2. कॅबिनेट मिशन आणि अस्पृश्य : डॉ. आंबेडकर

L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

409

* 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who passed the Readership Examination at an earlier date and entered the Junior Reader’s grade earlier have been superseded not only in the Junior Reader’s grade but also in the Senior Reader’s grade, by those who entered the Junior Reader’s grade later, in any of the Government of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 along 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. Ambedkar : (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.

* Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. III of 1946, 12th March 1946, p.2240.

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

(c) 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

* Muslim Section Holders and Overseers in Government Press, New Delhi

904. Hajee Chowdhury Muhammad Ismail Khan : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state 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.

* Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. III of 1946, 12th March 1946, p. 2242.

L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

411

* 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 @ 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 state 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 ?

* Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1946, 12th March 1946, p. 2244. @Ibid.

(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.

(c) No decision has been reached. The question of filling the post is under consideration.

413

* Employment of Unemployed Women in Coal Mines 1008. Prof. N. G. Ranga : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state :

(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

* Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1946. 15th March 1946, p. 2458.

L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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

* Construction of a Dam Across the Laxmanatritha River 1009. Shri D. P. Karmarkar : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state :

(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, (c) whether the Government of India have been addressed in this matter by the Chief Commissioner of Coorg, and (d) whether the Government of India have arrived at a decision in the mailer, 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,

* Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1946, 15th March 1946, p. 2459.

L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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

* Allocation of Expenditure for Employment and Resettlement Directorate 1017. Mr. Vadilal Lallubhai : 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 :— Rs.

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.

* Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1946, 15th March 1946, p. 2468.

(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

* 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. III 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.

* Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1946, 15th March 1946, p. 2472.

L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The information asked for is not readily available and the time 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

* 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 state:

(a) Whether Government have noticed the news in the Hindustan Times of the 4th February 1946, that the White Hall was putting pressure on the Government of India to purchase the Western House and the Eastern House on the Curzon 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

* Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1946, 21st March 1946, p. 2689.

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

* 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 oilier 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.

* Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1946, 21st Match 1946, p. 2691.

L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

(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. Ranga : 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 date 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. Docs 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

* 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

* Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1946, 21st March 1946, p. 2696.

L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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

* 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-inlaw, etc. and that officer includes for the purpose of this order Head Clerks, clerks, draftsmen, surveyors, etc. ? (c) Why was the order issued, and how many contractors have been put out of the list as a result of this order ? (d) Docs 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 ?

(f) 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.

* Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1946, 21st March 1946, p. 2700.

L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

(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.

(c) The object was to ensure greater public confidence in the Central Public Works Department.

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

* 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 ?

* Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1946, 21st March 1946, p. 2710.

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.

(c) The answer is in the negative.

(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 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 1-8-44 317-45 III. Bihar (4)—

1. Monghyr & Jamalpur 9-5-44 31-10-44

2. Dehri-on-Sone 1-11-44 31-1-45

3. Jamshedpur 1-2-45 30-6-45

4. Jharia 1-7-45 25-11-45 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

L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Name of Centre Date of starting the collection of budgets Date on which the work was finished 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 X Orissa (2)—

1. Cuttack 15-12-44 15-9-45

2. Berhampur 15-1244 15-9-45 XI U.P. (1)—

1. Cawnpore January 1945 Enquiries are proceeding. XII Assam (3)—

1. Tinsukia April 1944 15-10-45

2. Silchar April 19-14 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

* 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 ?

(c) Will the Honourable Member place before the House total number of items for each group of every centre for which Retail Price Index Numbers arc being released by the Labour Department ? In this connection, will he also slate what the criterion was for fixing upon

* Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1946, 21st March 1946, p. 2708.

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 Cere- als Pulses Other Arti- cles of food All food Fuel & Light- ing Cloth- ing Miscel- laneous 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 3 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 … 3 4 19 26 3 6 7 42

15. Tinsukia …

16. Dehri-on-Sone … 5 3 11 19 4 3 6 32

L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Cere- als Pulses Other Articles of food All food Fuel & Light- ing Cloth- ing* Miscel- laneous Total

17. Patna … 5 3 12 20 4 4 6 34

18. Cutuck … 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. Serampore … 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 stated 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

Cere- Als Pulses Other Articles of food All food Fuel & Lighting Cloth- ing Miscel- laneous Total

1. 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. Multapi … 2 4 9 15 2 5 4 26

7. Nana … 4 2 13 19 3 5 3 30

8. Salamatpur … 3 4 12 19 2 4 3 28

9. Shujabad … 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. Kudehi … 2 2 13 17 3 7 4 31 Prof. N. G. Ranga : 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 blackmarket in which alone 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 blackmarket 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

* 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 reimposed ; (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 lost as a result of ceasing to work underground; and (f) what steps Government, propose to take in order to compensate them for their loss 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 the women mentioned in (a) have been given alternative employment since the re-imposition of ban. Of the remaining 50 per cent. about

*Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1946, 21st March 1946, p. 2716.

L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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 ?

(c) Loading of coal on surface, loading and unloading of sand and removing of overburden in quarries.

(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

* 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

* Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1946, 27th March 1946, p. 2964.

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 get 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 unscrupulous 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. (e) 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 ?”

L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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 advisability of renting out these buildings to the local 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

* 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

* Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1946, 27th March 1946, p. 2967.

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

* 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 undermentioned 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 III.

* Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1946, 27th March 1946, p. 2977.