Vol. 10 · pages 601–605

580 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : It is not possible to undertake any such legislation during the war period. Mr. N. M. Joshi: May I ask what is the difficulty created by the war period to undertake legislation of this kind ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : It is a controversial legislation. Mr. Hooseinbhoy A. Lalljee : Has any attempt been made to find out the cost of living or the Index number ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : There is only one province where Index numbers arc framed, namely, Bombay. N. M. Joshi: May I ask whether Government realises that the Act prohibiting the strikes and lock-outs is a step which necessitates a dispute and whether such a necessity of creating a dispute the war time is in the interests of war effort ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I do not think the premise is correct. Mr. N. M. Joshi : May I ask which part of the premise is correct. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The fact that we have on the statute book a legislation does not necessarily involve that it will give rise to disputes as mentioned by the Honourable Member. Mr. N. M. Joshi: May I ask whether the Government docs not realise. Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim): That is arguing. Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : Will the Government try to find out the price Index of bigger towns having a population of more than 200,000 ? This information is rather important for us. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Unless we have an Act which enables the Government to collect statistics, it is not possible to have Index numbers prepared throughout India. Mr. N. M. Joshi : May I ask whether the Honourable Member is aware that there is an Act of the Central legislature which enables the Government to collect statistics ? Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim): Next question.

581 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 17 * Discontentment among Factory Labourers 87. Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : (a) Is the Honourable Member for Labour aware that there exists great discontentment among the factory labourers on account of the fact that the capitalists who are making abnormal profits do not give an adequate share to their labourers in the form of rise in their wages ? (b) What action has the Honourable Member taken to force the capitalists to give a share of their profits to persons by whose labour the profit is achieved ? (c) Is the Honourable Member aware that the unrest in the factory labour is not due so much to political consciousness as it is due to economic coercion of their employers ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Where there is, as now, a tendency for prices to rise and where profits are being made, labour is always likely to claim an increase in emoluments Government are aware that such claims are being put forward. (b) A considerable portion of the profits of industry goes to Government in the shape of Excess Profits Tax. Out of the part left to the employers, many employers are distributing bonuses. Government has not found it necessary at present to take any action, for the purpose indicated. (c) The question is not understood. Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : Have the Government found out the names of those factories which are giving the bonus to their employees ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Yes, we have. If the Honourable Member wants the information, it can be supplied to him. Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : Are all these factories giving this bonus or only some of them ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : If my Honourable friend puts down a question, I can give the detailed information on the point. * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1943, 16th February 1943, p. 268.

582 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES 18 * Household Budget of a Labourer 88. Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please lay on the table the normal house-hold budget of a labourer for 1943, who earns eight annas a day and who has to support his family which normally consists of six persons ? (b) What is the grain consumption of such a family and what price is to be paid ? (c) What action have the employers of labour taken to feed their labourers ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) There is no uniform budget for a labourer throughout India. It is regretted also that no family budget figures for 1943 can be supplied for any area. The statistics about family budgets in Bombay in some previous years can be supplied if the Honourable Member so desires. (b) In the absence of statistics it is not possible to say what the grain consumption of a labourer’s family is. Diets and prices vary in different areas. (c) A number of employers have opened grain shops or canteens and the Government of India are advising the main All-India Employers Associations that they regard such opening as very desirable. The attached statement gives a summary of information so far available with the Government of India. Statement (The information is the latest available but is not up-to-date.) Madras.—Thirty-one factories have grain shops ; 13 of them have been opened by employers and 18 by workers’ Co-operative Societies, which are in several cases assisted by employers. In 50 factories employers have laid in reserves of essential food articles against an emergency ; in six factories arrangements have also been made to supply cooked food to workers in an emergency. In two factories employers are running canteens for workers. Bengal—In 146 factories there are grain shops and emergency reserves are also held by them. Besides emergency grain stocks alone are held by 35 factories. Arrangements for supply of cooked food during an emergency exist in 73 factories. Bombay/Punjab.—Detailed information is not available. But many employers have opened grain shops and have made arrangements as far as possible to hold emergency stocks of grains. * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1943, 16lh February 1943, pp. 268-69.

583 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Bihar.—Seven employers, including the leading employers, have opened grain shops for their workers and are maintaining as far as possible emergency stocks of foodstuffs. One prominent employer has advanced capital to a Co-operative society of workers for running grain shops and has also provided storage accommodation at reduced rent. United Provinces.—All the large Cawnpore factories have grain shops and emergency reserves are laid in as far as possible. Central Provinces and Berar. —About 14 grain shops have been opened by employers ; one employer is helping a trade union to open such a shop. About seven prominent employers and one Co-operative society have made or arc making arrangements for storing food grains for an emergency. Sind.—Seven leading employers in Karachi and Hyderabad (Sind) have opened grain shops. Employers of all essential services have been required to keep within the work premises emergency stocks of foodstuffs with cooking arrangements and prominent employers have complied. One leading concern at Karachi has set up a canteen for supplying cooked food and milk to its employees. Assam.—Employers of industrial labour have made adequate arrangements for supply of foodstuffs by opening grain shops, etc. Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad: May I know whether the Labour Department has any hand in the fixation of the prices for the poor people ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : No. 19 * Measures for Making Essentials Available to Labourers 89. Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state what action his department has taken to safeguard the interests of labourers in getting their essential of life specially food stuffs ? If none, why ? (b) What steps, does the Honourable Member propose to take to ensure that the poor people get enough to eat and prices comparable to their wages ? If none, why ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) and (b). The question has been engaging the attention of Government for some time and is now considered in the Food Department. Instructions have been issued to Provincial Governments to give priority of supplies to essential civil personnel, including industrial labour engaged in essential employments. * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1943, 16th February 1943, p. 269.

584 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES 20 * Measures for Ameliorating the Economic Condition of Labourers 90. Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state what steps he has taken to ameliorate the economic condition of labourers ? (b) In what manner does he propose to safeguard the interests of labourers ? (c) Is he prepared to reorganise the unions of labour and to place them in a position to safeguard their own interests ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Both in legislative and executive action Government have striven to ensure fair conditions to labour. A copy of Press Note issued when I met the Press is attached for Honourable Member’s information. It will give some idea of the ameliorative provisions. If the Honourable Member desires any more detailed information on specific points, it will be supplied. (b) This is already replied to under (a). (c) It is not for Government to reorganise labour unions. @ Labour Welfare in Wartime India In view of the appointment of a number of Assistant Labour Welfare Officers who will soon be posted to important industrial areas, we may take stock of what is being done for Labour’s betterment in wartime India. The old concept of a government’s job being to govern, to maintain law and order, has given place to a new ideal in which the responsibility of an administration for the material and cultural well-being of the people is recognised. In India Labour is mainly a provincial subject and we at the Centre have heretofore been responsible mainly in securing uniformity in Labour legislation and adherence to such of the International Labour Office Conventions as are practicable for India. Our legislation though comprehensive has been confined more to conditions of service and industrial relations than to such matters as wages and welfare. In wartime some curtailment of Labour’s rights is necessary to ensure continuance of production but in the very process of effecting * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1943, 16th February 1943, pp. 270-71. @ Ibid. Press Note, dated 30th October, 1942. (Summary of Statement made by the Hon’ble Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.).