Vol. 10 · pages 706–710

685L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (c) The provisions of Section 15(3) are not mandatory and there is nothing in the Act to prevent an Inspector from making reports to Railway Administration and getting any claims settled amicably. Mr. Lalchand Navalrai : Have these Inspectors enough power to make recommendations ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Yes. Mr. N. M. Joshi : May I ask if these irregularities are found on the Company-managed railways or even on the State-managed railways ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I must have notice of that question. 118 * Activities of the Conciliation Officer (Railways) 131. Mr. Lalchand Navalrai : (a) Will the Honourable Member for Labour be pleased to refer to his reply to Mr. N. M. Joshi in regard to starred question No. 147 asked by me on the 19th February, 1943, stating that he would consider extending the field of activities of the Conciliation Officer (Railways), and state whether any action has been taken in the matter ? If so, is it proposed to make a brief statement on the subject ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The question is still under consideration and I am not at present in a position to make any statement. Mr. Lalchand Navalrai : What is delaying the consideration so much ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I said that the matter is under consideration. Mr. Lalchand Navalrai : Why is it taking so long ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I do not think it has taken a long time. Mr. Hooseinbhoy A. Lalljee : When will it reach the stage of active consideration ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The stage of consideration is now complete. Mr. Govind V. Deshmukh : Since when has the matter been under consideration ? * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1943, 13th November 1943, p. 231.

686 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : For a long time and particularly since the time when Mr. Joshi asked his question. 119 *Institution of Engineers 136. Mr. Ananga Mohan Dam : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state : (a) whether the Institution of Engineers is an examining body whose diploma of A.M.I.E. is recognised by the Government of India as being equivalent to degree standard in Engineering ; (b) whether the Government (Central or Provincial) financially help this Institution ; if so, the amount of aid granted ; (c) whether it is not a fact that the Institution has for its patrons and Honorary Members, Their Excellencies the Viceroy and the Provincial Governors ; (d) whether Government are aware that this Institution has obtained the Royal Charter; (e) whether it is a fact that sister Institutions in England, e.g., the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, the Institute of Civil Engineers, the Institute of Electrical Engineers, have not yet recognised the examinations conducted by the Institute of Engineers, India ; and (f) if the Government of India propose to move His Majesty’s Government to request these British institutions to accord recognition to this Indian Institution ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes. (b) The Central Government do not render any financial help to the Institution, but I have no information whether Provincial Governments do so or not. (c) His Excellency the Viceroy and provincial Governors are Honorary Members of the Institution. (d) Yes. (e) Government have no information. (f) It is for the Indian Institution itself to raise the question, if necessary. I would, therefore, suggest to my Honourable friend that he addresses that Institution in the matter. * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1943, 13lh November 1943, pp. 233-34.

687L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 120 * Constructing a Large Hotel for Indian Clerks in New Delhi @ 145. Sardar Sant Singh : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state whether Government have considered the advisability of constructing a large several storeyed building in New Delhi in the form of a big hotel in order to provide lodging and boarding facilities for Indian clerks who are otherwise put to considerable difficulties in obtaining these at present ? (b) Is it a fact that many buildings have been constructed for the accommodation of European single non-Commissioned Officers, etc., and that these are being run as hostels ? (c) Are Government prepared to provide similar facilities for the Indian single clerks ? If not, why not ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Government are considering the possibility of erecting a hostel for clerks. (b) Yes. (c) Government have already provided chummries of Orthodox and Un-orthodox types for Indian single clerks and they are considering whether there will be an adequate demand to justify the erection of a hostel. 121 †Delay in Attending to the Complaints Made to Minto Road and Havelock Square Enquiry Offices, New Delhi @ 147. Sardar Sant Singh : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state whether Government are aware that complaints made to the Enquiry Offices at Minto Road and Havelock Square regarding repairs, etc., to orthodox clerks quarters in those neighbourhoods are attended to generally after considerable delay ? * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1943, 13th November 1943, pp. 242-43. † Ibid., pp. 243-44. @ Answer to this question laid on the table, the questioner being absent.

688 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES (b) Are Government aware— (i) that some of these complaints are not attended to at all; and (ii) that letters sent on the subject to the Executive Engineer, Construction III Division, or to other authorities in ‘B’ Division, remain unacknowledged and without any action being taken on them? (c) Are Government prepared to issue instructions to the authorities concerned to acknowledge all letters sent to them, and to take appropriate action thereon ? If not, why not ? (d) Are Government aware— (i) that a lot of inconvenience is being caused to their tenants by the irregular method adopted by the contractors regarding whitewashing, etc.; (ii) that they send men round to the quarters and the tenants are asked to keep their rooms clear of furniture on a certain day, and then while-washing labour is not sent for several days later; and (iii) that when white-washing is finished the cleaning of doors and glass panes is not done at once, and the tenants are unable to arrange their houses for several days ? (c) Are Government prepared to take action to redress these grievances of their tenants ? If not, why not ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) No. (b) (i) No. (ii) Action on letters received by Executive Engineers is taken at once and necessity is not felt of acknowledging all letters. (c) Yes. (d) (i), (ii) and (iii) No. (e) Yes, Government intend issuing instructions to Executive Engineers to make frequent personal inspections. 122 * Newly-Constructed E-Type Orthodox Quarters in the Open Space Between Baird Square East and Irwin Road in New Delhi @148. Sardar Sant Singh : (a) Is the Honourable the Labour Member aware that a number of E-Type orthodox quarters have been * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1943, 13th November 1943, p. 244. @ Answer to this question laid on the table, the questioner being absent.

689L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS constructed in the open space lying between Baird Square, East and Irwin Road in New Delhi ? (b) Is he aware— (i) that this area now looks very much like a congested portion of the city containing small gallies and lanes ; and (ii) that the present officials of the Central Public Works Department have totally ignored the original idea of the layout of New Delhi, and have made the said area very congested ? (c) Is it a fact that it is proposed to construct more E-type orthodox quarters ? (d) Are Government prepared to consider the advisability of constructing new quarters in such a manner that the “Clerks’ residential areas” do not become more congested than they are at present, and that provision is made for lawns and open spaces near these quarters ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes. (b) (i) and (ii) No. (c) Yes. (d) Government have always acted in this manner. 123 * Desirability of Closing Certain Passages in Havelock and Baird Squares New Delhi @149. Sardar Sant Singh : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state whether it is a fact that all the squares of D-type orthodox clerks quarters in the D.I.Z. Area of New Delhi had their four corners open as passage ? (b) Is it a fact that these passages were closed later ? (c) Was one of the reasons to protect the lawns in front of the quarters in those squares ? (d) Are Government aware— (i) that in Havelock and Baird Squares, B and C-type of quarters, there are passages after every two quarters except at the corners ; and * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1943, 13th November 1943, pp. 244-45. @ Answer to this question laid on the table, the questioner being absent.