Vol. 10 · pages 951–955

930 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES (ii) that a statement has been issued by the Executive Committee of the Government Press Unions Federation, India, narrating the woeful tale of the hardship of the Press employees with some recommendations for an increase in Dearness Allowance and the scales of pay; and (b) If the answers to (a) are in the affirmative, has any action been taken in the matter since the issue of the statement ? If not, when does he intend to take action, and in what way ? If not, why not ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) (i) and (ii) Yes. (b) The matter is under the consideration of Government. 344 *Safeguarding of Indian Interests in Mica Mines 1709. Prof. N. G. Ranga : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state if his attention has been drawn to an article in the Free Press Journal of the 16th March, 1945, under the title, ‘India Chief Producer of Mica’ in which it is pointed out that British and American interests are trying to get control of mica mines in India ? (b) If this is true, what precautions are Government taking to safeguard the interests of those engaged in mica industry at present, and of Indian Joint Stock Companies, who have acquired mica interests ? (c) How many Indian Joint Stock Companies are interested in Mica mines in India ? (d) Have any applications been received by the Controller of Capital Issues to register new companies in respect of mica, and has permission been given ? If so, to which ones ? (e) Do Government propose to give an assurance that mica interests in the hands of Indians will not be threatened by more powerful British or American interests and that they will not be deprived of the existing rights? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The article in question is not traceable in the Free Press Journal of the 16th March, 1945. * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1945, 9th April 1945, p. 2619.

931 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (b) The question does not arise. (c) According to the annual returns received for the period ending 31st March 1943, the number is twenty. Later information is not available. (d) Applications have been received by the Examiner of Capital Issues, and permission has been given in some cases. It is not the practice of the Department concerned to disclose the names of the firms with which they have been dealing. (e) Government are alive to the necessity for putting the Indian Mica industry on a sound footing and they intend to take all possible steps to safeguard the interests of the Indian mica producer. Mr. Manu Subedar: May I know why Government have not attempted to bring the small mica producers together into a combine under their supervision and guidance and why they are making the way open for foreign interests ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : We do not propose to take any step until we receive the report of the Committee we have appointed. Mr. Manu Subedar: Will Government permit the small Indian interests to be bought out by these foreign interests ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I do not wish to prejudge the issue. Prof. N. G. Ranga : Meanwhile what is to happen to this industry ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : There is no need to fear very much on that account. Mr. Manu Subedar : Will Government give an assurance to the House ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : As soon as the report is received we shall take all the necessary measures. 345 * Bad Condition of Timarpur Quarters, Delhi 1722. Mr. Badri Dutt Pande : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state whether Government quarters in Timarpur were built temporarily ? * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1945, 9th April 1945, p. 2630.

932 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES (b) Is he aware that these quarters are now in worst condition, that no repairs can stand for long, and that there is always a danger of some of the quarters coming down at any time ? (c) Is he aware that the New Delhi Government quarters are cent per cent better than those in Timarpur ? (d) Is he further aware that even in C Type of quarters there is only one water tap, whereas in the New Delhi quarters there are three to four taps ? (e) Is he aware that neither any Executive Engineer nor any higher official has ever gone to these quarters to see whether each one has been properly repaired or not, and that no one looks after the convenience of the tenants there ? (f) Why do Government charge the same rate of rent from those living in much inferior type of quarters where there are less facilities as compared to the New Delhi quarters ? Do Government propose to have the case examind and reduce the rent ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes. (b) No, but I am aware that these quarters require frequent repairs. (c) The New Delhi quarters are much superior to the Timarpur quarters. (d) Yes. (e) No. On the other hand my information is that the quarters are regularly inspected by responsible officials of the Department. There is an Enquiry Office at site for the tenants to register their complaints. (f) It is not possible to lay down different rates for recovery of rent from Government servants for similar type of quarters though the facilities may be somewhat less. The standard rents of Timarpur quarters are lower compared with the standard rents of similar quarters in New Delhi and consequently a larger number of occupants of these quarters pay less than 10 per cent of their salaries. The question of reducing rents does not arise. Prof. N. G. Ranga : Have any steps been taken to improve the amenities for the older quarters ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : They have already got amenities. Prof. N. G. Ranga : The Honourable Member stated in his question that water laps and other conveniences do not exist. Will the amenities be improved. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I will look into the matter.

933 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 346 * Difficulty re Accommodation of Simla Staff permanently Located at New Delhi 1723. Mr. Badri Dutt Pande : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state the number of staff who have come down from Simla to be located permanently at New Delhi ? (b) Is he aware that much inconvenience is being felt by the staff and others for locating such staff far away from the main Branches of the Departments or Offices ? (c) Docs he propose to see that each departmental unit is located in one building ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The information is not readily available and its collection does not justify the time and labour involved. (b) Yes. (c) Under the present circumstances it is not always possible to accommodate the entire staff of a particular office in one building. Attempts are however made to adhere to this principle as far as possible. 347 @ Government Contribution to Indian Labour Federation 1800. Mr. Badri Dutt Pande : (a) Will the Honourable the labour Member please state whether Government has seen a book entitled “The Story of a Sordid Episode” of Rs. 13,000 grant given by his Department to Mr. M. N. Roy as Secretary, Indian Federation of Labour, published by one Ganpat Raj ? (b) Will Government please lay a statement of accounts showing how the amount was spent ? (c) Will Government please state whether this grant of Rs. 13,000 per month has been included in the current years budget, and, if so, under what head the figure is shown in Demands for grant ? * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1945, 9th April, 1945, p. 2631. @ Ibid., 12th April 1945. p. 2797.

934 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) I have, not seen the book. (b) The attention of the Honourable member is drawn to my answer to his supplementary question to starred question No. 31 by Mr. Lalchand Navalrai on the 2nd November 1944. (c) Yes; it is included in Demands for Grants for 1945-46 under the head “Miscellaneous Expenditure connected with the War-C.5— Expenditure on War Publicity-C. 5 (4)—Labour propaganda”. Mr. Badri Dutt Pande : The Honourable Member had said the other day that a statement of the accounts will be placed on the table of the House. When is he going to do that? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : That does not arise out of this. Mr. Lalchand Navalrai: If the Honourable Member has not read that book, may I tell him that there are two books, one against the other. One is by Mr. Jamnadas Mehta and the other by Mr. Roy. Will the Honourable Member send for these books and read them and he will then find that there is a contradiction between them ? Will the Honourable Member then go into this question and find out how this money has been spent-whether it has been divided half and half between them or what ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I do not propose to spend my money on purchasing them. If they are sent to me, I will read them. Mr. T. S. Avinashilingam Chettiar : I am sorry I could not catch the answer to part (c) of the question. Will the Honourable Member kindly repeat it ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I said that the grant is in the Demands for Grants. Mr. T. S. Avinashilingam Chettiar : Has the grant been enhanced or is it the same amount ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : It is the same amount. Mr. Lalchand Navalrai : If I send these books which I have got with me, will the Honourable Member read them ?