44E10. Dr. Ambedkar As The Member of Ex.Gov.Gen.Council QA

Dr. Ambedkar As The Member of Executive Governor General Council

Questions and Answers

______________________________________________

PART X

From 14th September 1942 to 12th April 1946

432

^[f.1] Contract Works given by Horticultural Division Central P. W. D., New Delhi

1381. Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer : Will the Honourable the Labour Member kindly place on the table of the House a comparative statement showing the amount of contract works given by (i) tenders and (ii) work orders, separately, to Muslims, Hindus and Scheduled Caste Contractors in the Horticultural Division of the Central P. W. D., New Delhi, during the period from 1st November, 1943, to the 28th February 1946, by the present Superintendent, Horticultural Operations, New Delhi?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The information asked for is not readily available and the time and labour involved in collecting it would be incommensurate with the value of the result.

Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer : What are the reasons why the information is not readily available ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : It is not available in the form in which my Honourable friend wants it.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : Is any effort being made to give additional opportunities for scheduled caste contractors to have their share ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : They can get their share in accordance with the rules laid down.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : There are only very few from the scheduled castes, because they are so poor.

433

^[f.2] Muslim Horticultural Subordinates in Central P. W. D.

1382. Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member kindly state if it is a fact that three B. Sc. Muslims were appointed in the Central P.W.D. as Horticultural Subordinates on the 28th February 1945, 19th March 1945, and 23rd May 1945, but they were not given charge of Sections till the 28th November 1945?

(b) On what duties were they put during the intervening period ? (c) If they were not required for specific work expected of them, why has public money to the amount of Rs. 5,000 been wasted in this way, who is responsible for that and what action do Government propose to take against the officer concerned ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes. (b) and (c) As the men were fresh from college and had no practical experience, they were given preliminary training as probationers before being placed in formal charge of sections.

434

^[f.3] Scales of Pay and Increments to Chowdhries and Assistant Chowdhries in Horticulture Division

1383. Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer : Will the honourable the Labour Member kindly state the scales of pay and increments allowed to Chowdhries and Assistant Chowdhries in the Horticulture Division ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: The scales of pay with rates of increments are as follows :

Chowdhries— Rs. 20—1—35—2—55 (for old entrants).

Rs. 25—1—45 (for new entrants).

Assistant Chowdhrics—Rs. 20—1/2—30 (for old and new entrants).

Prof. N. G. Ranga : What is the particular post of a Chowdhri ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: A sort of head mali.

Mr. Manu Subedar : Do Government expect a Chowdhri to live on Rs. 20 a month in the present day living conditions ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: They get dearness allowance also.

Mr. Manu Subedar : What do they get ? Rs. 14 or Rs. 8? How much?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I have not got the information with me. Mr. Manu Subedar : Will the Government go into the question as to whether industrial class Government employees can really exist on the pay they are getting ?

Prof. N. G. Ranga : How much are the malis paid ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I want notice.

435

^[f.4] Appointments Made by Superintendent Horticultural Operations, Central P. W. D.

384. Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer : Will the Honourable the Labour Member kindly state, communitywise, viz., Hindus, Muslims, Other Minority Communities and Scheduled Castes, the number of persons appointed by the present Superintendent, Horticultural Operations, Central P. W. D., New Delhi, from the 1st November, 1943, to the 28th February, 1946, as clerks, chowdhries, assistant chowdhries, torry drivers, fitters, time-keepers and mechanics ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : A statement is laid on the table.

Statement showing the number of persons appointed by the Superintendent, Horticultural Operations, New Delhi from 1st November 1943 to 28th February 1946

	Hindus	Muslims	Schedule Castes	Other Minority Community
Clerks	9	2		1
Chowdhries		1
Assistant Chowdhries	1
Torry Drivers	2
Fitters	2	1
Time-Keepers	1	1
Mechanics	1

436

^[f.5] Muslim Officers in Labour Department

1385. Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state if it is a fact that in the Labour Department the Secretary, Joint Secretary and the Deputy Secretary are all Hindus ? Does the Honourable Member propose to appoint a Muslim Officer in charge of the staff in that Department ? If not, why not ?

(b) How many subordinates in the Central Public Works Department were promoted as Sub-Divisional Officers during the last five years ? Are there any Muslims ? If so, how many, and in what proportion ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) No. The Secretary is a European and there are two Muslims, one ex-officio Joint Secretary and one Deputy Secretary. These two officers also deal with staff questions. The latter part of the question does not arise.

(a) During the last five years 385 subordinates were promoted as S.D.OS.. Out of which 56 were Muslims. This works out to 14.5 per cent.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : When will the Honourable Member consider the appointment of an Indian Secretary to this Department, in view of the fact that for a number of years past, there has been no Indian Secretary in this Department ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: This is a matter which rests with the Selection Committee.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : Who selects the Secretaries of Departments ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I want notice.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : Is there a selection committee which deals with this question?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : There is a committee to which the matter must be referred and the selection is made only from an approved list.

Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer: Does it mean that the Honourable Member has no hand in the appointment ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Not until there is a vacancy, I am sure.

437

^[f.6] Seniority of Certain Officers for Purposes of Allotment of Government Residences

1389. Sri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour member be pleased to state if it is a fact that during the period of emergency certain offices of the Central Government (Secretariat and Attached Offices) were moved from Delhi/Simla to outstations, for want of office accommodation ?

(b) Is it a fact that the staff on return with the offices have not been allowed to count their previous service for purposes of entitlement to Government quarters on the ground that they moved to a station other than Delhi/Simla and that in their cases their seniority for entitlement to accommodation was reckoned from the date of subsequent arrival at Delhi ?

(c) Is it a fact that the Secretariat Staff working at Calcutta have been allowed to count offices in regard to allotment of residential accommodation been made ?

(d) If so why has this sort of discrimination between the staff of the secretariat and attached Offices in regard to allotment of residential accommodation been made ?

(e) Are Government aware that these people have been penalised for no fault of their own in regard to allotment of quarters, as they had to move under orders of the labour Department in the interest of the State ?

(f) Do Government propose to consider the desirability of restoring the suspended lines in respect of these individuals and allot them accommodation according to their date of joining offices at Delhi / Simla ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes. (b) The correct position is as follows :

Some of the staff were allowed to count their previous service . if the period of absence from Delhi was not more than one year and if they hold liens on Government residences in Delhi. This qualifying period was subsequently reduced to a maximum of six months.

(c) Yes, but only the staff posted in a Secretariat Department at Calcutta or locate transferred from a Secretariat Department in Delhi/Simla to a Secretariat Department in Calcutta prior to April 1st, 1945.

(d) There has been no discrimination between the staff of the Secretariat and attached offices except in the case of Calcutta where a Branch Secretariat of a Government of India Department was located and transfers between the Headquarters and the Branch Secretariat were frequent. With the issue of the revised rules, this concession has been withdrawn w.e.f. 1st April, 1945 and persons transferred to a Secretariat Department at Calcutta after this date are not allowed to count their previous service for allotment in Delhi.

(e) Government are aware that some officers have been prejudicially affected by the Rules, but this is inevitable in the working of Rules designed formally to secure the efficiency of administration by reducing movements to a minimum.

(f) Government do not propose to alter the rules in this respect.

438

^[f.7] Supply of Material to Sardar Sobha Singh to build Quarters in New Delhi

1390. Sri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state whether it is a fact that Sardar Sobha Singh was given material by Government to build quarters in New Delhi ?

(b) What is the cost of the material supplied, and under what arrangement?

(c) How many flats has he built ? What is the rent of each flat, how many of these flats are occupied and how many are empty ?

(d) Are Government granting any subsidy ? If so, in what manner and where it is granted to the said Sardar Sobha Singh ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) I presume that the Honourable Member refers to the residential flats on the junction of Comwallis Road and Humayun Road, New Delhi, built by S. B. Sir Sobha Singh. If so, the reply is in the affirmative.

(b) The cost of material supplied is about Rs. 1 1/2 lakhs. The contractor is to bear the entire cost of the material supplied to him.

(c) The number of flats so far constructed is 72. There are two types of flats ? A two-bed-room flat and a single-bed-room flat. The rent of the former has been provisionally fixed at Rs. 220 p.m. and of the latter at Rs. 175 p.m. Provisional rent has been fixed as complete information about the cost of construction has not been supplied by the landlord. Out of the 72 flats. Government have taken over 65 flats of which 59 are already occupied and 6 have been allotted to officers on the waiting list. (d) No.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : Why have Government a soft corner for this prince of contractors Sardar Bahadur Sir Sobha Single ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I do not see any soft corner here.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : Is it not a fact that they have been favouring him in preference to so many other contractors ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Not at all. Sir.

