Vol. 10 · pages 661–665

640 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES (e) What are the reasons for not providing electric bulbs in the lavatories for clerks only ? (f) Is it a fact that certain stairs are not sufficiently lighted, or in parts are left without lights after dark ? (g) Is it a fact that the whole of the area surrounding the secretariat buildings is fully and brightly lit up each evening ? (h) If the answer to part (g) be in the affirmative, why cannot the stairs especially the main ones, inside the buildings be sufficiently lit up ? (i) If it is not practicable to light up the stairs, are Government prepared to issue definite instructions to all offices not to allow any of their staff to stay after dark, so that they may not have to grope their way down these stairs ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) A certain number of bulbs had been fused and could not be replaced on account of paucity of bulbs. (b) Yes ; not only officers lavatories but all lavatories are equipped with electric bulbs. (c) Yes. (d) No. (e) The reason why some of the lavatories were partially fitted with bulbs for some time was that bulbs were not available. A consignment of bulbs has recently been received and action has already been taken to replace those which were fused. (f) The lighting in stair-case was reduced in keeping with the general reduction in lighting which had to be effected owing to the shortage of power. They are partially lit. (g) I take it that the Honourable Member is referring to road lighting. This is adequately lighted as it must be owing to the amount of traffic. (h) The lighting standard will be increased when sufficient power becomes available. (i) This does not arise as sufficient light is generally provided in the stairs. In cases where there is doubt I will have the lighting improved in so far as the power position permits.

641 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 74 * Hardships under the Delhi Rent Control Order 436. Sardar Sant Singh : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state if it is a fact that a representation was submitted by the New Delhi House Owners’ and Lessees’ Association in December last against the provisions of the Rent Control Order to the Labour Department ? If so, has the representation been examined by the Department ? If so, what conclusions have been reached ? (b) Is the Honourable Member aware that the Rent Control Order is causing great hardship ? If so, are Government prepared to replace it by the Punjab Rent Restriction Act, 1941, which is in force in Old Delhi ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes. The representation is still under consideration. (b) No. The latter part of the question does not arise but I would refer the Honourable Member to the reply to part (c) of starred question No. 231. Sardar Sant Singh : May I ask the Honourable Member if he has seen the recent judgment of the Honourable the Chief Commissioner of Delhi in this connection ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I have not. 75 @Licences for Exploration and Scientific Prospecting of Potential Oil Sources 441. Mr. K. C. Neogy : Will the Honourable Member for Labour be pleased to state whether it is a fact that licences for carrying on * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1943, 30th March 1943, p. 1590. @ Ibid., p. 1594.

642 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES exploration work and scientific prospecting in respect of certain potential sources of oil in India, have been granted to British and American Companies ? If so, to which parties have such licences been granted, and what are the terms thereof? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Except in Centrally Administered Areas, the licences referred to are granted by Provincial Governments. The Central Government has no information regarding licences granted by Provincial Governments. No such licences have been granted in Centrally Administered Areas. The second part of the question docs not arise. Mr. K. C. Neogy : In view of the fact that the Department of Geological Survey has recently started Utilisation Branch, do Government think it necessary to keep themselves informed about licences granted by the Provincial Authorities in the case of important minerals ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Certainly. Mr. K. C. Neogy : Do I take it that according to the information of the Government of India, particularly of the Geological Department, no such licences have been granted by any Provincial Government ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : We have at present no information. If My Honourable friend wants I can collect it for him. Mr. K. C. Neogy : I understand from a scientific journal that licences have actually been granted to British and American companies for exploration work in connection with minerals. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : If my Honourable friend wants the information I will collect it for him. Mr. K. C. Neogy : Thank you. 76 * Desirability of Partitioning Compounds in front of Orthodox Quarters in New Delhi in Furtherance of ‘Grow More Food’ Campaigns 444. Hajee Chowdhury Muhammad Ismail Khan : With reference to the propaganda made by Government in regard to growing more * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1943, 30th March 1943, p. 1595.

643 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS food, does the Honourable the Labour Member propose to consider the desirability of partitioning the joint compound in front of the A, B and C type of orthodox quarters in New Delhi by hedges to enable the tenants thereof to follow that scheme ? If not, why not ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : There has been no general demand from the tenants concerned and if concrete suggestions are put forward by the tenants I am prepared to consider. 77 * Desirability of Allowing Government Servants Living in the New Area to Apply for Quarters in the Old Area of New Delhi 89. Mr. Amarendra Nath Chattopadhyaya : (a) Is the Honourable Member for Labour aware that: (i) according to Classification Rules the quarters in New Delhi for the ministerial establishment of the Government of India, are divided into two areas (a) Old Area (near the Secretariat) and (b) New Area (Minto Road side); (ii) when a member of the staff goes out of a certain class of quarter and becomes eligible for a higher class, he is required to live in the New Area at least for a year before he is provided with a quarter in the Old Area ; (iii) the Government of India have recently passed new rules for allotment under which persons holding Lens on quarters have been debarred from applying for any other quarters in the same class; (iv) under the new rules referred to above, new applicants have straight off become eligible for quarters in the old area whereas persons, who have been living in the New Area for a sufficiently * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1943, 30th March 1943, p. 1595.

644 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES long time and whose names have been on the waiting list, have been deprived of this privilege which they have been enjoying for a long time without any cogent reason; (v) the Government of India have framed the new rules without consulting the Imperial Secretariat Association, Attached Offices Association and the General Headquarters Association who watch the interests of the ministerial staff; (vi) persons living in the New Area have pay at least six annas per day per head on bus or tonga hire while coming to, and going back from, office ; and (vii) members of the staff living in the New Area are not drawing any conveyance allowance ? (b) If the replies to parts (a) (i) to (vii) above in the affirmative, does he propose to remove this disability, with a view to allowing Government servants living in the New Area (Minto Road Area) to apply for quarters in Old Area ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) (i) and (ii) No. (iii) Yes. (iv) Change of quarters is not allowed under the new rules except in the case of ‘C’ combined orthodox type, but as stated in the reply to (a) (i) the quarters are not divided into areas. (v) Yes. (vi) I am prepared to take this fact from the Honourable Member. (vii) No conveyance allowance is given to the tenants of any quarters. (b) I am prepared to have the matter Considered. 78 *Operations of the Utilisation Branch of the Geological Survey of India in Respect of Certain Minerals 92. Mr. K. C. Neogy : Will the Honourable Member for Labour be pleased to make a detailed statement indicating the progress of the * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1943, 30th March 1943 pp 1596.98.