Vol. 10 · pages 761–765

740 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES (e) whether in the Public Works Department Enquiry Offices, more prompt attention is given to complaints from unorthodox quarters and preference is also shown to unorthodox quarters in the matter of annual repairs and general maintenance, etc.; (f) whether the cost of maintenance of an unorthodox quarter is much more than that of an orthodox quarter, and that, while return on capital in the case of an unorthodox quarter is comparatively negligible, the orthodox quarters provide adequate revenue to Government; (g) if the reply to (a) be in the affirmative, the reasons for discriminating between unorthodox and orthodox types of quarters in regard to amenities referred to and for charging rent on the same basis, i.e., ten per cent for both types; and (h) whether Government are prepared to amend their Fundamental Rules so as to make them conform to strict business principles ; if not, why not ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) The answer to first part of the question is in affirmative and to the latter in the negative. (b) No. (c) yes so far as items No. (i), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (viii) are concerned. A room for servant exists in other than D and E orthodox quarters and unfiltered water connection is provided in the open compound outside the orthodox quarters. (d) Yes. (e) No. (f) The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the position is as follows : Government servants occupying quarter of both the types pay standard rent or 10 per cent, of their pay, whichever is less, but the standard rents of orthodox quarters being lower, a larger number of occupants pay the standard rent. (g) The amenities provided in the two types of quarters are in accordance with the standard designs which were prepared to suit the orthodox and unorthodox styles of living. Rent is charged according to rules.

741L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (h) No. Government provide accommodation at concessional rates as laid down in the rules, which cannot be varied to suit the varying circumstances of officers. Sardar Sant Singh : May I know if it is a part of the rule to provide water in the compound of the orthodox quarters and in the case of the unorthodox quarters only in the quarter itself ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : That must be so. 171 * Promotion of Qualified Copyholders and Revisers as Readers in Government of India Presses 501. Mr. Muhammad Hussain Choudhury : (a) With reference to the reply to part (d) of starred question No. 231 put by Qazi Muhammad Ahmad Kazmi, on the 25th February 1944, regarding promotion of Copyholders and Revisers as Readers in the Government of India Press, will the Honourable the Labour Member kindly state whether the ‘ anomaly’ is due to the fact that departmental men passing in earlier dates do not get any preference whatsoever over those who pass in the second chance in subsequent examinations ? (b) Is he aware that those who pass the examination earlier stand distinctly higher in order of merit and efficiency and experience in Readers’ posts ? (c) Is it a fact that the present anomaly and the hardship that existed before the promulgation of the existing rule can not be removed unless the date of passing is accepted as a citerion for determining the position of the candidates for Readers’ posts ? (d) Do Government propose to promote the candidates to readers’ posts on the basis of seniority cum efficiency, i.e., according to seniority but in order of the dates of passing the examination ? If not, why not ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) No. (b) No. The earlier passing of the examination does not necessarily mean higher merit. (c) There is no anomaly in the case of persons who qualify at the Readership examination in the first or second chance. As regards men * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1944, 17th March 1944, pp. 1224-25.

742 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES who qualify in the third chance, certain anomalies have arisen and the question of removing them is now under consideration, as stated in reply to part (d) of Qazi Muhammad Ahmad Kazmi’s question No. 231. (d) The Readership examination is a qualifying examination and every candidate is permitted to avail of two chances. Government do not propose to regulate promotion in order of the dates of passing the examination. 172 * Biharis as Assistant Geologists @ 504. Mr. Kailash Bihari Lall: Will the Honourable Member for Labour be pleased to state : (a) if it is not a fact that in the Department of Geological Survey of India vacancies are fillled on the basis of quota fixed for each Province; (b) the quota fixed for Bihar for the posts of Assistant Geologists ; (c) how many Biharis are working at present as Assistant Geologists or in a higher capacity ; and (d) the quotas for different Provinces ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) No. (b) Does not arise. (c) Information is being collected and will be laid on the table of the House. (d) Does not arise. 173 † Promotion of Qualified Copyholders and Revisers as Readers in Government of India Presses @ 506. Mr. Kailash Bihari Lall: Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that the case of amending the rule regarding the promotion of qualified Copyholders and Revisers as Reders in Government of India Presses is under consideration; * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1944, 17th March 1944, p. 1226. @ Answer to this question laid on the table, the questioner being absent. † Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1944, 17th March 1944, p. 1226.

743L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (b) whether it is a fact that the views of all the Government of India Presses, their Works Committees and Workers’ Union which were invited, are also under examination; (c) whether it is a fact that some qualified Copyholders who passed the Readership Examination in the year 1936, according to the present rules, have been superseded by those who qualified, after four years (in 1940); and (d) whether it is a fact that these men who passed the examination at a sufficiently earlier date, were superseded by those who qualified after a long period ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes. Attention is invited to the reply given on the 25th February 1944, to Qazi Muhammad Ahmad Kazmi’s question No. 231. (b) Yes. (c) and (d). No. As the Rules in force till 1940 required requalifying, no supersession was involved. 174 * Transfer of Languages Section of Bureau of Public Information to Lahore 140. Mr. Muhammad Azhar Ali: (a) Will the Honourable Member for Labour please state the area of the space allotted to the Languages Section (excluding officers) in Lahore, and the total strength of the staff accommodated therein ? Do Government consider this adequate for the efficiency of the staff ? Was not even this much space available in Delhi ? (b) Are Government aware that the lavatory has been provided for the staff and the improvised urinal has no drainage arrangement ? (c) What is the strength of the staff belonging to the Brureau of Public Information which has been transferred from Delhi to Lahore ? Of them how many were provided with quarters in Delhi, and how may in Lahore ? How many of them have so far surrendered their quarters in Lahore on grounds of inadequate accommodation ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) An area of 4,587 Sq. ft. was allotted to this office. The ministerial staff consist of 48 persons. * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1944, 17th March 1944, p. 1227.

744 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES Second part—Yes. Third part—No. (b) The answer to the first half of the question is in the affirmative and to the second half in the negative. (c) Strength of the staff that moved from Delhi … 35 Number of the Staff provided with quarters in Delhi … 7 Number of the Staff provided with quarters in Lahore… 18 Number of the Staff that surrendered accommodation in 5 Lahore on grounds of inadequacy. 175 * Delays at Sales Office of Manager of Publications, Delhi 141. Mr. Kailash Bihari Lall: Will the Honourable Member for Labour please state if it is a fact that a person has to wait for hours for publications at the counter of the Sales Office of the office of the Manager of Publications, Old Bihar ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The reply is in the negative. 176 @ Election of Members to the Standing Committee for the Labour Department The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member): Sir I move : “That this Assembly do proceed to elect, in such manner as the Honourable the president may direct, five non-official Members to serve on the Standing Committee to advise on subjects, with which the Labour Department is concerned.” * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1944, 17th March 1944, p. 1227. @ Ibid., p. 1235.