439

^[f.8] Supply of Essentials and Other Facilities to Workers in Mica Mines at Hazaribagh

1409. Sjt. Seth Damodar Swroop: Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state :

(a) if Government are aware that there is no proper arrangement of water for the workers in the Mica mines at Hazaribagh and that no medical aid is available for them in spite of the fact that the area is a well-known epidemic place;

(b) if Government are aware that though the cost of living has increased from six to nine times, no dearness or any such allowance is being paid to the workers and that there is no proper arrangement for sale of rice and other foodgrains at control price at a time when foodgrains have almost disappeared from the market; and

(c) whether Government are aware that the Sub-Divisional Officer of the place has ordered the sale of rice at the rate of two seers and four chataks per rupee while the control price is three seers and eight chataks per rupee ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) Water supply arrangements are not satisfactory and the medical aid now given is not adequate and there is scope for improvement which the Government of India hope to undertake shortly by means of Legislation.

(b) So far as Government is aware, in some cases wages have been increased to include the dearness allowance while some important concerns are paying dearness allowance in addition to wages.

Proper arrangement for sale of rice and other foodgrains at controlled price is a matter for the Provincial Government, and I would suggest the Honourable Member takes up the matter with the Provincial Government.

440

^[f.9] Grievances of Workers in Mica Mines at Hazaribagh

1410. Sjt. Seth Damodar Swroop: Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state whether Government are aware that the money paid by the Joint Mica Mission was never distributed amongst the workers in the Mica Mines at Hazaribagh ?

(b) Are Government aware that the factory rules and regulations are mostly disregarded by the Mica Mines Companies and that the highly objectionable and illegal practice of deducting one anna per rupee from the workers' wages in the name of Dastoori is openly prevalent there ?

(c) Are Government aware that because of the grievances referred to above the Mica Mazdoor Sangh has been forced to give a clear notice of strike ; if so, what steps Government are intending to take to satisfy the workers' demands and avert the danger of a strike ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) It is not clear what the Honourable Member is referring to. If the reference is to the additional cost allowance on the price which the Joint Mica Mission was paying to the suppliers; I may inform the Honourable Member that the distribution of the allowance was purely a matter between the employers and the workers.

(b) The Factories Act and the Payment of Wages Act do not apply to Mica Factories. The prevalence of the illegal practice referred to by the Honourable Member has been brought to Government's notice. The practice will, I think disappear if the Government's proposal to bring mica under Central Control materialises and the Mica Enquiry Committee's recommendations in this respect are implemented. (c) Yes. The matter is under investigation.

441

^[f.10] Ban on Giving Works to Contractors Related to Employers of Central P.W.D.

1411. Babu Ram Narayan Singh: (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state the circumstances which led to the issue of the Labour Department Circular Memo No. M.S. 21, dated the 14th November, 1944, prohibiting the award of works to contractors whose relation are working in officers, etc., under the Central Public Works Department ?

(b) Is he aware that this circular has caused great discontent and hardship to many highly reputed and old-established contractors ?

(c) Do similar orders exist in any other Department of Government ? If so, will he place a copy of such orders on the table of the House ?

(d) Was Legal Department of the Government of India consulted before the Labour Department issued these orders ? If so, what was their opinion ?

(e) Cannot the purpose of the orders be served if a relation of a contractor who happens to work in the same Division is transferred to some other Division or other station ? If not, how ?

(f) Will he please consider the advisability of cancelling these orders ? If not, what are the reasons ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a), (b), (c), (e) and (f) The Honourable Member's attention is invited to the reply given to starred question No. 1143, on 21st March, 1946; (d) No. It. is purely an administrative matter.

442

^[f.11] Revision of Allotment Rules of Government Accommodation

1412. Babu Ram Narayan Singh : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state when the present allotment rules regarding allotment of residences in New Delhi during the war are to be revised so as to provide for change of residences within the same class or group as was permissible under the former allotment rules, since the war is now over?

(b) Is he aware that some of the allottees who have not been fortunate to get quarters according to their choice are, much to their dissatisfaction, forced to continue in their present quarters ?

(c) Is he also aware of the fact that under the existing rules, senior officers moving down from Simla have been at a disadvantage as compared with the junior officers stationed here in securing allotment of quarters ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The question of the desirability of the revision of the present allotment rules will be taken up shortly, when the question of making provision in the rules for change of residences will also be examined. (b) That is a matter of opinion.

(c) Yes, in a few cases senior officers have been at a disadvantage but that is no sufficient reason for disturbing a large number of officers who are already in occupation of these quarters.

443

^[f.12] Toss of Revenue due to Allotment of Lower Class Accommodation to Higher Paid Servants

1413. Babu Ram Narayan Singh : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state the number of officers residing in lower type of clerks quarters in New Delhi but who are entitled to the allotment of (i) bungalows reserved for officers drawing Rs. 600 per mensern or more, (ii) ' A ' and (iii) ' B ' class quarters intended for officers drawing less than Rs. 600 per mensern ?

(b) Is he aware of the fact that Government are tosing a good amount in the shape of rent by not providing these officers with the class of accommodation to which they are eligible or even lower than that?

(c) What steps does he propose to take to avoid this toss of Government revenue, and are there any proposals to build more quarters of the higher class ?

The Honourable Dr. B.R.Ambedkar: (a) (i) 98, (ii) 57, (iii) 138. (b) Government are not losing. Officers occupying lower type of quarters are paying the maximum rent and no quarters are lying vacant. (c) Part I—Does not arise.

Part II.—The matter is under consideration as part of the general proposal for the provision of more residential accommodation for officers.

444

^[f.13] Supply of Unfiltered Water in Quarters in D.I.Z. and Minto Road Area in New Delhi

1415. Babu Ram Narayan Singh : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please slate whether there has been any proposal for the installation of pipes for the supply of unfiltered water in the courtyards of the Orthodox quarters in the D.I.Z. and Minto Road areas in New Delhi ?

(b) Is he aware of the fact that gallons of filtered water are being wasted every day in every quarters in the washing of floor, W.C., watering of flowers, plants or vegetables and in the sprinkling of water on the khus ki latties during the hot weather?

(c) In view of the approaching hot weather will he please consider advisability of installing, the unfiltered water supply in the quarters, in the wider interest of service and economy ? If not, why not ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes. (b) No. A bend and a gland cock are provided on the hydrants of unfiltered water at convenient places near these quarters at the beginning of every summer season to enable the occupants to draw unfiltered water and I do not think that the consumption of filtered water for these purposes during the remaining part of the year is excessive.

(c) No. The Government have already considered this suggestion very carefully in the past and dropped it mainly on account of the excessive expenditure involved.

445

^[f.14] Non-Promotion of Certain Qualified Executive Engineers, etc., Working as Sub-Divisional

Officers and Overseers

1416. Babu Ram Narayan Singh : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state whether he is aware that there is a shortage of Engineers for filling up the posts of Executive Engineers and Superintending Engineers in the Central Public Works Department both in the Buildings and Roads and in the Electrical Branches ?

(b) Is he aware that there are many foreign qualified and experienced Engineers working as Sub-Divisional Officers and even overseers who are not being promoted to hold Divisional charge or higher because they are yet junior to unqualified subordinate Sub-Divisional Officers and others ?

(c) Is he also aware that Government are sending students for overseas studies to make available foreign qualified hands to fill up higher appointments ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes. (b) There are some foreign qualified Engineers in the Central Public Works Department who have not yet been promoted to Divisional or higher charges, because they are either still junior to other qualified Engineers in the Department or are unfit for such promotion. (c) Yes.

446

^[f.15] Non-Promotion of Certain Qualified Executive Engineers, etc., Working as Sub-Divisional

Officers and Overseers

1417. Babu Ram Narayan Singh : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please place on the table of the House a list of foreign qualified and experienced Sub-Division Officers with full qualifications and total experience and length of service of each and their respective date of appointment in the Central Public Works Department ?

(b) What is the number of officers appointed directly as Executive Engineers or Superintending Engineers since 1940 ?

(c) While making appointments mentioned in part (b) were the cases of each of the individuals mentioned in reply to part (a) considered for such appointments ? If not, what are the reasons ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) A statement is laid on the table.

