Dr. Ambedkar As The Member of Executive
Governor General Council
Questions and Answers
______________________________________________
PART II
31
*[f1]Help to Dependants of Enemy Air
Raid Victims
183.
Mr. H. A. Sathar H. Essak Sait: Will the Honourable Member for Labour be pleased to state :
(a)
the arrangements that have been made to succour the heirs and dependants of those who are killed or injured as a result of enemy bombing in India
;
(b) whether such arrangements for their succour will come into play immediately after the raids or the dependants are expected to go through the formalities of putting up applications
and undergoing enquiries, etc.,
before help is rendered to them; and
(c) the details of the help that was rendered
to the citizens, especially
the poorer section of
Calcutta and other places in
India, which were bombed by
the enemy for: (i) the disposal of their dead, (ii) the treatment of the injured, (iii) the
toss of their means of livelihood, and (iv) their rehabilitation generally?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
:
(a) and (b) Provision for relief of persons injured by enemy bombing
and of the dependants of those killed by such action has been made in the War Injuries Scheme prepared by Government under the War
Injuries Ordinance.
Applications for relief have naturally to be made, but the procedure has been made as expeditious as possible. When
the person concerned is incapable of making an
application, provision has also been made to entertain applications on
his behalf.
Provision
has also been made for
advances by employers of amounts upto
Rs. 50 in each case against
awards that may be made in respect of the injury or death.
A
copy of the pamphlet containing
the War Injuries Ordinance Scheme and Regulations has been placed in the Library of the House.
(c) (i) and (ii) These are matters of Provincial responsibility
and the Government of India are not in
possession of details as to
how they worked. Full advice has been given by the Government of India as to the formation of organisations for corpse disposal and the treatment of the injured and schemes on the lines recommended have in fact been put into
operation. The Government of
India have been informed by the Provincial Governments that the schemes worked
satisfactorily. No complaints or criticisms as to their efficient working have come to the notice of the Government of India.
(iii) and (iv) The Government of India have no detailed information on these points. The scale of raiding
has hitherto been light and
as far as the information in the
possession of the Government of India would
indicate, no special
problems in this connection have
arisen in the case of any bombed area. It is understood that relief under the War Injuries Scheme has been granted in many cases and some cases are under investigation.
Mr.
H. A. Sathar H. Essak Sait : With regard to part (b) has my Honourable friend satisfied
himself that there was really no complaint of
delays ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
: I am not aware of any.
32
[f.2]
Summaries of the Proceedings of the Fourth Labour Conference and of Meetings of the Standing Labour Committee
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
(Labour Member) : Sir, I lay on the table a copy[f.3]
each of the following :
(1)
Summary of Proceedings of the
Fourth Labour Conference (First Tripartite
Conference) held on 71.11
August, 1942.
(2)
Summary of Proceedings of the First meeting of the Standing Labour Committee
held on 30th November and
1st December, 1942.
(3)
Summary of Proceedings of the Second
meeting of the Standing
Labour Committee held on
25th January, 1943.
33
[f.4]
Desirability of Applying the Control of Rent Act to the Notified Area, Shahdara and Delhi
211.
Mr. Muhammad Azhar Ali : Will the Honourable Member for Labour please state :
(a)
if it is a fact that most of the
workers employed in the industrial,
commercial and Government offices at Delhi reside within the Notified Area, Shahdara and Delhi.
(b) if it is a fact that the
said workers are mostly low paid staff and are in greater number than the residents of the Notified Area, Civil Station, Delhi, and
the newly expanded areas of Daryaganj and Karol Bagh, Delhi, where the
Control of Rent Act applies;
(c) the reasons for not applying the
Control of Rent Act to the Notified
Area, Shahdara, Delhi ; and
(d) if Government propose to apply the
Control of Rent Act to the residential buildings within the Notified Area, Shahdara and Delhi, if not, why not ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
(a) and (b) I am prepared to
take these facts from the Honourable Member.
(c)
and (d) It is not administratively
practicable to apply the New
Delhi House Rent Control Order, 1939, to these areas, but the Punjab Urban Rent Restriction Act has been extended to them.
Mr. Lalchand Navalrai : What are the reasons for not applying the New Delhi House Rent Control Order, 1939 ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: Because one
is more expeditious.
