Vol. 10 · pages 986–990

965 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (b) Government are aware that a large number of people are engaged in the Mica business and in any scheme of improvement of the industry Government hope that their interests will not be ignored. 384 * Superintending Engineers in Headquarters 599. Mr. Muhammad Rahmat-Ullah : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please slate if it is a fact that Rai Sahib C. P. Malik is given officiating chances for the post of Superintending Engineers in the Headquarters? (b) Is it not a fact that there are a number of Muslim Executive Engineers senior to him but have not been given a single chance to officiate ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) No. Rai Sahib C. P. Malik has been appointed temporarily to carry on only the current duties of die post of superintending Engineer, Second Circle, Delhi, purely as a meaure of administrative Convenience. (b) Yes. But they have not yet become due for promotion to die grade of Superintending Engineer. Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : In view of the fact mat out of 13 Superintending Engineers only one is a Muslim, why was not a Muslim appointed for this particular post ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : If the Honourable Member will refer to my reply, he will see that the appointment is not of an officiating character—he is merely asked to carry on the duties. Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : Without being called a Superintending Engineer and without any remuneration ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Yes. Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : This is a third method of avoiding the appointment of Muslims, in addition to the two I suggested yesterday, efficiency and seniority—you do not call a post by the name which is given to it—you simply ask a man to carry on the duties ? * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. III of 1946, 28th February 1946, p. 1668.

966 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : My Honourable friend is free to draw any inference he likes. Maulana Zafar Ali Khan : Does the Honourable Member know that there is a feeling abroad that in the matter of appointment of Muslims the Government always meets out stepmotherly treatment to the Muslims ? Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer: In reply to part (a) the Honourable Member said “as a measure of administrative convenience”. Is it the convenience of the Honourable Member to make it a convenience to avoid appointments of Muslims ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I think it is so simple an expression that everybody ought to understand it. Mr. President: Order, order—next question. 385 * Muslim Gazetted Officers in Labour Department Secretariat 600. Mr. Muhammad Rahmat Ullah : Will the Honourable the Labour Member kindly state the proportion of Muslim Gazetted Officers in the Labour Department Secretariat ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : There are 49 Secretariat Gazetted Officers in the Labour Department, of whom 9 are Muslims. Mr. Ahmad E. H . Jaffer: Docs it not mean that the proportion of Muslims is not maintained, according to the 25 per cent ratio ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I do not know that that rule applies. Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer : 9 out of 49—is it fair to the Muslim community that they should have this low percentage ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I understand that is not a matter governed by the communal representation ratio. * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. III of 1946, 28th February 1946, p. 1668.

967 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 386 * Muslim Administrative Officers in Central P.W.D. 601. Mr. Muhammad Rahmat-Ullah : (a) Has the attention of the Honourable the Labour Member been drawn to the article published in the Dawn of the 26th January, 1946, regarding the appointment of a Muslim administrative Officer in the Central P.W. D. ? (b) Are the facts stated therein regarding his Department correct ? (c) Is it not a fact that the three Assistants of the Administrative Officer as well as the Financial Adviser are all Hindus ? (d) Is it not a fact that the Honourable Member is contemplating to appoint a non-Muslim Administrative Officer ? If so, why should the Mussalmans be excluded from this branch of the Central P.W.D. ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes. (b) No. (c) Yes. (d) The question of filling the post of Administrative Officer in the Central Public Works Department is still under consideration. Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad: How long will it be under consideration, because his attention has been drawn several times ? Will he make the appointment after the Assembly session is over ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : He will be appointed in due course. Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : Why don’t you call a spade a spade ? Why do you not call this a Hindu Labour Department, or rather a Scheduled Caste Department ? (No answer was given) * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. III of 1946, 28th February 1946, p. 1670.

968 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES 387 * Trade Unions in India 54. Mr. Vadilal Lallubhai: (a) Will the Honourable Member for Labour please state the number of trade unions in India and the total membership thereof since 1939 up to date year by year totally and as between different provinces ? (b) What are their total funds as between provinces and how much of the same comes by subscriptions and how much by donations since 1939 up to date year by year? (c) How many of the total members as between provinces did not pay their subscriptions and still continue to be the members from 1939 upto date year by year ? (d) What has been the proportion of outsiders in the office bearers of trade unions ever since 1939 onwards year by year ? Is it a fact that this proportion is recently on a decline? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) A statement showing the number of registered trade unions, the number of unions that submitted returns and the membership of the latter, during the years 1939-44, is placed on the Table. Statistics for 1944-45 are not yet available. (b) A statement showing the income, expenditure, opening and closing balances of trade unions during 1939-44 is placed on the Table. Government has no infonnation on the second part of the question. (c) and (d) The information is not available. 388 @ Industrial Workers in India 55. Mr. Vadilal Lallubhai : Will the Honourable Member for Labour please state : (a) What is the total number of industrial workers in India and * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. Ill of 1946, 28th February 1946, p. 1670. @ lbid.

969 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS their distribution in individual industries including collieries and plantations since 1939 upto date year by year. (b) What are the monthly earnings of the factory workers in India in different industries since 1939 up to date, year by year, exclusive of dearness allowance and bonus ? (c) What are the figures of dearness allowance and bonus paid to industrial workers in India since 1939 up to date, year by year, according to (i) different industries and (ii) different industrial centres? (d) Will he please illustrate the effect if any, of war time increase in earnings of industrial workers on the total membership of trade unions and their monetary funds either way? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) A statement is placed on the table. Statistics for 1945 are not yet available. (b) A statement showing the figures of monthly average earnings of factory workers during 1939, 1940, 1941 and 1943 is placed on the table. These are inclusive of dearness allowances paid in cash, figures exclusive of these not being available. The figures are only approximate is they are compiled from statistics of total payments made and do not allow for factors like number of working days in the year, number of working hours etc. Figures of 1942 are not furnished as it is not clear which of the figures available are inclusive of dearness allowances and which are not. (c) Full information is not available and Government do not consider that the time needed for collecting and tabulating this will be commensurate with the result. (d) Figures of average earnings of factory workers have been furnished in connection with part (a) of this Question. Statements showing the membership and general funds of trade unions are placed on the table. Government are not in a position to say whether the increase in membership and in the income is attributable to increased wages or to other causes.