(b) Superintending Engineers—Nil. Executive and Electrical Engineers—28.

(1) Mr. B. S. Krishnaswami He is a temporary Subordinate, while all the others promoted as Executive Engineers are either permanent Subordinates or gazetted temporary engineers.

(2) Messrs. A. K. Sen and Their cases have not yet come up Nasir Hussain. for consideration as they are not sufficiently high up in the seniority list, all those so far promoted as Electrical Engineers being senior to them.

(d) No such undertaking can be given, as the officers mentioned in the reply to part (a) are either inexperienced or are unfit for Divisional charge.

List of Foreign Qualified Sub-Divisional Officers in the Central Public Works Department.

S.No.	Name	Dale of appointment in Central P.W.D.	Qualification	Previous experience, if any
	I. ENGINEERING SIDE
1	Mr. N. N. Mehta	17-9-1935	B.A-.B.Sc. (Eng.) Sheffield A.M.I.E
2	Mr. Gurbachan Singh	5-3-1942	B.Sc. (Civil) Edinburgh.	15 months' apprenticeship in Central Public Works Deplt. 12 years as Superintendent, P.W.D Kheotri State
3	Mr. R. R. Tomar	18-5-1942	Diploma Holder of Bettersea Polytechnic London
4	Mr. B. S. Krishna-swami	13-6-1942	B.Sc. (Eng.) Rangoon (Burma)
5	Mr. S. V. Subbarao	20-7-1942	B.A., B.Sc. (Hons.) Civil Engineering. (Edin)	1 years' Previous experience
6	Mr. A. K. Das	1-1-1943	B.Sc., Civil Engi neering, (Edin.).
7	Mr. M. Rahman	19-4-1943	B.Sc., (Delhi); B.Sc (Civil), Durham.	has had some experience with a firm in England
8	Mr. Abdul Ghafar	11-2-1942	B.Sc., Civil Engi- neering (Edin.).
9	Mr. Mohd. Shaffi	15-3-1944	C. E. (Bristol)
10	Mr. Narinjan Singh Bisarkhi	4-4-1944	B.Sc. (Civil), Glasgow (Edin)	15 years' experience in M.E.S. etc.
11	11. Mr. S. A. Hakim	30-8-1944	Casual Overseer; C. E. (Shaffield), A. M. I. E. (Ind.), C. 1. S. E. (London)	15 years' in Punjab P. W. D. and 8 years' District Board Service
	II. ELECTRICAL SIDE
12	Mr. B.K. Mazumdar	4-5-1942	Diploma in Mech. Elec. Engineering from Faraday House, Electrical Engineering College, London.	Served for 2 years as Apprentice Engineer to Messrs. Crossley Bros., Ltd., Manchester and Southern Elec. Buildings, London. 3 years' term with the Calcutta Supply Corporation.
13	Mr. M.N.Dutt	23-9-1942	B.Sc. (Glasgow)	Has had some previous experience. Details not available
14	Mr.A.K.Sen	13-3-1943	B.Sc. (Glasgow)	---
15	Mr. Nasir Hussain	1-5-1945	B.Sc. AMIEE (London)	---

447

^[f.16] Terms of Appointment and Conditions of Service of Ministerial Staff Appointed by Superintendent Viceregal Estates

1419. Sardar Mangal Singh : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please place on the table of the House a sample copy of the terms of appointment and conditions of service offered to the ministerial staff appointed directly by the Superintendent, Viceregal Estates, for specific duty in Simla and or Delhi prior to the 14th July, 1936 ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : No particular form was prescribed for sending out offers of appointment to the staff. A copy of one of the appointment letters issued during this period is laid on the table.

Copy of letter No. 1031-M, dated the 25th February 1920 from the Nukutart Secretary to His Excellency the Viceroy, Delhi to the Superintendent, Viceregal Estates. Your letter No. 279-M, dated the 20th February 1920.

I sanction the appointment on probation for 6 months of Lala Dewan Chand as Store Keeper, ViceregalEstates,Simla,onRs. 50-5-70, with effect from the 1st January 1920viceS. Amir Chand resigned and also authorise the recovery from him of Rs. 350 of his security deposit at Rs. 10 a month. The agreement bond is relumed herewith.

448

^[f.17] RevisionofAllotmentRulesof Government Residences

1420. Sardar Mangal Singh : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state whether it is a fact that an officer who is transferred from Delhi to Simla or a Secretariat Department at Calcutta after the 1st April 1945, on re-transfer to Delhi, loses the benefit of his previous service, and has to earn his seniority afresh for the purpose of allotment of quarters ?

(b) What object has been achieved by not giving to such officials, seniority from the original date of qualifying posting vis-a-vis those who have remained on duty in Delhi, when transfers are ordered in the interest of public service ?

(c) As the situation with regard to residential accommodation is acute, and the persons affected are those who have put in quite a number of years in Government service and have large families, does the Honourable Member propose to examine the necessity of rescinding this decision ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes. (b) The objection aimed at was to give relief to relatively junior people whose stay in Delhi had been continuous and who had suffered more from the rigours of the Delhi housing conditions than offices stationed in Simla or Delhi.

449

^[f.18] Permission to Build more Sugar Factories in Certain Canal Irrigated Deccan Area of Bombay Province

1421. Sjt. B. S. Hiray : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that canals in the Deccan area of the Bombay Province were constructed for protective purposes ;

(b) whether it is a fact that the same purpose is served, if not, whether Government propose to extend the areas under Sugar Factories for sugar cane crop ;

(c) how many acres of land are irrigated by Canal water in this area, and how many of it are utilised by Sugar Factories for their purposes ; and

(d)whether Government propose to allow the construction of more Sugar Factories in this area ? If not, why not ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The information has been called for from the Government of Bombay and will be laid on the table of the House in due course.

450

^[f.19] Desirability of Extending Concessions Enjoyed by Staff of Viceregal Estates, Simla, to Staff of Simla Central Division of Central P.W.D.

165. Sardar Mangal Singh : With reference to the reply to part (b) of unstarred question No. 136, answered on the 9th April, 1945, regarding the desirability of extending to the ministerial and inferior staff of the Simla Central Division, the same concessions as are enjoyed by such staff of the Viceregal Estates, Simla, will the Honourable the Labour Member please state whether any decision has so far been arrived at ? If so, will he please place a copy of the orders issued on the subject on the table of the House ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : A copy of the orders embodying the final decision arrived at in the case is laid on the table.

Copy of letter No. E-6, dated the 6th December 1945 from the Assistant Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Labour, New Delhi, to the Additional Chief Engineer, Central Public Works Department, Western Zone, New Delhi.

Subject.—Grant of compensatory allowances to the staff of the Simla Central Division and of the Rent Control Office of the Central Public Works Department at Simla.

Reference your letter No. 01171-E, dated 7th June, 1944. The Governor-General in Council sanctions the grant of Compensatory allowances to the non-gazetted staff of the Simla Central Division and of the Rent Control Office of the Central Public Works Department at Simla at the rates shown below :—

(a) Non-gazetted Ministerial and Technical staff, other than inferior servants—15 per cent of pay subject to a minimum of Rs. 15 (fifteen) and maximum of Rs. 35 (thirty-five) per mensern. (b) Inferior Staff—Rs. 2 (two) per mensern fixed. 2. These orders will have retrospective effect from the 1st July, 1945.

451

^[f.20]Damodar Valley Development Scheme

1503. Babu Ram Narayan Singh : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state:

(a) the present stage of the Damodar Valley Development Scheme;

(b) if the preliminary survey is complete; (c) the total amount of cultivated land acquired and to be acquired in all the districts concerned ;

(d) the number of villages in all the districts to be affected; (e) the number of people (i) who will be deprived of their homes ; (ii) who will be deprived of their lands, and (iii) who will be deprived of both their homes and lands;

(f) if there is any scheme for the rehabilitation of the people to be ejected;

(g) if he is aware of the feelings of the people of all the totalities to be affected and also of the resolution of the Bihar Provincial Congress Working Committee on the scheme; and

(b) if he has considered the desirability or otherwise of postponing the working of the scheme till popular Governments begin functioning in Provinces and at the Centre ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) A preliminary investigation is in progress. (b) No.

(c), (d) and (e). Detailed information on these points is now being collected.

