Coal Mines Regulation so as to make the diploma of the Indian School of Mines equivalent to the Second Class Mine Manager's Certificate of competency subject to the holder obtaining practical experience in coal mines for a further period of one year ? If not, why not ?

(f) What steps do government propose to lake to remedy the grievances of the students ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) Yes. (b) Yes. (c) Yes.

(d) Yes. The certificate or diploma holders of the Indian School of Mines must secure a Second Class or First Class Colliery manager's certificate before they can be appointed to a responsible position in a coal mine.

(e) and (f). The matter is under consideration. Government are considering the extent to which the regulations under the Mines Act can be altered to give some weightage under those Regulations to the Diploma of the School of mines, but they do not consider that it is possible to treat that diploma as a substitute for the Second Class mine manager's certificate granted under those regulations.

Prof. N. G. Ranga: When Government are responsible for both certificates as well as diploma, what is it that prevents the Government of India to see that diploma holders are given training which will be considered equivalent to the training or efficiency which certificate holders are expected to possess ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I have discovered in my examination of the subject that there are certain anomalies and I am taking steps to rectify them.

429

^[f.38] United States Army Chapel, New Delhi

1268. Sri S. T. Adityan: (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state whether it is a fact that the United States Army Chapel, New Delhi, is proposed to be converted for secular purposes ?

(b) What are the names of applicants who have offered to purchase this Chapel?

(c) Are Government aware that it would the religious susceptibilities c-f a large section of Christians if a Church is converted for any other use except religious worship in a Christian form ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) The matter is under consideration.

(b) The Government have not received any offer for the purchase of this Chapel.

(c) It is understood that the Chapel has not been consecrated and its use for purpose other than religious worship in a Christian form should not therefore wound the religious susceptibilities of a large section of Christians.

430

^[f.39] Thorium and Uranium Deposits in India

1276. Diwan Chaman Lall: Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to stale whether there are, and if so, to what extent, Thorium and Uranium deposits anywhere in India ? What steps are being taken to exploit the existing resources ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : No deposit of economic value has yet been found.

The mineral monazite (one of the Thorium bearing minerals) does occur along the southern coast line of India notably on the Travancore coast.

431

^[f.40] Import of Typewriters

1279. Mr. Manu Subedar: (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state how many typewriting machines have been imported in India since the 1st of April, 1940 ?

(b) How many of these have been released for the Civil population and in which Provinces, and by what test ?

(c) Is it a fact that there is a great shortage in India of these machines and that business firms are put to very great inconvenience ?

(d) What steps have Government taken in order to increase the availability of these machines ?

(e) Did this constitute one of the articles, about which the Hydari Mission negotiated ?

(f) What is the general position about the availability of typewriting machines, and what is the forecast of Government during the next twelve months ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) About 76,000 up to December 1945. (b) From April 1940 to October 1943—information not available.

From October 1943 to the end of 1945—about 2950. The test by which releases were made was one of essentiality. These releases were made to commercial and industrial concerns, public utilities, educational institutions, professional people and businessmen and preference was given to war industries or agencies engaged in work: connected with the war effort.

(c) Yes, there has been a great shortage of typewriters in India. (d) Since the end of the war, typewriters for public use are being imported through commercial channels as in pre-war days. Government have impressed upon the various importing firms the desirability of importing typewriters in as large a number as possible. The Firms have been invited to come up for Government assistance, if necessary, after ascertaining the supplying capacity of their principals in America. Import licences for large quantities of typewriters have been issued. For the period July to December 1945 atone, licences for import from U.S.A. were issued for 11,717 typewriters. The acute shortage of typewriters in India was also brought to the notice of the American authorities in August last and they were requested to accord high priority to the releases of at least 15,000 typewriters for shipment to India by the end of June 1946. (e) No.

(e) Only 4,400 typewriters (excluding Hermes " Baby " typewriters from Switzerland which are unsuitable for regular office work) were imported into this country during the six months from September 1945 to February 1946 against India's minimum yearly requirements of 15,500 machines. The present position is, therefore, unsatisfactory but some improvement is expected during the next twelve months.

Contents PART X