Vol. 10 · pages 891–895

870 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES (c) Under the Government of India Act, 1935 Mineral Development is a Provincial subject except to such extent as is declared by a Federal law to be expedient in the public interest. No such federal law at present exists and Mineral Development has therefore been left entirely to Provincial Governments. But even so during the war the Central Government has given considerable assistance to mica producers in helping them to get supplies and by allowing the bonus on excess production to be free of excess profits tax. Mr. Manu Subedar : Is it a fact that Government have controlled the price of mica and that bulk of the mica has been purchased both for this Government and for the Allied Governments at controlled prices, and that the control has been introduced by the Central Government ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Prices have been fixed. Mr. Manu Subedar : May I know how these prices compare with the pre-war prices ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : They compare very favourably. Mr. Manu Subedar : How much is the difference ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Sir, I must have notice of that question. Mr. N. M. Joshi : May I ask whether the Mica Commission is going to consider the conditions of work of the mica miners, and, if so, whether the miners are represented on the Mica Commission ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : No, that is not one of the subjects which the Commission will make enquiries about. Mr. G. W. Tyson : With reference to part (c) of the question, will the Honourable Member say whether he is satisfied that during the war, in which period the Central Government has had a good deal to do with the mica industry, Government has accorded protection to the mechanized mining companies which have suffered very heavy losses as a result of the illicit trade in mica ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : That is one of the reason why the Committee was appointed. Shrimati K. Radha Bai Subbarayan : May I know if the Maternity Benefit Act is applied to mica factories ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : It applies to all mines.

871 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Shrimati K. Radha Bai Subbarayan : Is it a fact that the Factories Act is not applied to mica splitting factories. If so, why ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I have no reason to believe that it is not applied. Shrimati K. Radha Bai Subbarayan : May I draw the attention of the Government to the report in the Trade Unions Record of September, 1944? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Probably that might need further corroboration. Mr. N. M. Joshi : May I ask whether the Honourable Member will make enquiries to find out whether the Factories Act applied to mica factories, or not ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I will make enquiries. 289 *Abolition of Distinction between Orthodox and Un-Orthodox Quarters 662. Mr. T. T. Krishnamachari : (a) With reference to the Honourable the Labour Member’s reply to the adjournment motion on the 10th February, 1945, regarding the abolition of the distinction between orthodox and un-orthodox quarters, will he be pleased to state whether other Departments of Government were consulted and which and how many of the Departments of the Government of India were for and against the proposal to abolish the distinction ? (b) Has the Estate Officer been vested till now with the discretion to allow un-orthodox quarters ? If not, why has he now been vested with such discretion ? (c) What is the method or machinery by which the Estate Officer will be able to satisfy himself whether an applicant, who is an Indian, professes European habits and thus becomes eligible for a unit in the un-orthodox quarters ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes. Government do not consider it necessary to specify the Departments who were against or in favour of the proposal. * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1945, 5th March 1945, p. 1023.

872 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES (b) No. The Estate Officer will have no discretion in the allotment of un-orthodox quarters as Government have decided that a declaration by an applicant in respect of his style of living should be accepted without question. (c) Does not arise. 290 *Abolition of Distinction Between Orthodox and Un-Orthodox Quarters 663. Mr. T. T. Krishnamachari : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state whether, according to his reply of the 10th instant in connection with the adjournment motion on the same subject, mentioned in the preceding question, it is proposed to disturb the provisional lien holders of un-orthodox quarters ? If so, will they be allotted similar accommodation of the type to which they are eligible, if available ? (b) In the event of such higher category accommodation not being available, is it the intention to allow them as heretofore to continue in the type of house they are already in occupation until such time as the higher type accommodation is available ? If not, why not ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part does not arise. (b) Yes. 291 @ Break-Down of Trade Disputes Arbitration Machinery in Ahmedabad 668. Mr. K. S. Gupta : (a) Is the Honourable the Labour Member aware of the serious situation arising out of the break-down of the permanent machinery of arbitration for settlement of disputes capital and industry in Ahmedabad ? * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1945, 5th March 1945, pp. 1023-24. @ Ibid., p. 1027.

873 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (b) Is it not a fact that the break-down is viewed with grave concern by the Joint Representative Board of the Textile Labour Association of Ahmedabad ? (c) Do not Government of India propose to restore arbitration system ? If not, why not ? (d) Is it not a fact that there is a written agreement of 1937 signed by both the Textile Labour Association and the Millowners’ Association of Ahmedabad ? (e) Is it not a fact that the above said agreement is still unregistered and not acted upon by the Millowners’ Association ? If so, do Government propose to use their influence and power necessary to end the dispute ? (f) Does the Government of India propose to encourage and help the formation of a Labour Research Institute contemplated by the Textile Labour Association of Ahmedabad for the benefit of the working classes ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I am aware of the existence of a trade dispute over bonus between the Textile Labour Association and the Millowners’ Association, Ahmedabad, which has been taken up by the Chief Conciliator under the Bombay Industrial Disputes Act, 1938. I have no information regarding any breakdown of the arbitration machinery and other matters referred to in the question all of which are the concern of the Provincial Government. 292 * Communal Composition of certain Staff under Labour Department 55. Sardar Sant Singh : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state : (a) the total number, and (b) the number of Sikhs, (c) Christians, (d) Domiciled Europeans and Anglo-Indians, and * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1945, 5th March 1945, p. 1039.

874 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES (c) Parsis, appointed since 1934 in each grade of pay on (i) permanent and (ii) temporary basis, carrying a salary of Rs. 100 p.m. and above, in all the Departments and offices under him, giving the designations of Sikhs so appointed ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The time and labour involved in collecting this information will not be commensurate with the results to be achieved. The Government therefore regret their inability to furnish this information. 293 * Profiteering in House Property Transactions in Delhi 57. Mr. Satya Narayan Sinha : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state if it is a fact that a good deal of profiteering is going on in house property transactions in Delhi City ? If so, what action has been taken by Government to check it ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Government have no information. (b) The question does not arise but for the information of the Honourable Member I would state that Government have not passed any measure regulating the sale of private house property in Delhi City. 294 @ Labour Officers’ Training in Britain 810. Mr. T. S. Avinashilingam Chettiar : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state : (a) whether Labour Officers are being sent to the United Kingdom for training; (b) the object and course of training ; and (c) how many are proposed to be sent and the expenditure involved in this scheme ? * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1945, 8th March 1945, p. 1039. @ Ibid., p. 1167.