(0 No scheme has yet been finally drawn up but the matter is under the active consideration of Government and I can assure the Honourable Member that Government will keep prominently in mind the necessity of adequate rehabilitation of those dispossessed.

(g) Government have seen some press communications on this subject.

(h) Only preliminary investigations are now carried out and Government do not consider it desirable to postpone them or such action as may appear necessary on a consideration of them.

Babu Ram Narayan Singh : What will be the process of the rehabilitation of the people ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I am unable to make any definite statement.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : Will not the Honourable Member keep in mind the necessity of all those people, especially the peasants who will be ejected, for the grant of alternate pieces of land, where they can carry on their agriculture ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I certainly have that in mind.

Babu Ram Narayan Singh : May I know whether two or three years' notice will be given to these people who will have to leave their homes in the acquired area, so that they may build their houses in the new places and occupy them when they have to vacate their original homes ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I cannot commit myself to any particular period, but I am prepared to say that we shall certainly give long enough notice.

Babu Ram Narayan Singh : May I know. Sir, whether as a part of this Damodar Valley development scheme some big embankments are to be constructed on rivers in Santal Parganas District ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I am unable to say that at this stage.

Maulana Zafar AH Khan : Arising out of part (e) of the question may I know whether it is a fact that many villagers have been turned out of their homes in Assam, their houses have been demolished, they have been put to great inconvenience and their lands also have been taken away ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I do not see how this arises out of this question.

Mr. President : He says in connection with the scheme.

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : That does not affect Assam at all.

Babu Ram Narayan Singh : May I know whether this scheme has been finally decided upon ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Yes, Sir.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : Is it not a multi-purpose scheme ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Yes, Sir.

452

^[f.21] Strike in Indian School of Mine, Dhanbad

1504. Babu Ram Narayan Singh : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state whether there is a strike in the Indian School of Mine at Dhanbad ? If so, why, and has the strike come to an end ? If so, how ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The Honourable Member's attention is invited to the reply given to Starred Question No. 1265, on 26th March, 1946.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : Have the Government come to any conclusion regarding the recognition of the diplomas about which they were complaining ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The matter is under consideration.

453

^[f.22] Number of Indians Employed in International Labour Office

1511. Prof. N. G. Ranga : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state :

(a) the number of Indians employed by the I. L. 0. at its headquarters;

(b) the total amount spent by the I. .L. 0. on Indian members of the I. L. 0. offices and that contributed by the Government of India to the I. L. 0.

(c) whether there are any proposals to strengthen the I. L. 0. office in India and to open its Branches in all the provincial capitals to keep the I. L.O. in touch with Provincial Governments;

(d) whether Government are doing any thing to increase India's representation at the I. L. 0. headquarters, and if so, with what results; and

(e) whether Government propose to send some members of their secretariat to the I. L. 0. headquarters for a few months in order to enable them to study the Labour Legislation and its working countries and be in touch with the I. L. 0. work?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) It is understood that three Indians are employed at the International Labour Office headquarters. In the Indian Branch of the International Labour Office the personnel of which is wholly Indian, there is a Senior Officer with a sanctioned strength of seven members for 1946.

(b) The expenditure by the International Labour Organisation on Indian members in their various office for 1946 is as follows :

Headquarters ... ... 60,000 Swiss Francs or

Rs. 45,900 approximately

Indian Branches ... ... Rs. 44,640

India does not directly contribute to the I.L.O. funds but a portion of the contribution paid by India to the League of Nations is given to the I.L.O. The table below gives the details :

YEAR	Total Contribution to League of Nations (gold francs)	Portion allotted to the International Labour Office (gold francs)
1943	893.044,24	300,731,88
1944	815,024,64	300,960,18
1945	1,99,033,39	895,200 (Swiss Francs)
1946	1,302,938,67	Not known

Information obtained from Director, International Labour Office Indian Branch.

N.D.—Exchange rates :— Rs. As. Ps.

1 gold franc ... 1 1 5 approximately.

1 Swiss franc ... 0 12 4

(d) The answer is in the affirmative.

(i) A few suitable candidates are being selected by Federal Public Service Commission (India) for appointment to the International Labour Office ministerial staff at Montreal.

(ii) In the higher posts the question of the appointment of an Indian as an Assistant Director is under consideration.

(e) The question is under consideration.

Shri Mohan Lal Saksena : What is the rupee value of a gold franc ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : It is Rs. 1-1-5. This information has been given to us by the International Labour Office but I cannot vouch for it.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : With regard to part (c), will Government consider the advisability of suggesting to the I.L.O. to open its branches in all the Provincial Capitals to keep the I.L.O. in touch with Provincial Governments ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I will look into the matter. Prof. N. G. Ranga : Is it not a fact that the Asiatic countries and also the coloured countries are not given adequate representation on the governing body of the I.L.O. ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : That is the general impression but I cannot exactly say what the situation is.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : What steps do Government propose to take to sec that India as well as the other coloured peoples are given adequate representation on the governing body of the I.L.O.

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : We are always pressing the claim of India.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : With what result ? Has there been any improvement at all ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : We hope some day we will be successful.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : Is it not a fact that our position on the governing body is weaker than it used to be three years ago ?

The Honourable Dewan Bahadur Sir A. Ramaswami Mudaliar : May I answer this question ? My recollection is that both on the Government side and on the labour side there has been representation for a number of years. Our late colleague in this House, Mr. Joshi, was a member of the governing body for well over 10 or 12 years. Sir Atui Chatterjee was a member of the governing body on behalf of the Government and Chairman of the governing body on one occasion. The present High Commissioner, Sir Samuel Ranganathan is a member of the Governing body and was Chairman of the constitution making body of the governing body at the last International Labour Conference. At present, I believe, after Mr. Joshi ceased to be a member of the governing body during the last one year, there is no representative of the employees from India on the governing body. That is the only degeneration of the position, if it can be called a degeneration. So far as the Government is concerned, the High Commissioner is a member of the governing body. I cannot say anything about other coloured peoples but certainly India has been throughout a member of the governing body both from the Government side and from the employees side.

Sjt. N. V. Gadgil : Is it not a fact that certain changes have been recommended in the constitution of the governing body and they have been laid on the table of the House ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : That is a matter which will come up for discussion in connection with a Resolution I propose to move.

Diwan Chaman Lall : When is the Honourable Member moving it ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : In the course of this Session.

Shri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar : Now that there is a proposal to abolish the League of Nations, is there a proposal to have direct contribution to the I.L.O. from the Indian exchequer ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I cannot say. That will be a matter for the I.L.O. to decide.

454

^[f.23] Strikes in Central and Provincial Government Presses

1526. Prof. N. G. Ranga : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state :

(a) for how long the strike in the Government of India Press at New Delhi has been going on;

(b) the grievances and demands of the workers which were brought to the notice of Government.

(c) when these demands were brought before Government and what action was taken thereon to satisfy the legitimate needs of the workers ;

(d) how many workers are now involved in the strike; (e) whether it is a fact that this strike has spread to or similar strikes are in progress in, other Presses of the Central or Provincial Governments;

(f) whether it is a fact that such a strike is in progress in Bombay, vide page 4 of the Hindustan Times, of the 21st March, and

(g) what steps are being taken by Government to come to a settlement with the workers ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The strike lasted for 19 days from the 6th March to 24th March, 1946. (b) The demands were :

(1) Fixation of a fair living wage at a rate not lower than Rs. 50 p.m.

(2) Revision of existing scales of pay on an equal footing in all the Government of India Presses.

(3) Revision of the Contributory Fund Rules so as to bring them into line with State Railways Provident Fund and grant of gratuity on retirement or death.

(4) Increase in dearness and war allowances.

(5) Revision of leave Rules.

(6) Reduction in working hours from 48 to 40 a week.

(7) Allowance to the men working in the night shift.

(8) Increase in the class rates of pieceworkers.

(9) Casual leave and holidays with pay to pieceworkers.

(10) Retention of temporary workers. (c) and (g) The demands were brought to Government's notice in February last. The last five demands have since been conceded in part and the concessions announced. The first five demands, being of a general nature affecting all classes of Central Government servants, cannot be granted without due consideration and will have to wait the recommendations of the Pay Commission in regard to salaried hands. Government have also granted the following additional concessions to all press workers.

(i) The increased rates of dearness and war allowances would be given retrospective effect from the 1st July, 1944 instead of from 1st January, 1946 to all those now drawing them.