34
[f.5]
House Rent Control Cases in New Delhi
228. Khan Bahadur Shaikh Fazl-i-Haq Piracha: Will
the Honourable the Labour Member please state : (a) the number of cases decided by the Rent Controller, New Delhi, regarding the extension of tendency of houses in New Delhi in 1942;
(b) whether there
were cases in which the landlords applied that they required the houses for their own use ;
(c) if the
answer to (b) be in the
affirmative, how many
applications from the landlords were rejected and how many accepted; and
(d) if it is a fact that the rejection of such applications
operated harshly against
landlords and is against the intention of the Rent Control Order; if so, whether the Honourable Member for
Labour proposes to enquire into such cases and to revise the decisions
of the Rent Controller, where necessary ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
:
The information asked for is not readily available and its collection would involve an amount of time and Labour that would not be justifiable in war time.
35
[f.6]
House Rent-Control Cases in New Delhi
[f.7]
229. Khan Bahadur Shaikh Fazl-i-Haq Piracha: Will the
Honourable the Labour Member please state : (a) the number of cases for the fixation of rent
for houses in New Delhi
which were decided by the Rent Controller, New Delhi, in
1942;
(b)
in how many cases were the
landlords asked to submit their
objections;
(c) why
the landlords were not summoned in other cases ; and
(d) whether the
Honourable Member proposes
to instruct the Rent Controller to summon landlords in
cases referred to in (c) ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) 534. (b)
to (c) The information asked for is not readily available and its collection would take an amount of time and Labour that would not be justifiable in war time.
(d)
The Controller summons the landlords in all cases where it is necessary to do so for the
purpose of determining properly the matters on which he has to adjudicate, and no special instructions are necessary.
36
[f.8]
House Rent-Control
Cases in New Delhi
[f.9]
230. Khan Bahadur Shaikh Fazl-i-Haq Piracha: Will the Honourable
the Labour Member please state : (a) whether the cases for the extension
of tenancy were actually heard during 1942 in
New Delhi, by Mr. Jones, late Rent Controller, but decisions were given by his successor without hearing the parties concerned ; if so, what is the number of such cases ; and
(b) whether he proposes to appoint an officer
to re-examine such cases ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
:
(a) No ; the latter part of the question does not arise.
(b) Does not arise.
37
*[f10]Desirability
of Extension of the Punjab Rent Restrictions
Act to Entire Delhi Province
231. Khan Bahadur Shaikh Fazl-i-Haq Piracha: Will the Honourable
the Labour Member please
state :
(a)
whether the Punjab Rent Restrictions Act has been applied to some parts of the Delhi Province ;
(b)if it is a fact that the areas covered by the Rent Control Order have been excluded from the operation of that Act; and
(c) whether the
Honourable Member proposes
to withdraw the Rent Control
Order and advise Government to extend the application of the said Act to those areas also ; if not, why not?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar:
(a) and (b) Yes.
(c)
No. The Rent Control Order provides a speedy method of determining the fair rent of a
house not provided for by the Punjab Act and I
do not see any reason for withdrawing the Order.
[f.11]House
Rent Control in Simla
[f.12]232. Khan Bahadur Shaikh Fazl-i-Haq Piracha: (a) Is the Honourable
the Labour Member aware that in 1940 the rents of private properties in Simla were reduced considerably owing to the retention of the civil Departments of the
Government of India in Delhi and that a large number of houses remained vacant or were leased on a nominal rent by the landlords concerned during the course of that year ? If so, does Government propose not to determine the rents for that year as basic rents under the Rent Control Order ?
(b)
Is the Honourable Member
aware that the cost of repairs has gone up very high and that the Punjab Government have imposed a new tax of 7 V per cent on the properly under a new Act ?
(c)
Are 'Government aware that the landlords in Simla are suffering Financially from the restrictions imposed by the Government concerned in one way or the other ?
(d) Does the Honourable Member propose to amend The House Control Order for
Simla, so as to determine
the rents for 1939 as basic rents plus 25 per cent on account of the increased cost of repairs or alternatively to withdraw the Rent Control Order and to apply the Punjab
Rent Restrictions Act
instead ? If not, why not ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
(a) Rents at the beginning
of 1940 were lower than in 1939 when landlords had raised rents to an unreasonably high figure. Houses were not, however, rented at nominal rents in 1940, and the Government of India considered that the rents of 1940 were fair rents to take as basic rents under the Rent Control Order.
(b) Yes.
(c) Landlords are not suffering financially from the restrictions imposed upon them by Government but they are prevented
from making more than reasonable profit on their
properties.
(d) No ; the Rent Control Order is an emergency
measure designed to expedite decision regarding rents of houses. If Punjab Urban Rent
Restriction Act is enforced instead, the tenants will have to seek redress in the Civil Courts which will not only be
expensive but will take a long time to
arrive at a decision.
38
[f.13]Allotment
of Central Government Employees' Quarters to Staff of Total
Schools, etc.
