Vol. 10 · pages 671–675

650 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES 80 * Deputation on Behalf of the Coal Industry in Bengal and Bihar Mr. K. C. Neogy: Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state whether he received on the 25th March last a deputation on behalf of the different organisations representing the coal industry in Bengal and Bihar ? If so, what was the subject matter of the representation made by the deputation, and what action is proposed to be taken by Government thereon ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : A deputation of the organisations representing the coal industry in Bengal and Bihar was received on the 25th March as stated by the Honourable Member. The subject matter was their anxiety concerning future arrangements to replenish their existing rice stocks. The deputation stated that their Associations saw no certain prospects of maintaining their stocks as the Provincial Governments concerned, whilst promising whatever help they could give, did not feel able to guarantee supplies. The Central Government pointed out that they had asked the organisations some time back for a combined distribution scheme which had not been received. The deputation was informed that the Central Government were importing considerable quantities of rice into Bengal and that if it were found the Provincial Governments were not able to help, then assistance would be given by the Central Government. Since then representatives of the organisations have had an interview with a representative of the Food Department in Calcutta, and the food position of coal mining labour has been secured for a future period by the provision of certain supplies by the Central Government. Mr. K. C. Neogy : The Honourable Member referred to replenishing existing stocks of rice. Is the Honourable Member in a position to state approximately the quantity of rice that may be available now to the different collieries ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : As I stated in my reply, the food position of the coal-mining labour has been secured for a further period by the provision of certain supplies by the Central Government. * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1943, 2nd April 1943, pp. 1734-35.

651L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Mr. K. C. Neogy : What I was referring to was the existing rice stocks which the Honourable Member referred to. What is the amount of these existing rice stocks ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The position differed in Bengal and Bihar, and if I remember correctly, what was stated by the deputation was that they had stocks for four or five weeks. 81 * Scheme for Cheap Grain Shops for Bengal and Bihar Colliery Labour Mr. K. C. Neogy : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state if it is a fact that in a communication to the Governments of Bengal and Bihar, the Labour Department of the Government of India proposed a scheme for the establishment of cheap grain shops in April 1942, for the benefit of colliery labour ? If so, what response did the scheme meet with at the hands of the two Provincial Governments and of the organisations of the coal industry ? (b) Has any effective action been taken by either of the two Provincial Governments as an alternative to the above scheme for ensuring a cheap supply of food grains to colliery labour ? If so, on what lines, and when ? (c) What action, if any, has been taken by the organisations of the coal industry or by individual collieries for the supply of cheap food grains to labour; and what help, if any, has been rendered by either of the two Provincial Governments to them in the matter ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes. The Bihar Government considered that other methods of dealing with the problem were preferable. No reply was received from the Bengal Government. (b) So far as the Central Government’s information goes both the Provincial Governments have through their local officers taken all possible steps to ensure a supply of food grains at cheap rates to colliery labour. (c) It is not understood what the Honourable Member means by cheap food grains. The principal Employers’ Organisations in the coal * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1943, 2nd April 1943, p. 1735.

652 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES industry made arrangements to supply food grains at reasonable prices to their labour. The Provincial Governments assisted them in obtaining food grains. Mr. K. C. Neogy : I am afraid I have not received a reply to the second part, clause (b), of my question, viz., “Has any effective action been taken by either of the two Provincial Governments : if so, on what lines and when ?” The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : As I said, they helped them to secure food supplies. Mr. K. C. Neogy : But exactly in what way ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : They helped them in getting them. Mr. K. C. Neogy : But in what way was that help rendered, because we have instances in which there was actual hindrance ? Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : What steps have the colliery owners taken to supply food to their labour ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : As I said, they maintained stocks and were also helped by the provincial Governments to maintain them. Mr. K. C. Neogy : Has the attention of the Honourable Member been drawn to an instance in which certain stocks of rice which certain colliery owners acquired for their collieries were actually commandeered by the Government and a complaint to that effect was made by them to the Provincial Governments and here ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I have no such information. 82 * The War Injuries (Compensation Insurance) Bill Presentation of the Report of the Select Committee The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member): Sir, I present the Report of the Select Committee on the 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. III of 1943, 26th July 1943, pp. 42-43.

653L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 83 *The Indian Boilers (Amendment) Bill The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member): Sir, I move for leave to introduce a Bill further to amend the Indian Boilers Act, 1923. Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim): The question is : “That leave be granted to introduce a Bill further to amend the Indian Boilers Act, 1923.” The Motion was adopted. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Sir, I introduce the Bill. 84 @ The Mines Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member): Sir, I move for leave to introduce a Bill to amend the Mines Maternity Benefit Act. 1941. Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim): The question is : “That leave be granted to introduce a Bill to amend the Mines Maternity Benefit Act, 1941.” The motion was adopted. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Sir, I introduce the Bill. 85 †The Motor Vehicles (Drivers) Amendment Bill The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member): Sir, I move for leave to introduce a Bill to amend the Motor Vehicles (Drivers) Ordinance, 1942. Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim): The question is : “That leave be granted to introduce a Bill to amend the Motor Vehicles (Drivers) Ordinance, 1942.” The motion was adopted. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Sir, I introduce the Bill. *Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. III of 1943, 26th July 1943, p. 43. @ Ibid., p. 43. †Ibid., p. 43.

654 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES 86 *Unsatisfactory Arrangements for Accommodation of Assembly at Simla 61. Mr. Amarendra Nath Chattopadhyaya : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state if it is not the duty of the Estate Officer, Central Public Works Department, to arrange for the accommodation of the Member of the Assembly when they are wanted temporarily at Simla for attending Committee meetings ? (b) Is it not their duty to see that the Members are not put to any inconvenience on account of light or bad arrangements for accommodation ? (c) Is the Honourable Member aware of the fact that the Cart Road quarters which were set apart for the Assembly Members viz., 2, 3 and 11 during the Hindu Law Committee Sittings were more inconveniently arranged in comparison with No. 20 ? Is the Honourable Member prepared to enquire into the matter of selecting these quarters for the Assembly Members by the Estate Officer during Committee meetings in May and June ? (d) Will the Honourable Member consider changes in the arrangements in these quarters after proper enquiries ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The Estate Officer’s duty is to allot such accommodation to the Members of the Central Legislature as is specified by Government in consultation with the House Committee. (b) All the quarters are planned so as to avoid, as far as possible, any inconvenience to Members. (c) The quarters on the Cart Road were built according to approved plans. Quarters Nos. 2 and 3 are on the highest level and were reserved for the Members in consultation with the House Committee of the Legislature, as they were considered to be very conveniently situated. The arrangement of the rooms in Nos. 2 and 3 differs slightly from that of the rooms in No. 20. Some Members consider a particular arrangement of the rooms in a house convenient irrespective of the level * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. III of 1943, 28th July 1943, p. 129.