Vol. 10 · pages 406–410

389 INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYMENT (STANDING ORDERS) BILL Factories Act”. I take it that factory as defined there is covered by the Factories Act. But a factory of twenty people will not be covered by the definition of “industrial establishment” given here. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : But Government may apply it even to a factory having twenty persons. Diwan Chaman Lall : It may ; but it does not mean that it should. The Honourable Dr. B.R. Ambedkar : We are starting with those having one hundred. Mr. Leslie Gwilt: Why not start with less ? The Honourable Dr. B.R. Ambedkar : There is nothing to prevent Government from starting with even a lesser number. Diwan Chaman Lall : If the Indian Factories Act can apply to an establishment where there are only twenty people employed, why should not this also apply similarly to an industrial establishment under this Bill ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : As it is, there is nothing under the Act which will not enable Government to impose the obligation upon even factories employing twenty persons. We thought fit to make a beginning. Further, the administrative machinery may probably have to be very vast if it were to apply to every factory. The number of certifying officers and appellate authorities may be too many and no Provincial Government may be in a position to provide that administrative machinery. It is necessary to make a beginning on a modest scale, reserving to ourselves the power to extend it to all those where such extension may be necessary. I do not think there is any other point which was made in the course of the speeches on this motion which calls for explanation. Sir, I move : Mr. President : The question is : “That the Bill, as amended, be passed.” The motion was adopted. zz

67 * Mica Mines Labour Welfare Fund Bill The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member) : Sir, I move: “That the Bill to constitute a fund for the financing of activities to promote the welfare of Labour employed in the Mica Mining Industry, as reported by the Select Committee be taken into consideration.” The Bill has emerged practically as it was from the Select Committee with changes which are so inconsequential that I think it would be wrong on my part lo take the time of the House to refer to it. I will therefore do no more than move the motion. Mr. Deputy President : The question is : “That the Bill to constitute a fund for the financing of activities to promote the welfare of Labour employed in the Mica Mining Industry, as reported by the Select Committee be taken into consideration.” The motion was adopted. Mr. Deputy President : The question is : “That Clause 2 stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted. Clause 2 was added to the Bill. Clauses 3 and 4 were added to the Bill. Mr. Deputy President : Clause 5. Pandit Mukut Bihari Lal Bhargava (Ajmer-Merwara : General) : Sir, I beg to move : “That in sub-clause 3(a) of clause 5 of the Bill, after the word ‘fund’ and before the word ‘and’, the following be inserted, namely :— ‘Provided that no officer shall be deemed to be competent to enter a private dwelling house between the hours of sunset and sunrise and in case of such dwelling house being occupied by women without proper notice of such entry to the inmates ‘.” Mr. Deputy President : The Honourable Member just now has given notice of this amendment. It has not been circulated to the Members. *Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. V, No. 4, 15th April 1046, p. 4024.

391 MICA MINES LABOUR WELFARE FUND BILL The Honourable Dr. B.R. Ambedkar : Sir, I object to it. Mr. Deputy President : I am afraid this amendment has come too late and it cannot be permitted at this stage. Prof. N.G. Ranga (Guntur-cum-Nellore : non-Muhammadan Rural): Have you any objection to that ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I strongly object to it. Mr. Deputy President : Does the Honourable Member want to speak on clause 5 ? Pandit Mukut Bihari Lal Bhargava : No, Sir. Mr. Deputy President : The question is : “That Clauses 5 and 6 stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted. Clauses 5 and 6 were added to the Bill. Clause 1 was added to the Bill. The Title and Preamble were added to the Bill. The Honourable Dr. B.R. Ambedkar : Sir, I move : “That the Bill, as amended, be passed.” Mr. Deputy President : Motion moved : “That the Bill, as amended, be passed.” zz

68 Miscellaneous * SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SCHEDULED CASTE STUDENTS With a view to improving the educational and economic condition of the Scheduled Castes, the Government of India have decided to give scholarships for the year 1946-47 to students belonging to these classes in British India who wish to pursue their studies in scientific and technological subjects beyond the Matriculation stage. These scholarships are tenable in India only. No scholarships for studies abroad will be awarded by the Board this year. The amounts awarded will cover the entire cost of education including the tuition fee and other maintenance charges. In the case of Shorthand and Typewriting, short period stipends of the value of Rs. 20 p.m. only will be awarded. The courses for which awards will be available are : (1) Intermediate with Science, (2) B. Sc. (Pass or Honours), (3) M. Sc., (4) Engineering, (5) Technology, (6) Medical, (7) Agriculture, (8) Teacher’s Training and (9) Shorthand and Typewriting. Women students offering Arts subjects in the Intermediate and Graduate courses will be eligible for the award of scholarships provided they give an undertaking that they will pursue the Teacher’s Training course at the end of their approved courses of study. If they do not fulfil this condition they will be required to refund the amount of their scholarships. @ T.V.A. EXPERTS TO ADVISE ON DAMODAR VALLEY PROJECT Mr. Ross M. Riegel and Mr. Fred C. Schlemmer, leading engineers of the Tennessee Valley Authority, have arrived in India on a mission *Indian Information, March 15, 1946, p. 310. @ Indian Information, April 1, 1946, p. 403.

393 MISCELLANEOUS to advise on the plans being made by the Central Technical Power Board for the Maithon. Alyar and Panchet Hill Projects. These are the first three of the dam sites in the Damodar Project for which outline designs and detailed estimates are being prepared at present. The plans and designs for the Maithon Project are in a relatively advanced stage. In regard to the other projects, a good deal of topographical and other data is still in course of preparation. Four Reports Mr. Riegel and Mr. Schlemmer do not expect to be in India for more than eight weeks, their services having been made available to the Government of India by the Tennessee Valley Authority, with the approval of the State Department, Washington. It is hoped to associate two leading Indian civil engineers with the Mission, but the present circumstances in which exceptional efforts are being made to carry out irrigation projects in connection with the “Grow More Food Campaign” have made it difficult for the Indian engineers to join the Mission as yet. The Mission is to make four reports. Two are to be made to the central Technical Power Board, and are to comprise a critical examination of the Board’s proposals for the form of design to be adopted and the construction schedule at the dam sites. The other two reports will be made to the Government of India and will cover recommendations as to the methods of preparing detailed working designs and carrying out construction work. *WELFARE TRUST FUNDS FOR WORKERS The creation of Welfare Trust Funds for industrial employees was discussed at the eighth session of the Standing Labour Committee, held on March 15 and 16 in New Delhi with the Hon’ble Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Member for Labour, in the chair. A proposal that the Funds should be financed by the employers on the basis of a certain percentage of the profits and administered by a committee consisting of representatives of both workers and employers was examined. The question whether welfare schemes should be made compulsory by Statute for all classes of employers was also discussed. *Indian Information, April 15, 1946, p. 442.