(ii) Half the dearness allowance will count as pay for the purpose of calculating the amount of pension of all workers in receipt of such allowance.

(iii) Those classed as inferior will draw pension up to the limit of half average pay.

Government also propose to appoint an Officer on special duty to report on the anomalies existing in the pay and conditions of service of the various categories of press workers in the different Government of India Presses.

(d) 775 industrial workers were involved. (e) Yes, to the Government of India Forms Press, Aligarh, the employees of which are on strike from the 15th March, 1946. The industrial workers of the Government of India Press, Calcutta and Forms Press, Calcutta, also gave notice of a strike but it has not yet been resorted to.

(f) Government have no information other than what has appeared in the Press. The Press in question is under the Provincial Government.

455

^[f.24] Requisitioning of Residential Property in New Delhi

1530. Diwan Chaman Lall : (a) In view of the War Department's declared intention to proceed as fast as possible with the de-requisitioning of private residential properly as staled in this House in the reply to starred question No. 924 on the 13th March, 1946, will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state whether the Labour Department intend to refrain likewise from requisitioning any more private residential property in New Delhi for accommodating the officers of the Central Government ?

(b) Do Government still intend to take possession in New Delhi of any residential property (for example No. 4, Ratendone Road) which was previously requisitioned by Government but which was not actually taken over by them? What are the reasons, if any, why it is still considered necessary to obtain possession of such requisitioned property ?

(c) In view of the general de-requisitioning programme, have Government considered the advisability of allowing the existing tenants of the residential accommodation referred to in part (b) above to continue in occupation thereof ? If so, do Government propose to issue early orders accordingly ? If not, why not ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Since the cessation of hostilities with Japan, Labour Department have given up requisitioning fresh residential property for accommodating officers of the Central Government.

(b) It is not possible to lay down any general rule. Where Government have permitted one of their servants to occupy a bungalow already requisitioned for the pool. Government must have the right to use the bungalow for the pool. No. 4, Ratendone Road is a case of this type.

This is necessary to secure the best utilisation of accommodation in the pool for Government purposes.

(c) Each case will have to be decided on its merits from the point of view of the best utilisation of accommodation in the pool.

456

^[f.25] Mica Mines Labour Welfare Fund Bill

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member) : Sir, I beg for leave to introduce a Bill to constitute a fund for the financing of activities to promote the welfare of labour employed in the mica mining industry.

Mr. President : The question is :

" That leave be granted to introduce a Bill to constitute a fund for the financing of activities to promote the welfare of labour employed in the mica mining industry." The motion was adopted.

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Sir, I introduce the Bill.

457

^[f.26] Factories (Amendment) Bill

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member) : Sir, I move :

" That the Bill further to amend the Factories Act, 1934, as reported by the Select Committee, be taken into consideration."

I do not think it is necessary at this stage for me to make any very lengthy observations on the Bill as it has emerged from the Select Committee. The Bill had originally seven clauses. Out of the seven clauses it is only four clauses to which the Select Committee have made certain amendments. Those amendments are largely speaking in the direction of liberalising the original provisions contained in the Bill in favour of the workmen. Although I find that some of the amendments made in the Select Committee to the original draft of the Bill have gone somewhat beyond the intentions of the Government, I do not propose to raise any objections to the Bill as it has emerged from the Select Committee. I am prepared to accept it in the form in which it now stands. Sir, I move.

Mr. Deputy President : Motion moved : " That the Bill further to amend the Factories Act, 1934 as reported by the Select Committee be taken into consideration."

458

^[f.27] Monthly Grant to Indian Federation of Labour

1632. Shri Satya Narayan Sinha : (a) Has the attention of the Honourable the Labour Member been drawn to the report published in the Sunday Morning Edition of the National Call, dated the 24th March regarding the data available in connection with the monthly grant of Rs. 13,000 for labour propaganda to the Indian Federation of Labour ?

(b) Is it a fact that, when the pay of the propagandists had decreased, the cost of dissemination of news has proportionately increased ?

(c) Is it a fact that the keeping of the accounts was severely criticised by the Auditor-General who has not satisfied with the accounting system ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) Yes. (b) The statement of accounts of the Indian Federation of Labour which placed before the House on 19th March, 1946 shows that variations in the expenditure, resulting in decreases under the heading relating to the ' pay of propagandists ' and corresponding increases under the heading relating to " dissemination of news " occurred in the months of May, June and July 1945. These variations were merely due to changes in the classification of headings of expenditure, introduced in April 1945, consequent on the transfer of control over the operations of the Labour propaganda scheme from the Information and Broadcasting Department to the Labour Department, whereby the expenditure on allowances to propagandists in charge of labour centres, workers clubs and other agencies of news dissemination, which was hitherto shown under the heading ' pay of establishment ' was shown from May 1945 onwards, under the heading ' honouraria for news dissemination '. The overall expenditure under the heading relating to ' pay of propagandists ' and ' dissemination of news ' during these months, however, remained almost the same as in the preceding months.

(c) The attention of the Honourable Member is invited to my answer to first part of (b) and (d) of question No. 31, asked by Mr. Lalchand Navalrai, on 2nd November, 1945, and also to para. 68 of the Report of the Public Accounts Committee on the accounts of 1943-44.

Shri Satya Narayan Sinha : What has happened after that ? Will the Honourable Member be pleased to place all these accounts before the Public Accounts Committee ? It is. a waste of public money, I believe.

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : It was considered by the Public Accounts Committee, and, as I have said in my reply, Honourable Member's attention is invited to para 68 of the Report of the Public Accounts Committee on the accounts of 1943-44.

Diwan Chaman Lall : May I ask my Honourable friend as to what the position is after 1945 and whether this grant has now been discontinued ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : It has been discontinued.

Diwan Chaman Lall : What was the position between 1945 and its discontinuance ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I have not got the information, but if my Honourable friend will put down a question I shall answer it.

Diwan Chaman Lall : Is it a fact that the accounts were vetted at the time when this grant was discontinued ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I must have notice of that.

Diwan Chaman Lall : My Honourable friend does not know whether they were vetted after that ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I could not tell you.

Shri Satya Narayan Sinha : Will the Honourable Member look into the whole matter?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I have. What more can I do?

Mr. Manu Subedar : What is the present amount of the expenditure on labour propaganda through Indian Federation of Labour ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : As I have said, the grant has been discontinued.

Shri Mohan Lal Saksena : May I know when was it discontinued?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Last year, if I mistake not.

Miss Maniben Kara : Is it not true that the accounts were submitted by the Indian Federation of Labour according to the procedure laid down by the Department of Information and Broadcasting at the time that the grant was made ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I believe so.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : Is it not a fact that the Indian Federation of Labour did not lay down their procedure for a long time even after the grant was made, and the Auditor General look very strong objection to the procedure followed by the Department itself?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : As I said in the course of my reply, this grant was really administered by the Information and Broadcasting Department. It was at a later stage that the administration was transferred to the Labour Department.

Diwan Chaman Lall : Why ?

Miss Maniben Kara : Is it not true that prior to May 1944, the Federation was asked to dispense with submitting of the vouchers and they were asked merely to submit the accounts and also whether the Indian Federation of Labour did not do so according to the instructions of that Department ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I am unable to say. The matter was administered by another department.

Miss Maniben Kara : Is it not a fact that the grant has now been stopped as a result of the termination of the war ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Yes, I said so.

Prof. N.G.Ranga : How many of those people who were formerly engaged as propagandists for 'dissemination of news' under this grant have come to be absorbed by the Information and Broadcasting Department ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The question ought to be put to the Honourable Member for Information and Broadcasting Department.

Shri Mohan Lal Saksena : May I know whether the grant terminated before the termination of the war or afterwards ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I cannot say exactly.

Shri Mohan Lal Saksena : Was it not terminated last year in April 1945 ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Yes.

Diwan Chaman Lall : May I ask my Honourable friend whether the final accounts have been placed before the Public Accounts Committee ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : They will be placed before the public Accounts Committee in due course I am sure.

Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer : Is it not a fact that this amount of Rs. 30,000 was misused ? It was not used for the purpose for which this Government had allotted this money; and that it was used for the Honourable Member's party propaganda.

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I must take strong objection to the statement made by my Honourable friend that this money was spent on party propaganda. You must withdraw that.

Mr. President : Order, order.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : He did not say that.

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Yes, he did.

Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer : Let the Honourable Member deny it on the floor of the House and not lose his temper.

