Vol. 10 · pages 966–970

945 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 363 * Abolition of Utilisation Branch of Geological Survey of India 37. Mr. K. C. Neogy : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state the circumstances that led to the abolition of the Utilisation Branch of the Geological Survey of India ? (b) Is it a fact that the Advisory Committee attached to the said Branch was at one stage, expected to function as a post-war planning committee with reference to minerals ? (c) Which Committee, if any, is now engaged in considering questions relating to post-war policy about minerals. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The Utilization Branch was established with a view to utilizing undeveloped mineral resources of the country for furtherance of the war effort. On the termination of the war, the emphasis changed from that of war-time production to that of a planned policy of minerals development in the country. The development of such planned policy is an integral function of the Geological Survey of India and is being pushed forward but the necessity for a separate branch for productive purposes no longer exists. (b) Yes, but the change-over in function has necessitated a change in the personnel of the Advisory Committee. (c) The Government of India have recently formed an expert Advisory Board to advise them on problems connected with the mineral development of the country. A copy of the Labour Department Resolution No. M102 (4), dated the 9th January 1946, constituting the committee is available in the Library of the House. 364 @ Indian Bevin Boys 40. Mr. K. C. Neogy : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state how many Indians were trained in Great Britain under the Bevin Training Scheme ? * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1946, 5th February 1946, p. 483. @ Ibid. pp. 484-85.

946 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES (b) How many of them have been employed in factories engaged in war production ? (c) How many of the latter have since been discharged ? (d) Is it a fact that a number of Indian technicians trained under the Bevin Training Scheme have been asked by the Government of India to accept places other than those in which they have specialised ? If so, for what reason, and what is the number of such technicians ? (e) Is it a fact that, though there was no guarantee of service, assurances were freely given during the stay of the Indian Bevin Boys in the United Kingdom that their services would be utilised for the betterment of the industrial status of India? If the answer be substantially as above, what steps have been, or are proposed to be, taken to ensure the proper employment of these trainees ? (f) Has any representation been received from these trainees indicating their grievances ? If so, to what effect and with what result ? (g) Is it a fact that one of the objects of the Bevin Training Scheme, with reference to Indian trainees was to give them an appreciation of the Britain methods of cooperation between the employers and workers, and the value of sound Trade Union principles ? If so, how is it proposed to utilise in India the training of these technicians in Trade Unionism ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) 712. A batch of 75 is at present under training. (b) 414. Another 168 trainees were engaged on essential work in Defence Services in Government (Central, Provincial and Indian States) undertakings including Railways. (c) 111 from the factories engaged on war production and 9 from the other undertakings. (d) Orders for employment of Bevin trainees on their return from United Kingdom were issued by the Government of India under the National Service (Technical Personnel) Ordinance. In most cases Bevin Trainees were placed in employment consistent with the training received by them in the U. K. In a few cases they could not be engaged on work for which they specialised and were entrusted with other work which they could perform by virtue of their general training. Government are making a scrutiny of all such cases and every effort will be made to find suitable employment.

947 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (e) No such assurances were given, so far as the Government of India is aware. The prospectus clearly stated that no guarantee of employment could be given but that every endeavour would be made to place trainees in suitable posts. (f) Yes. Their main grievance relates to their prospects of employment in suitable posts in the post-war period. Every endeavour is being made to find employment for the unemployed Bevin trainees in Government and private undertakings. Managers of all Employment Exchanges have been instructed to do their best to help Bevin trainees who register for employment. The position regarding unemployment among Bevin trainees will be reviewed periodically and, as far as practicable, suitable action will be taken to remove legitimate grievances. (g) Yes. Facilities for the study of the working of trade unionism in Great Britain were made available to Bevin trainees. It is hoped that the experience gained will enable Bevin trainees to take their part in the development of trade unionism on sound lines in India. 365 * Proposed Evacuation of Villages in the Prosecution of the Damodar Scheme Mr. President : May I know when the scheme was started and how far it has proceeded ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member) : I would like to submit that at this stage there is absolutely nothing to be discussed. Government has no doubt under contemplation putting certain dams on the Damodar River, which flows through Bihar and Bengal, but with regard to the specific questions raised in this adjournment motion, which speaks of forced evacuation, all I have to say is this—that we are at a very very preliminary stage—we are merely making an inquiry as to how much land would be submerged by the enclosure of this water, what would be the area that would be affected, etc., and we arc trying to see how many persons will have to be evacuated, the nature of their holdings and what rights * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1946, 7th February 1946, pp. 605-06.

948 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES they have. There is really nothing specific, no action has been taken by government at this stage which could be the subject matter of discussion, and what I would like to say is this—that I hope when the government has come to some definite conclusion in this matter I shall be able to circulate a paper to the House containing the conclusions of government and members can then raise the matter for discussion in any way they like. 366 *Electricity (Supply) Bill The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member): Sir, I move for leave to introduce a bill to provide for the rationalisation of the production and supply of electricity, and generally for taking measures conducive to the electrical development of India. Mr. President: The question is— “That leave be granted to introduce a Bill to provide for the rationalisation of the production and supply of electricity, and generally for taking measures conducive to the electrical development of India.” The motion was adopted. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Sir, I introduce the Bill. 367 @ Purchase of Temporary Buildings by Government of India Sri R. Venkatasubba Reddiar : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state : (a) If his attention has been drawn to the article under the heading “Stop the Loot” in the last column of the 1st page of the Hindustan Times, dated the 4th February, 1946. (b) if the answer to part (a) is in the affirmative, whether it is a fact that His Majesty’s Government is pressing the Government * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1946, 7th February 1946, p. 616. @ Ibid., p. 689.

949 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS of India to purchase the two buildings mentioned in the article, if so, whether the Government of India has taken a decision regarding that, (c) the value of the buildings at present, (d) the cost of the buildings to his Majesty’s Government, (e) the price at which these buildings are offered, and (f) if the two buildings have only to be pulled down and are not fit for any use ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) Yes. (b) No. The Government of India themselves have decided to purchase the buildings for housing their officers. The terms of purchase are now under consideration. (c) No firm figure can be given as the estimates of the present value of the buildings, which depend on several factors, necessarily differ. (d) Rs. 25,58,000. (e) Rs. 21,31,667. (f) The buildings are being occupied by the staff of the Far Eastern Bureau as well as by the Government of India officers and it cannot be said that they arc not fit for any use. They are however temporary buildings and will be demolished when they are no longer required by Government. Prof. N. G. Ranga : For how many years are they expected to last ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I do not know. I suppose it might be estimated between 8 to 10 years. Mr. Sasanka Sekhar Sanyal : Is it voluntary purchase or forced ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Voluntary. Why forced ? If Government need them they have to purchase them. Mr. Manu Subedar : On what basis is the value fixed ? Is it cost of depreciated value or knock down value ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The value is not fixed. The matter is under negotiation. Sri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar : How many years of life from the war? 8 to 10 years have already expired? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : They were constructed during the war and I do not know the exact date at the moment. Shri Mohan Lal Sansena : Will the demand for the purchase of these buildings come before the House ?