Vol. 10 · pages 931–935

910 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES (c) whether, in view of the fact that statements have been made in the House by Members with personal experience that these creches are not functioning regularly, Government have taken or are taking steps to see that these are properly functioning ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The necessary Legislation is already before the House. (b) and (c). The whole question of the compulsory provision of creches in mines is under consideration. 325 * Scheme for Training in Technical Industries Abroad 1359. Mr. T. S. Avinashilingam Chettiar : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state: (a) apart from the training given in universities to students, as mentioned in the press communique of the Education, Health and Lands Department, whether Government have any scheme to depute and train men in technical industries, so that they can be used in the starting of industries in the post-war period ; (b) whether the Government of India have negotiated with the Government or industrialists of the U. K. or the U.S.A. to get such men trained; and (c) if so, in what industries ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes. Attention of the Honourable Member is invited to Labour Department letter No. TRC-II-1140, dated the 12th December, 1944, a copy of which was placed on the table of the House on the 14th February, 1945 in reply to his question No. 198. (b) With the Governments. (c) Negotiations on general lines and not confined to specific industries have taken place. * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1945, 26th March 1945, p. 2029.

911 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 326 * Tonnage on Which Soft Coke Cess has been Realised 104. Mr. K. C. Neogy : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state the tonnage on which the Soft Coke Cess Committee realised its cess on despatch on Soft Coke during 1941 to 1944 ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The information is as follows: 1941 957,553 tons 1943 354,835 tons 1942 431,858 tons 1944 445,721 tons 327 @ Miscellaneous Departments The Honourable Sir Jeremy Raisman : Sir, I move : “That a supplementary sum not exceeding Rs. 10,00,000 be granted to the Governor General in Council to defray the charges which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1945 in respect of ‘ Miscellaneous Departments’.” Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim): Motion moved: “That a supplementary sum not exceeding Rs. 10,000 be granted to the Governor General in Council to defray the charges which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1945 in respect of ‘Miscellaneous Departments’.” Mr. T. S. Avinashilingam Chettiar : The explanation given on page 27 is : “Due to the setting up of additional Provincial and Regional Labour Supply Committees, Labour Supply Depots and Labour Supply Bureaux.” * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1945, 28th March 1945, p. 2219. @ Ibid., p. 2219.

912 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES I find on page 12 under the Demand for Labour: “Creation of the Directorate of Unskilled Labour Supply for coordination of the work of the provincial and regional labour supply committees and the labour supply depots.” I think, Sir, there is a repetition. I should like to know what is the difference between the two. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member) : That demand was quite different. It was for the pay of officers, it refers to the salaries of officers, while this is quite a different thing. This is on account of opening of certain labour supply committees, labour supply bureaux and labour supply depots. This is the cost incurred in regard to workmen and that refers only to salaries of officers of the Secretariat. Mr. T. S. Avinashilingam Chettiar : I will read it again: Due to setting up of additional Provincial and Regional Labour Supply Committees ............” The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : This is for coordination, that is done in the Secretariat. The item on page 12 refers to salary of officers working in the Secretariat, while this demand refers to work done outside the Secretariat. Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim): The question is: “That a supplementary sum not exceeding Rs. 10,00,000 be granted to the Governor General in Council on the 31st day of March, 1945 in respect of ‘Miscellaneous Departments’.” The motion was adopted. 328 * Controlled Rates of Price of Rice in Dhanbad Sub-Division 1464. Mr. K. C. Neogy : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state the present local controlled rates of price per maund of the different kinds of rice in Dhanbad SubDivision in the Province of Bihar ? (b) At what rates is the Provincial Government charging the two Coal Trade Organisations for supplying rice for the benefit of colliery * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1945, 29th March 1945, p. 2235.

913 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS labour ? Is any incidental charge realised by that Government from the said Organisations in addition to the controlled price of rice in Dhanbad Sub-Division ? If so, at what rate and for what reasons ? (c) Has any complaint been received recently from the Indian Collieries Union stating that the Joint Pools are still charging from its members approximately Rs. 4 per maund of rice, over and above the local controlled prices ? (d) Has any comprehensive report been obtained by Government in this or any connected matter, from the Welfare Commissioner who is stationed at Dhanbad ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The wholesale control rates for rice in Dhanbad Sub-Division are Rs. 11 and Rs. 12 per maund for coarse and medium qualities respectively. The corresponding retail rates for the 2 qualities of rice are -/4/7½* and -/5/-* per seer. (b) The Provincial Government is charging the two coal trade organisations the basic wholesale control rate at the source of supply of Rs. 9 per maund for coarse and Rs. 10 per maund for medium quality plus -/4/-* per maund to cover administrative charges. The organisations have to pay in addition the cost of the bags and the actual incidental charges incurred in effecting despatches of rice from the source of supply to the consuming centres. (c) Yes, Sir. (d) No. Mr. K. C. Neogy : With regard to (b), is the Honourable Member in a position to tell the House whether the resulting price which is charged to the collieries is higher than the local controlled price, having regard to all the different levies which are paid ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I am afraid I have not made any calculations. Mr. K. C. Neogy : That is really the point of the complaint. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : My Honourable friend can make the calculations. Mr. K. C. Neogy : With regard to (d). I take it that this officer is an officer of the Government of India ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Yes. Mr. K. C. Neogy : In view of the frequent complaints received in * Rates are shown in annas and pies. —Ed.

914 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES regard to this question, will the Honourable Member consider the desirability of obtaining a report from this officer as regards these matters ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : This work will not fall within the purview of his duties. This is a matter for the Provincial Governments. Mr. K. C. Neogy : The Honourable Member is aware that the complaint amounts to this, that the Provincial Government is not fully cooperating with the Central Government in the matter of making rice supplies to the collieries reasonably cheap ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I will get into touch with the Provincial Government, but I do not think I can ask the Coal Welfare Commissioner to deal with this matter. 329 * Area under Irrigation in Baluchistan 1469. Mr. Abdul Qaiyum : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state : (a) the total area brought under irrigation in Baluchistan since the war began; (b) how much of such area was brought under irrigation by Government and how much by private enterprise; (c) the total amount spent by the Government on such projects; and (d) whether any sums were advanced to Zamindars for bringing land under irrigation ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a), (b) and (c). No substantial areas have been brought under irrigation in Baluchistan since the war began; but two flood control schemes, sanctioned by Government, costing about, Rs. 68,000, will add about 1,000 acres. As a result of more intensive cultivation of lands under irrigation and expansion of dry farming coupled with the Administration’s procurement measures, Baluchistan has become a surplus province with wheat, paddy and Jowari for export to other provinces. (d) The information is being collected. *Legislative Assembly Debates (Central). Vol. II of 1945, 29th March 1945, p. 2239.