Mr. President : Order, order. Will the Honourable Member resume his seat ? The Honourable Member is not in order in saying that the Honourable Member for Labour was in temper.

Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer : May I ask, is the Honourable Member entitled to lose his temper which he usually does in the House ?

Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : The Honourable Member said that he strongly protests against such questions. Are these parliamentary words ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I said I strongly protest against the suggestion made by my Honourable friend that this money was used for the party to which I belong. I do not belong to the Indian Labour Federation.

Mr. President : I have not been able to understand the objection of Dr. Sir Zia Uddin.

Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : Can the Honourable Member say : ' I strongly protest against any particular question ? '

Diwan Chaman Lall : May I ask whether it is a fact that this money was utilized for the propaganda of the Indian Federation of Labour ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I cannot say. So far as Government information goes, it was used for the purposes for which it was granted.

Diwan Chaman Lall : May I ask my Honourable friend whether it is a fact that honest and decent organisations like the All-India Trade Union Congress refused to touch a single penny of such money ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : My Honourable friend is entitled to have his own opinion with regard to certain organisations.

Diwan Chaman Lall : Is it a fact that my Honourable friend approached the All-India Trade Union Congress in this respect and that the All-India Trade Union Congress refused to touch this money ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : We approached all organisations. It was a general circular addressed to all organisations that if they care to come and have a scheme for maintaining the morale of labour, the Government of India was prepared to help in this respect. The Government of India did not invite any particular organisation to join this scheme.

Diwan Chaman Lall : Is it a fact that the only organisation that did come to my Honourable friend and make use of this money was the Indian Federation of Labour ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Yes.

Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer : Is the Honourable Member now satisfied at any rate by the discussion that has taken place as a result of so many supplementary questions, that this money has not been properly used and that there is a suspicion. In view of this, will the Honourable Member appoint a non-official auditor to look into the accounts of this amount ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I do not think it is necessary to do so. The matter will come before the Public Accounts Committee which is the committee appointed by this House.

Diwan Chaman Lall : May I ask why has the Honourable Member delayed placing this matter before the Public Accounts Committee....

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : It has not been delayed.

Diwan Chaman Lall: ......... considering that this expenditure ceased last year?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : It has not been delayed. It has been put before the Public Accounts Committee.

Diwan Chaman Lall : Why has it not been put before it so far ?

Mr. President : Next question.

459

^[f.28] Junior Readers in Government Presses

1635. Hajee Chowdhury Mohammad Lsmail Khan : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state the basis on which officiating Junior Readers are confirmed in the permanent posts of Junior Readers, in all the Government of India Presses ?

(b) Is it a fact that the nature of the duties and the cadre of Copyholders are quite different from those of Junior Readers ?

(c) Is it a fact that some officiating Junior Readers who entered the Junior Reader's grade earlier, have been declared junior in the Junior Reader's grade to some of the copyholders who failed to qualify in the Readership Examination in which they appeared along with the former in any Government of India Press ?

(d) Is it a fact that the order by which the qualified copyholders are once allowed to work in the Junior Reader's posts can be altered if they continue to maintain their efficiency to the utmost satisfaction ? (e) Do Government propose to consider the desirability of giving preference in the permanent posts of Junior Readers, to those qualified Copyholders who have more length of total service as officiating Junior Readers at their credit ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Confirmation is made according to seniority in the rank of copyholders except, in the case of men who have qualified in the reader's examination in the third chance for whom certain reservations have been made. (b) Yes. (c) Yes.

(d) Yes, unless the junior copyholder is confirmed earlier. (e) No. The present rules have been framed after full consideration.

1636. ^[f.29] Hajee Chowdhury Mohammad Ismail Khan : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state whether the scale of pay of the New Scale Junior Readers is Rs. 55-3-85 and that of Copyholders Rs. 45-4-60-EB-5-80 (in the *C' grade of the United Scale), in the Government of India Press, New Delhi ?

(b) Is it also a fact that anomalies still exist between the pay of Junior Readers and that of Copyholders because a permanent Junior Reader with four or five year's service as such at his credit is getting Rs. 64 per month only, whereas a temporary Copyholder, officiating as a Junior Reader would be getting Rs. 67 per month ?

(c) Is it a fact that the Manager of the said press had recommended 'B' grade, after a very careful consideration, to Junior Readers, which being the only alternative of removing the existing anomalies ?

(d) Does the Honourable Member propose to sanction 'B' grade of the unified scale for Junior Readers at an early date for the purpose of removing these anomalies? If not, why not ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes. (b) A permanent Junior reader on revised scale of pay is entitled to Rs. 64 p.m. after four years' service and to Rs. 67 p.m. after five years' service. In certain cases a temporary Copyholder in the unified scale, if appointed as reader is entitled to Rs. 67 p.m. (c) Yes.

(d) The unified scale is a temporary scale and was intended for the clerical staff of the Government of India. It was made specially applicable to the Copyholders and Junior Revisers of the Government of India Presses. The application of the 'B' Grade of the unified scale would create more anomalies and complications as there are several grades of readers on different rates of pay in the various Government of India Presses.

460

^[f.30] Uses of Thorium

1642. Sri M. K. Jinachandran : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state the uses to which Thorium could be put militarily ? Is the article capable of being used for any civil purpose ? If so, what ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : According to recent reports it seems possible that in the chain reactions which led to the release of atomic energy a part of the Uranium can be replaced by Thorium. Thorium is used in the manufacture of incandescent gas mantles, lamps, radio valves, etc. Prof. N. G. Ranga : Where is it to be found in India ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Travancore.

Sri A. Karunakara Menon : Only in Travancore or in any other part of India ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I want notice of that.

Mr. Manu Subedar : Has Government been approached by His Majesty's Government or by anybody outside India in order to control this supply of Thorium, and have Government committed themselves to any particular country ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I have no knowledge of any such suggestion.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : Are Government getting this thing examined by their geological experts ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I will bear that suggestion in mind.

Sri A. Karunakara Menon : Are they exporting this product to any foreign country ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I have no information. If my Honourable friend wants any information, he must give me enough notice.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : Is it being exported? If so, every step possible should be taken to stop its export for national security.

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I will find out.

461

^[f.31] Muslims in Central P. W. D.

1646. Mr. Muhammad Rahmat-Ullah : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state the ratio of Muslim employees in the following posts in the Central Public Works Department -(i) Superintending Engineers, (ii) Executive Engineers, (iii) Assistant Executive Engineers, (iv) Sub-Divisional Officers, (v) Subordinates, (vi) Head Clerks, (vii) Divisional Accountants ? (b) Why is the Muslim ratio inadequate in gazetted posts ? (c) Why are not the Muslims given promotions on communal basis when the appointments are made on communal basis and when the ratio is hardly eight per cent ?

(d) What will be the policy of Government on the confirmation of staff of the Central Public Works Department in the near future ? What steps will be taken to adjust the ratio in all posts ?

(e) On what basis are the construction and maintenance works allotted to Sub-Divisional Officers and Subordinates? If the Muslims are deprived of the above works and if the complaint is made to the Chief Engineer or the Superintending Engineers, what steps do they take to check communalism ?

(c) Is it a fact that the Store or the Standard Measurement Books are allotted to the Muslim Subordinates? Is it a fact that they are not entrusted with the construction and the maintenance works in the Central Public Works Department in Delhi and outside ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) (i) Superintending Engineers-6 per cent. (ii) Executive Engineers-17 per cent. (iii) Assistant Executive Engineers-14 per cent. (iv) Sub-Divisional Officers-17 per cent. (v) Subordinates-22 per cent. (vi) Head Clerks-24 per cent.

(vii) Figures for Divisional Accountants are not readily available. (b) The posts of Superintending and Executive Engineers are filled by promotion and the orders regarding reservation of appointments for minority communities do not apply to cases of promotion. It is not, therefore, possible to secure the 25 per cent. quota for Muslims in such posts. As regards Assistant Executive Engineers who are appointed both by direct recruitment as well as by promotion, the shortage of Muslims is due to the refusal of a Muslim candidate to accept the offer of appointment which was recently made to him.

(d) All confirmations of direct recruits and other temporary personnel holding no substantive appointments under Government will be made with due regard to the requirements of the orders regarding reservation of appointments for minority communities. No adjustment of the ratio can, however, be made in the case of appointments made by promotion, but in effecting retrenchment, if any, the orders regarding observance of the communal representation rules will be duly followed.

