Vol. 10 · pages 1016–1020

995 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.

996 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES (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.

997 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.

998 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES 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.

999 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.