Vol. 10 · pages 736–740

715L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (b) Coal Stocks were checked at the end of May 1943, and a shortage of over 2 million tons was found. During 1942 a number of collieries had given fictitious figures of raising probably in order to obtain a better wagon allotment. Proceedings have been taken against a number of collieries for submitting incorrect returns. Periodical checks are now made. 150 * The Coal Mines Safety (Stowing) Amendment Bill The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member): Sir, I beg to move for leave to introduce a Bill further to amend the Coal Mines Safety (Stowing) Act, 1939. Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim): The question is: “That leave be granted to introduce a Bill further to amend the Coal Mines Safety (Stowing) Act, 1939.” The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Sir, I introduce the Bill. 151 @ Lifting of Ban on Employment of Women on Underground Work in Coal Mines Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim): The next motion is in the name of Mrs. Renuka Ray. She wishes to discuss the question of permission given to women to work underground in the coal mines at Jharia and other neighbouring areas. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member): The only point I would like to submit is that the matter which is sought to be raised on this adjournment motion cannot be said to be a matter of recent occurrence. The original notifications under which the prohibitions were lifted are two; one is dated the 2nd August 1943, and the * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1944, 7th February 1944, p. 55. @ Ibid. p. 93.

716 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES other is dated the 18lh August 1943. The notification dated the 24th November 1943, is merely a continuation of the notifications to which I have already referred and which are dated August 1943. There has been a Session of the Legislature after the August notifications were issued. Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim) : What was the notification ? Permitting women to work underground ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Yes. I would also like to say that I do not wish to take my stand on these formal objections to the motion, and if the House desires to have this matter discussed I am prepared to give in. Mr. N. M. Joshi (Nominated Non-Official): May I say a word on this point ? Although the Government of India may have issued their notifications before the last Session of the Assembly, actual effect was given to them in the most important coal mining areas only recently. I therefore feel that the subject is of importance and of recent occurrence. Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim) : The notifications of August did not refer to Jharia and other neighbouring areas ? Mr. N. M. Joshi : No. Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim) : Were these areas excluded from the notifications? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : No. We have proceeded stage by stage. The first intention of the Government of India to lift this prohibition was dated the 2nd August 1943. That applied to C. P. and Berar mines. Mrs. Renuka Ray (Nominated Non-Official): May I point out that the notifications of the 2nd and 18th August 1943 were protested against, but Government took no notice of the protests. In any case I have only brought up Jharia and other neighbouring areas and notifications relating to them came out after the last Session of the legislature. Mr. President-(The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim) : That being so and as the Honourable Member in charge has no objection to the motion being discussed, the motion will be taken up at 4 o’clock.

717L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 152 * Conservation of Coal in India 80. Mr. K. C. Neogy : (a) Has the attention of the Honourable Member for Labour been drawn to the observations on the question of conservation of coal in India made by Dr. H. K. Sen, Director, Indian Lac Research Institute, Namkum, Ranchi, and Chairman of the Fuel Research Committee of the Board of Scientific and Industrial Research, in the course of certain lectures delivered in December, 1943, at the Patna University ? (b) Is it a fact that this question has from time to time been raised for the consideration of Government by different experts ? If so, what action has so far been taken by Government in this matter ? (c) To what extent and in what manner has the larger utilisation of low grade coal, particularly on the part of the Railways, as suggested by Dr. Sen in his aforesaid lectures, been carried out or is proposed to be carried out in future. (d) Are these questions being taken up for immediate consideration in view particularly of difficulties of the present coal position in the country ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) No. (b) Yes. (i) In 1939 the Government of India passed the Coal Mines Stowing Act. The Slowing Board has, by assistance given to voluntary stowing achieved considerable success in the conservation of high quality coal. (ii) Under certain regulations under the Indian Coal Mines Regulations passed in 1939 restrictions were imposed on the dimension of workings which, apart from their safety value, have led to the conservation of coal. (c) Expert Combustion Engineers have been attached to the office of the Controller of Coal Distribution, one of whose duties will be to ensure that industries that can consume a lower grade of coal are not supplied with a higher grade. The assistance of Provincial Governments has been invited in conducting a survey of coal consuming factories * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central). Vol. I of 1944, 10th February 1944, pp. 203-4.

718 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES through the agency of Boiler Inspectors in consultation with Combustion Engineers. Government attach importance to a vigorous fuel economy campaign and this is already receiving the attention of the Coal Commissioner. Low grade coal is supplied to the maximum extent possible for the various services against Railway demands. (d) These questions are constantly under the attention of Government. Mr. K. C. Neogy : I think the Honourable Member said that his attention has not been drawn to the observations to which I refer. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : My attention has not been drawn to the lectures to which the Honourable Member refers. Mr. K. C. Neogy : But they were reported in the press. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: They might have been. Mr. K. C. Neogy: But is it not expected that the Honourable Member should take some notice of such important observations ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Not everything that appears in newspapers. Mr. K. C. Neogy : But the gentleman holds rather a responsible position. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I would like the Honourable Member to send me a copy. I have not seen it. Mr. K. C. Neogy : That is rather a pity. May I know whether in connection with the present coal drive he will see to it that as much as possible, and as high a proportion as possible, of the low grade coal is utilised for the purpose ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I have already said that Government have undertaken measures in that direction. Mr. K. C. Neogy : I was wanting the Honourable Member’s assurance in connection with the present coal drive. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Certainly. Mr. Hooseinbhoy A. Lalljee : May I ask how many experts have been employed. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I must have notice of that question.

719L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 153 * Coal Position 82. Sir F. E. James : Will the Honourable Member for Labour be pleased to state: (a) the latest position regarding coal production in India, and whether there has been any increase or reduction in raisings since the 1st December 1943; and, if so, to what extent; (b) If he is aware that a number of colliery are not working at all or not working to full capacity; (c) what steps, with a special reference to the provision of labour, foodgrains, mechanisation and taxation adjustments; (d) what steps are being taken; (i) to deal with recalcitrant colliery owners who are deliberately refraining from producing the maximum possible; and (ii) to ensure the efficient distribution of coal, and to prevent its going into the black market, and (e) whether Railway collieries are working to full capacity; and if not, why not ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Coal production has recently shown some improvement. Raisings in December 1943, showed an increase of over 20 per cent over November. January figures are not yet available; but it is believed that there has been a still further increase. (b) Government are not aware of any mines which can be safely and economically worked and which have been closed down. A number of mines have not been able to work to full capacity due to shortage of labour or machinery or to their workings having become flooded during the last monsoon. (c)(i) A Government labour force up to 10,000 men is being established in the Bengal and Bihar coalfields initially for work on quarrying or loading coal. It is hoped that after some experience it will work underground. The first 1,000 men have already arrived. A force of 1,000 men have also been provided temporarily by the military for coal loading. Government labour has also been provided for railway * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1944, 10th February 1944, pp. 205-7.