(c) Construction and maintenance works are not allotted to Sub-Divisional Officers and Subordinates on any communal basis. (0 No.

Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : May I ask, as regards the appointment of Superintending Engineer, if the Honourable Member said on the floor of the House that one place was vacant and he has appointed a person who is not even qualified to carry on the work as Superintending Engineer, while the Mussalmans who could be appointed as Superintending Engineer were not appointed ? I also pointed out to him on the floor of the House that the appointment will be made when the Assembly is over and we will have to come up with an adjournment motion.

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: My Honourable friend is completely mistaken. I said that the Executive Engineer was called upon to do the current duties of the office. No appointment has been made.

Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad: You said he can carry on the work of this Superintending Engineering. I cannot understand the work of this man when he is not carrying on for a day or two, but for months together. Is this the efficiency of this Department ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: My Honourable friend is entitled to have this opinion.

Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad: Our opinion is that the entire Department is very inefficient. As regards the other lists of appointments that he has for posts of Executive Engineer, there is not a single Muslim.

Mr. President : Order, order. Will the Honourable Member put his question ?

Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad: I am putting this question. Is it not a fact that in the list now prepared, there is not a single appointment for Muslims ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : How does my Honourable friend know it ? The list has not come to me.

Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : The outcome is that not a single man is a Muslim.

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I do not understand how my Honourable friend can make that statement. The Government has taken no action.

Mr. President : Order, order.

Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : Can the Honourable Member deny that there is not a single Muhammadan in the list which he has prepared for Superintending Engineer?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : As I said, I have not the list. The file has not been sent to me. My Honourable friend will have to wait until the Department has taken action before he criticises.

Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad: Then it will be too late.

Mr. President: Order, order.

Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer: Is the Honourable Member prepared to agree that the percentage of Muslims in these appointments of Superintending Engineers and others falls far below the 25 per cent. reserved quota for Mussalmans under G. R. Home Department of 1934, and if so is the Honourable member going to take steps to maintain the quota ?

Mr. President : Has not the Honourable Member already answered that?

Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer: No. Sir.

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The figures are so obvious.

Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer : It means that the Honourable Member agrees that the Muslim quota is far below the 25 per cent. May I ask

the Honourable member whether he is prepared to take immediate steps to see that the Muslim quota is properly carried out ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The Honourable Member's attention is invited to my reply to part (c) of the question.

Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : If that position is accepted no Muslims will ever be appointed. The Honourable Member will ask somebody else to carry on the work.

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: The real complaint is against the circular issued by the Home Department and not against the Labour Department.

462

^[f.32] Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Bill

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member) : I move for leave to introduce a Bill to require employers in industrial establishments formally to define conditions of employment under them.

Diwan Chaman Lall (West Punjab : Non-Muhammadan) : May I, on a point of order enquire how this Bill can be moved when another Bill is being discussed ? Would it not be proper to take up this motion after the other Bill has been discussed ?

Mr. President : We have not started with the discussion of the other Bill which was pending before the House. This is purely a formal matter. It is more convenient, and so far as I know there have been precedents also where a pending matter before the House has been postponed and another matter taken up. It is purely a matter of procedure and adjustment. The question is:

" That leave be granted to introduce a Bill to require employers in industrial establishments formally to define conditions of employments under them." The motion was adopted.

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Sir, I introduce the Bill.

463

^[f.33] Papers Laid on the Table Reports of the Labour Investigation Committee

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member) : Sir, I lay on the table a copy each of the following Reports of the Labour Investigation Committee:—

(1) Report on an Enquiry into Conditions of Labour in the Silk Industry in India.

(2) Report on an Enquiry into conditions of Labour in the Cement Industry in India.

(3) Report on Labour Conditions in Carpet Weaving.

(4) Report on Labour Conditions in the Iron Ore Industry.

(5) Report on Labour Conditions in Coir Mats and Matting Industry.

(6) Report on Labour Conditions in the Mica Mining and Mica Manufacturing Industry.

(7) Report on an Enquiry into Conditions of Labour in Dockyards in India.

(8) Report on Labour Conditions in the Shellac Industry.

(9) Report on Rickshaw Pullers.

(10) Report on Labour Conditions in the Rice Mills.

(11) Report on Labour Conditions in the Glass Industry.

(12) Report on an enquiry into conditions of Labour in the Bidi, Cigar and Cigarette industries.

(13) Report on an Enquiry into Conditions of Labour in Plantations in India.

(14) Report on an enquiry into conditions of Labour in the Gola Mining Industry in India.

(15) Report on Labour Conditions in Potteries.

(16) Report on Labour Conditions in the Chemical Industry.

(17) Report on an Enquiry into Conditions of Labour in the Manganese Mining Industry in India.

(18) Report on an Enquiry into Conditions of Labour in the Mineral Oil Industry in India.

(19) Report on an Enquiry into Conditions of Labour in the Woollen Textile Industry in India.

(20) Report on an Enquiry into conditions of Labour in the Paper Mill

Industry in India.

Sjt. N. V. Gadgil (Bombay Central Division : Non-Muhammadan Rural) : These papers are not circulated. Will the Honourable Member be good enough to supply them to those who apply for them ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I shall certainly consider it. Sir. We have not got sufficient number of copies.

Mr. President: The present request is to supply copies to those only who ask for them.

464

^[f.34] Minimum Wages Bill

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member) : Sir, I move for leave to introduce a Bill to provide for fixing minimum wages in certain employments.

Mr. President : The question is :

" That leave be granted to introduce a Bill to provide for fixing minimum wages in certain employments. " The motion was adopted.

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Sir, I introduce the Bill.

465

^[f.35] Mica Mines Labour Welfare Fund Bill Presentation of Report of Select Committee

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member) : Sir, I beg to present the report of the Select Committee on the Bill to constitute a fund for the financing of activities to promote the welfare of labour employed in the mica mining industry.

466

^[f.36] Deposits of Thorium

1740. Mr.Ahmed E. H. Jaffer : Will the Honourable the Labour member be pleased to state if deposits of thorium which is used for the manufacture of atomic energy have been discovered in many parts of India ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The Honourable Member's attention is invited to the reply given in this House to starred question No. 1276, on 26th March, 1946.

Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer: Is it a fact that considerable deposits of thorium have been found in the Travancore State, and, if so, have Government taken any steps to control this in the matter of disposal ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: It is in an Indian State and the Government of India have no right to interfere in that.

1743. Sardar Mangal Singh : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state:

(a) the number of refrigerators purchased by Government for installations at the residential buildings at Delhi and New Delhi ;

(b) the terms and conditions on which they are let on hire to the tenants of those buildings ;

(c) the particulars of officials of the Estate Office and Public Works Department, who are provided with the temporarily and permanently;

(d) whether they are not available for the use of the Honourable Members of the central Legislature during their occupation of those buildings of official duty in connection with Sessions and committees;

(e) if it is a fact that most of the staff of the office and department not in occupation of those buildings are provided with them ; and (f) if Government propose to make them available for use of the Honourable members of the Central Legislature by withdrawing them from the staff of that office and of that department ; if not, why not ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) 334. (b) The terms and conditions of hire are laid down in the Rules for the allotment of refrigerators in Delhi and New Delhi, a copy of which is placed on the table of the House.

(c) Only one officer, viz.. Additional Chief Engineer, Central Public Works Department, has been allotted a refrigerator for the Summer Season 1946. (d) No. (c) No.

(f) The question does not arise.

***

Diwan Chaman Lall : With reference to the answer to (d), may I ask whether they are not available to members of the Assembly.

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Under the rules, they are not available.

Mr. Manu Subedar: May I know what has happened to the refrigerators which were requisitioned by the Government during the war from private individuals ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I want notice.

467

^[f.37] Requisitioning of House No. 42-B, Hanuman Lane, New Delhi

1756. Mr. P. B. Gole : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state whether house No. 42-B, Hanuman Lane, New Delhi, requisitioned by Government is lying vacant for a long time ? If so, since when ? Are Government paying the rent of the house lying vacant ?

(b) Is it a fact that the house was occupied by Mr. Manoharlal Tuli before it was requisitioned by Government ?

(c) Is it a fact that when the house was vacated by Mr. Manoharlal, it was in a damaged condition and, consequently, no allottee was prepared to occupy the same ? (d) Is it a fact that Government now propose to release the house ?

