Vol. 10 · pages 636–640

615 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS of the combined “C” type quarters in New Delhi on Maud, Ibbetson and Reading Roads, were allowed, on application, to exchange their quarters with lien with the regular “C” type quarters in Havelock Square, Baird Road, Market Road, Irwin Road, etc., as and when such quarters were available ? (b) What was the longest period which it took to allot a regular “C” type quarter to an allottee of combined “C” type quarter in cases where such allottees asked for an exchange from the very time of allotment of such combined quarters to them ? (c) Will the present allottees of such combined quarters be allowed to exchange with lien this year ? If not, why not ? (d) What is the total number of quarters (regular “C” type) in the squares and roads mentioned in (a) above which will fall vacant this year due to the present allottees having to vacate them permanently for some reason or other, like retirement or allotment of a higher type of quarter ? (e) Does he propose to see that at least the tenants of these combined “C” quarters are allowed to exchange with lien if they so want ? If not, why ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes. (b) The information asked for is not readily available and its collection would involve an amount of time and labour that would not be justifiable in war time. (c) and (e) Yes.: the revised rules are being altered to allow of this as soon as possible. (d) The information cannot be given unless all applications for next summer and winter seasons are received in. 47 * The War Injuries (Compensation Insurance) Bill The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member): Sir, I move for leave to introduce a Bill to impose on employers a liability to pay compensation to workmen sustaining war injuries and to provide for the insurance of employers against such liability. * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1943, 11th March 1943, p. 976.

616 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim): The question is: “That leave be granted to introduce a Bill to impose on employers a liability to pay compensation to workmen sustaining war injuries and to provide for the insurance of employers against such liability.” The motion was adopted. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Sir, I introduce the Bill. 48 * Dismissals of Instructors, etc., in the Technical Training Centre, Delhi Polytechnic 311. Maulvi Syed Murtuza Sahib Bahadur: (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please refer to part (c) of the reply to unstarrcd question No. 75, on the 25th March 1942, and state the reason for frequent dismissals of instructors and Assistant Instructors in the Technical Training Centre, Delhi Polytechnic, especially when there is an acute shortage of skilled men ? (b) Is it a fact that some Muslims have been discharged without any reason being assigned therefor ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Fourteen Instructors have been discharged since the 1st April, 1942, 13 for inefficiency and one for political activity. (b) According to my information, no. 49 @ Grievances of Employees in the Binding Department of the Government of India Press, New Delhi 312. Qazi Muhammad Ahmad Kazmi : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state whether the entire employees * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central). Vol. II of 1913, 16th March 1943, p. 1120. @ Ibid.,p. 1121.

617 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS of the Government of India Press, New Delhi, went on strike on the 1st and 2nd December, 1942 and that on the 2nd December, 1942, the Labour Secretary went there and was presented with six demands and that one of the demands was for the annual increment to the Binding Department and that the start of the salary should be from Rs. 30 per mensem and that within the period of 20 years the salary should reach the maximum grade of Rs. 75 per mensem ? (b) Is it or is it not a fact that the Binding Department since 1927 has been submitting questions and memorials to the Works Committee for an annual increment, and has been putting questions in the Assembly, and the Press Union has also submitted a memorial ? (c) Is it or is it not a fact that people are receiving a certain pay since the last 15/20 years and most of them, after having paid from their salaries the usual cuts, i.e., for Fund, Society, Water, Quarters, etc., receive only 10/12 rupees per month, with which it is not possible for them to make ends meet easily ? (d) Is it a fact that the Union of the Binding Department had submitted a memorial to the Secretary, Labour Department, in November, 1942 in which it was laid down that until the annual increment is enforced, the employees of the Binding Department should not be retired before 25 years’ service and in this way they be compensated a little ? (e) Are Government prepared to retain the people in the Binding Department until they have put in 25 years’ service ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes, with the exception of the supervising staff and a few other employees. The question of the introduction of a time-scale of pay in the bindery is receiving attention. (b) Yes. (c) No. (d) No. The Press Workers Union submitted a representation in November 1942. But it does not contain the prayer as stated. (e) No. No employee is ordinarily required to retire before he attains the age of 55 years.

618 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES 50 * Grievances of Employees in the Binding Department of the Government of India Press, New Delhi @ 313. Qazi Muhammad Ahmad Kazmi : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state if it is a fact that there are some persons in the Binding Department of the Government of India Press, New Delhi, who are getting Rs. 30 per mensem ? (b) Is it a fact that the office mistakenly cut down their service and uptil now that service has not been restored to them with the result that for years they are getting Rs. 30 per mensem though others who are of less service are getting more, for instance those who used to get Rs. 22 and Rs. 25 per mensem are at present getting Rs. 40 and Rs. 45 per mensem ? (c) Is it a fact that those whose services have been cancelled have submitted a memorial to the Controller requesting him for the inclusion of their past service in their present service ? (d) Are Government prepared to include the service of those whose service has been cancelled ? If so, is it possible to make them senior to those who superseded them ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes. (b) Condonation does not imply that the period previous to the break be counted as service for fixing the pay to be drawn after the break and no mistake has been made. (c) No. (d) Does not arise. 51 # Paucity of Muslim Engineers, etc. in the Central Public Works Department 319. Khan Bahadur Shaikh Fazl-i-Haq Piracha : (a) Will the Honourable Member for Labour please state, community-wise, the number of Superintending Engineers, Executive Engineers and Sub- * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1943, 16lh March 1943, p. 1121. @ Answer to this question laid on the table, the questioner being absent. # Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1943, 16th March 1943, pp. 1124-25.

619 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Divisional Officers (gazetted and non-gazetted) employed in the Central Public Works Department inclusive of the Aviation and Access Road Works ? (b) Is it a fact that Muslims are under-represented in each of the cadres mentioned above ? If so, what action do Government propose to take to make up the under-representation of Muslims ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) A statement is placed on the table, (b) Yes. The under-representation of Muslims is due to the fact that most of the appointments were made for Aviation works which were urgent and important and required a large number of experienced and qualified officers. Owing to the Japanese threat to India, these officers were required at the shortest notice, and appointments according to the strict communal roster would have led to delay which would have been highly prejudicial to the defence of the country. All the appointments in regard to which communal rules have not been observed, are temporary only, and irregularities will be put right as soon as the present emergency ceases. Statement Designation of Officers Eruo- peans Anglo- Indians Hin- dus Mus- lims Sikhs Indian Christians Parsees Total 1. Superintending Engineers 5 … 3 … 2 … … 10 2. Executive Engineers 12 4 35 5 1 5 … 62 3. Sub-Divisional Officers Gazetted (Assistant Executive Engineers) 1 5 25 6 2 4 … 43 4. Sub-Divisional Officers Gazetted (Temporary Officers) … 4 43 4 3 … 1 55 5. Sub-Divisional Officers (Non-gazetted) … 3 124 23 22 1 … 173 Maulvi Syed Murtuza Sahib Bahadur : Are we to understand that when urgent appointments are made, it is only the unfortunate, Muslim community that has to suffer ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : That is not the only unfortunate community; there are other communities which are equally affected.