Vol. 10 · pages 856–860

835 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (f) First part. Yes. Second part. No, because the deposits in Travan-core are much richer than those in Madras, and the demand for this mineral is limited. (g) Yes. (h) Yes, mica is largely exported. (i) The Government of India have under consideration a scheme of expansion of the Geological Survey of India, both in personnel and in activities; it is hoped that in future a much more intensive study of the mineral deposits in the country would be possible than is the case at present. (j) The question should be addressed to the appropriate Member. 257 * Damodar Canal and Polavaram Projects 65. Prof. N. G. Ranga : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state : (a) whether, in view of his references to the Tennessey Valley Authority as a model after which the Damodar Canal (Bengal) and Polavaram (Madras) projects are to be developed, Government would be pleased to get a brief report published about the general aspects of that scheme and its achievements ; (b) whether, in view of the special need of Bengal for relief from floods, flood-relief will be accepted as the primary objective of the proposed Damodar project; and (c) whether, in view of the great need of scheduled classes (Harijans) of Bengal and Bihar for lands, the Government of India will take special steps to set aside adequate funds for obtaining large areas of lands for co-operative settlement and cultivation by the Harijans of Bengal and Bihar ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The Tennessey Valley Authority is a foreign Government organisation. A copy of the report on the working of the Authority will be obtained and placed in the library of the House. * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1945, 9th February 1945, p. 118.

836 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES (b) Yes ; flood-control will receive priority over other aspects of control measures. (c) The problem of the best way of helping landless labourers is engaging the attention of Government. 258 * Higher Prices Charged for Rice in Bihar Coalfields 72. Mr. K. C. Neogy : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state whether it is a fact that, in spite of his reply to my starred question No. 611 (b) on the 20th November, 1944, that the Bihar Government have decided to charge the local wholesale controlled rate plus four annas administrative charge and to bear the resulting loss, the Joint Pool at Jharia is continuing to charge the old rate from its members ? (b) Is it a fact that some mine-owners have lodged protest with the Central Government on this question ? If so, what steps have been taken to redress their grievances ? (c) Is it a fact that the General Manager of a large colliery in the Province of Bihar has been committed to the Court of Session by the Magistrate, Dhanbad, to stand his trial under Section 81 of the Defence of India Rules at the instance of the Rationing Officer, Dhanbad, for supply of rice to the miners in excess of the prescribed ratio for the purpose of increasing the output of coal at his colliery ? (d) Is it a fact that the Rationing Officer, Dhanbad, himself on behalf of the Bihar Government was charging and allowing the Joint Pool to charge higher rates over the declared controlled rates during the same period, as admitted by the Honourable Member in reply to my above question ? (e) Will Government consider the desirability of taking necessary steps against the said Rationing Officer, Dhanbad, for violating the rules promulgated under the Ordinance, dated the 9th February, 1944, issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Dhanbad, by charging higher rates than the controlled rates of rice ? * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1945, 9th February 1945, p. 121.

837 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) and (b) The Bihar Government report that they have received no protest to this effect but I have received one and have asked the Bihar Government for a further report. The matter will be further considered on receipt of their report. (c) Yes. (d) Collieries were being charged in excess of control rates for foodgrains prior to November, 1944, under the orders of the Provincial Government. (e) Does not arise in view of reply to part (d). 259 * Purchasing of Delhi Electric Supply and Traction Company 76. Mr. K. C. Neogy : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to refer to his reply to my starred question No. 419 on the 15th November, 1944 and state whether any decision has been arrived at in regard to the question of the Government exercising their option to purchase the Delhi Electric Supply and Traction Company, Limited, on the expiry of their present licence ? (b) If it has been decided to exercise this option, has the required notice been served on the Company ? (c) In the event of the undertaking being taken over by Government, what will be the machinery for running it in future ? (d) In case it has been decided not to exercise the aforesaid option, will the Honourable Member be pleased to make a detailed statement of the reasons for such decision ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) and (b). It is understood that the Chief Commissioner has decided to serve a notice on the Company of the intention of Government to exercise their option to purchase, but that the notice has not yet been served. (c) No decision has yet been taken. (d) Does not arise. * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1945, 9th February 1945, pp. 123-24.

838 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES 260 * Recent Racial and Religious Distinction set up by Labour Department about Allotment of Quarters Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim): The next notice of an adjournment motion is from Sir Syed Raza Ali to censure the Government of India for the racial and religious distinction recently set up by the Labour Department in the allotment of houses in favour of Europeans, Anglo-Indians and Indian Christians by issuing Memorandum No. WII-4/114, dated 25th Januray, 1945. I should like to know from the Member in charge what exactly the position is. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member): Sir, I have looked into the Memorandum and I am told that instead of the word “Indian” the word “Indian Christians” crept it. through inadvertance. It will be corrected so that there will be no discrimination involved at all. Sir Syed Raza Ali (Cities of the United Provinces : Muhammadan Urban): I think the best thing would be for the Honourable Member to make a statement in this House and have the whole thing placed on record. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I have corrected the Office Memorandum and it will be issued in the altered form. Sir Syed Raza Ali : But the House would like to know something as to what is being talked about. What is the meaning of the Memorandum as it stands and what is the correction that my Honourable friend has made and what will be the effect of the correction. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The Memorandum that was originally issued read as follows : “This Department has had under consideration the question of the abolition of the distinction between ‘Orthodox’ and ‘Unorthodox’ types of quarters available in Delhi, New Delhi and Simla for * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1945, 10th February 1945, p. 206.

839 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS allotment to officers drawing less than Rs. 600 per mensem. After considering the views of the Departments, it has been decided that the distinction should be abolished with effect from the next summer season. In respect of Europeans, Anglo-Indians and Indian Christians, in whose case the Estate Officer is satisfied that they profess European habits, the Estate Officer has been vested with discretion to allot residence with raised W. C. (unorthodox quarters) to them provided they are otherwise eligible for the particular category of ‘A’, ‘B’ ‘C’ and ‘D’ type of accommodation.” Necessary amendments to the rules will be made in due course. That was the original Memorandum that was issued. The amended Memorandum makes this change. “The Estate Officer has been vested with discretion to allot residences with raised W. C. (unorthodox quarters) to those officers, whether European, Anglo-Indian or Indian, in whose case he is satisfied that they profess European habits, provided they are otherwise eligible for the particular categories of “A”, “B”, “C” and “D”. 261 * Ignoring Claims of Central Assembly Members for Accommodation in Western Court Rooms 156. Mr. Abdul Qaiyum: Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state : (a) Whether certain rooms in the Western Court and other accommodation are primarily intended for the Honourable Members of the Central Assembly attending the Sessions or Select Committees. (b) whether in allotting accommodation for the Select Committee on the Insurance Bill, the claims of the Members have been ignored and the Members of the National Defence Council have been given preference ; and, if so, why ; and (c) whether due regard to the prior claims of the Members of the Central Legislative Assembly will be paid in future ? * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1945, 14th February 1945, pp. 323-24.