Why was not the house released earlier when nobody was prepared to occupy it ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The house was allotted to an officer on 15th September, 1945, but as he did not occupy it, it has been lying vacant ever since that date. Government are paying rent for the period the house has been lying vacant. (b) Yes. (c) No.

(d) Yes. The latter part of the question does not arise in view of the answer given to part (c) of the question. (e) About the 15th April 1946.

468

^[f.38] Application of National Labour Tribunal Ordinance to Officers of Merchant Navy

1757. Miss Maniben Kara : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state :

(a) Whether the National Labour Tribunal Ordinance made applicable to certified officers on ships of Indian Registry in December, 1944, was an emergency measure;

(b) whether Government consider that the same emergency still continues to exist; if so, for what reasons; and

(c) whether in view of the restriction on the liberties of seamen that the Ordinance imposes, Government propose to revoke it at an early date, at least as far as the officers of the Merchant Navy are concerned ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) Yes. (b) No.

(c) The provisions of the National service (Technical Personnel) Ordinance 1940, have been generally relaxed since February 1946, and they are not being used to take technical personnel into the national service. Control over the movement of technical personnel has also been relaxed except in the case of key technical staff engaged on work of national importance. In the case of ships pilots, the provisions of the Ordinance may be invoked to the extent necessary to keep them at their posts of duty until the end of April 1946, by which date it is hoped to withdraw control over their movements unless it is found that the control is still necessary in the interests of the quick handling of imported foodgrains at ports. It is proposed to withdraw all control over the movements of other technical personnel by the end of April, 1946.

Miss Maniben Kara : Is the Honourable member aware that the Ordinance is being used against the Indian Merchant Naval Officers particularly by Indian Companies, that under the threat of this Ordinance, the Merchant Navy Officers are harassed ? I am not talking of the pilots of the Indian merchant Navy.

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I am not aware of it, but if particular instances are brought to my notice I will look into the matter.

Miss Maniben Kara : Is it not a fact that some appeal was made by the Maritime Union of India against the use of this Ordinance by Scindia Company (India) ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I am afraid I must have notice of that.

Mr. President: He wants to have notice.

469

^[f.39] Rates of Supply of Electricity in Delhi, New Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta

1771. Pandit Thakur Das Bhargava : Will the Honourable the Labour Member kindly stale :

(a) the rates of supply of electricity in Delhi and New Delhi compared with those in Calcutta and Bombay.

(b) the reasons why the rates in Delhi and New Delhi cannot be brought into line with those in Calcutta or Bombay; and

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) A statement is laid on the table.

(b) The rates for lighting and fans in Delhi and New Delhi are already uniform. The question of removal of the slight difference in the rates for power is under consideration.

The reason for the difference between New Delhi and Delhi rates on the one hand and Calcutta or Bombay rates on the other is that the Supply undertakings at Bombay and Calcutta, having considerably larger loads both domestic and industrial, are able to maintain a very much better lead factor than smaller undertakings at Delhi and New Delhi. Apart from this, conditions vary from place to place and much depends upon the types of generating plant used and other facilities connected with such plant.

(c) It is not possible to make any statement on this subject at present, but the Honourable member can rest assured that the matter is constantly under attention.

470

*[f40] Constitution of the Delhi Central Electric Power Authority

1772. Pandit Thakur Das Bhargava : Will the Honourable the Labour Member kindly state :

(a) the constitution of the Delhi Central Electric Power Authority Company, Limited;

(b) if it is a fact that all the members of the Board are Europeans with the Exception of one Indian;

(d) if it is a fact that the Delhi Municipality insist on having two representatives instead of one ;

(e) if Government propose to take over the Delhi Electric and Traction Company, Limited, and if the said Company had a representative on the Board of the Delhi Central Electric Power Authority Company, Limited; and

(f) what objections, if any. Government have got to give more representation to the Delhi Municipality by giving it the representation enjoyed by the Delhi Electric and Traction Company, Limited, when it is taken over in addition to the representation already given to it ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) Presumably the Honourable member refers to the Delhi Central Electric Power Authority. Its membership is as follows:

(1) Governor General in Council;

(2) Delhi Factories Owners' Federation;

(3) Commander, Delhi Independent Brigade Area;

(4) The Punjab Chamber of Commerce ;

(5) The Delhi Electric Supply and Traction Company, Ltd.,

(6) New Delhi Municipal Committee. (b) Yes. (c) No.

(d) This was the position of the Delhi Municipal Committee in 1938 when the Delhi Central Electric Power Authority was established. The question has not been raised since. (e) Yes.

(f) As the Delhi Municipal Committee is not a member of the Delhi Central Electric Power Authority Limited, the question of giving it additional representation does not arise.

471

^[f.41] Dr. Krishnan's Suggestions re : Mineral Resources of India

1773. Prof. N. G. Ranga : Will the Honourable the Labour member be pleased to state :

(a) if his attention has been drawn to the report of a lecture delivered by Dr. M. S. Krishnan to the Geology Association of the Presidency College, Madras, on the 14th of March, as reported in the Hindu of the 14th March;

(b) What steps are being taken to obtain adequate quantities and build up reserves of copper, silver, nickel, platinum, tin, mercury, graphite and potash;

(c) what steps are also being taken to develop and exploit hydraulic (electrical) power resources in all those Provinces which do not have coal mines within easy reach, so as to develop total industries;

(d) whether any steps are being taken to draw power from wind through wind mills and to popularise the use of wind mills ; and

(e) whether Dr. Krishnan's suggestion of establishing " well-equipped laboratories " to " assess the quality and quantity of the various minerals " and also his suggestion that totally available minerals shall be utilised in preference to imports will be fully studied ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) Yes. (b) During the war Government had a proposal under consideration to build up in India a strategic stock of certain important minerals and related substances; but it did not materialise. Government are considering a revision of its mineral policy and due attention will in that connection be paid to these minerals which are in short supply in India.

(c) Generally speaking steps are being taken by Provincial and State Governments to develop and exploit Hydro-Electric Power Resources to the maximum extent of technical manpower at present available for such investigations. Central Technical Power Board is already assisting in certain cases subject to limit of its present strength in manpower and will do more when adequate technical staff is procured. Government of India are fully aware of the necessity for far greater measure of Hydro-Electric System development throughout the country than is at present being undertaken, particularly in areas which are remote from major coal deposits, but they consider that this cannot be achieved without a far greater body of experienced technical personnel than at present exists and to this end are doing their utmost to recruit Specialists Technical personnel on contract.

(d) No special steps are being taken by Government of India to draw power from wind or to popularise use of Wind Mills at present. Government is advised that such installations, while useful in selected areas depending on meteorological conditions, are individually productive of only extremely small amounts of power and that too intermittently.

(e) The Geological Survey of India has been lately reorganised and its laboratory facilities considerably expanded. Further expansion in the direction of providing free advice and information on mineral and mining matters is being taken up. The recently planned National Metallurgical and National Chemical Laboratories will be fully equipped to assess the quality of Indian minerals and in other ways prove of great assistance in the development of mineral industries. Domestic treatment and utilisation of India's minerals and ores, in preference to their export in the raw condition, is being considered by Government. A number of industrial Panels, instituted since 1944, have collected valuable information and data under this head which are being studied for the framing of a new Mineral Policy.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : As regards part (c), the Honourable Member says they need many more specialists in order to develop these hydroelectric power resources. What steps are Government taking to get Indians of requisite abilities and qualifications to specialise in these directions so that their services may be made use of?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : A number of Indians have been sent abroad for training in these specialised occupations.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : As part of this new scheme of sending scholars ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : In addition to them, there are also other people who have been sent.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : With reference to part (d), my Honourable friend threw cold water on the suggestion to utilise wind power by saying that it could only give intermittent power and nothing more. In view of the fact that thousands of peasants are interested in these wind-mills, will Government try and look into this matter a little more carefully and devise ways by which they can possibly assist our peasants and others to draw as much power as is possible from wind and thus help them ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : As I said it depends upon how much wind there is in any particular area.

Prof. N. G. Ranga : There are meteorological experts and it ought to be possible for them to work out some plans and see how much power can be derived by utilising wind in different parts of the country ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Yes ; we have considered that.

472

^[f.42] Demobilised Military Officers in Civil Employ

214. Seth Sukhdev : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state how many demobilised military officers have been taken in civil employment under the Central Government in various Department during the last six months?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: The information asked for is being collected and will be communicated to the Honourable Member when ready.

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