[f.14]
234. Mr. Muhammad Azhar Ali : (a) Will the Honourable Member for Labour please slate if he is aware of the fact that the Public Works Department quarters specially built for the Central
Government employees are
allotted to the staff of the total schools and courts in preference to the Central Government servants of certain Departments ?
(b)
Is he aware that the purely temporary staff of the so-called " entitled offices " is given preference over the permanent staff of other offices who are drawing higher salaries
notwithstanding the toss of revenue
to Government ?
(c)
Is it a fact that sister offices of the same Department are treated differently ?
(d)
Is it a fact that the Railway clearing Accounts Office
was treated as non-entitled but that decision has since been
changed ?
(e)
Does the Honourable Member propose
to review the position and
take stops to treat all the Central Government offices alike ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar:
(a)
These quarters are meant for employees of
the Central Government and of the Total Administration of Delhi posted in New Delhi and Delhi and may be allotted to such employees working
in Schools and Courts.
(b) I am prepared to accept that the operation of the rules may have
led to the result suggested
by the Honourable Member.
(c)A
more liberal interpretation of the rules regarding offices entitled to
this accommodation has recently been
adopted and it is possible that as a result there may be some anomalies.
(d) Yes.
(e) I am prepared to examine the case of any particular office
brought to my notice, but do not propose to undertake a general review.
39
[f.15]Private
Houses leased by Government in Delhi
252.
Sardar Sant Singh: (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member kindly state the number of private houses leased by Government in the different areas in Delhi, e.g., New Delhi, Notified area, Karol Bagh, Darya Gunj, etc. separately ? (b) When
were the First and the last houses leased in each area ?
(a) Is
it a fact that all houses were leased before the winter season began ? If not, how many were leased after the beginning of the winter season ?
(b) On
what basis is the rent paid by Government to the owners of these buildings, how were the houses classified for purposes of allotment and how were they allotted according to that classification ?
(c) In
how many cases were persons eligible for a lower type allotted a higher type, and why ?
(d) How
is the rent charged for these houses from the allottees ? (g) Is it a fact that it
cannot be more than 10 per cent of their pay ? (h) When were the first and the last houses occupied in each area, separately, during 1942-43? (I) Is it
a fact that several houses are still vacant ?
(j) How much toss have Government incurred by the difference in payments to owners as a whole and the actual rents realised from the tenants ?
(k) How much toss have Government incurred by the houses remaining vacant for months ?
(l)
Was Government not aware of the probable demands ?
(m) Is it a fact that in certain cases rents paid to owners were more than the rents realised by them immediately prior to their leasing to Government ? If so, why, and who is
responsible for this toss and what action do Government
propose to take against the officers responsible for this ?
(n) What does Government propose to do for the next year ?
(o) Will they still require more houses on lease or will they release some out of those already leased ?
(p) Are Government prepared to
have an Enquiry Committee to
look into the leasing of
houses in the past to allay
any suspicion that Government
were put to unnecessary toss due to the negligence of officers and want of proper estimate of news ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
(a) and (b) A statement
containing the information asked for is laid on the table of the House.
(e) No.
Forty six houses were leased after the commencement of the winter season.
(f) Government have paid the fair rent as determined under the provisions of the New Delhi Rent Control Order, 1939.
Flats
in houses suitable for
allotment to officers were
classified as those suitable
for officers with wives and
families, and those suitable for officers with wives only and were allotted
accordingly in accordance with
the principle that the houses carrying higher rental were allotted to higher paid officers. Houses suitable for clerks were not classified and were allotted in accordance with the above mentioned principle.
(g) None. The houses were not divided into types but the principle higher rented accommodation for higher paid officer was
always followed in allotting
available houses.
(h) Rent is calculated in accordance with the rules and is recovered from the allottees at ten per cent of the emoluments or the full rent whichever is less.
(i)
Yes ; ten per cent of emoluments and not pay. (h), (j) and
(k) The information asked for is not readily available and its collection
would involve an amount of time
and Labour that would not be justifiable in war-time. It is
impossible that in a large housing estate all houses will be full all the timesome toss is bound
to occur from occasional vacancies and from the operation of the ten per cent rule.
(j)
None of the leased houses in New Delhi and Darya Gunj are vacant
and only four suites of accommodation
suitable for officers and
three suites of accommodation suitable for clerks are vacant in Karol Bagh.
(k) Government was fully aware.
(m) The rents paid were those Fixed by the Rent Controller. So far as is known, in cases
where houses had previously been
leased, these did not exceed rents previously paid. The latter parts of the question do not arise.
(n) and (o) Government is not in a position to
give a definite answer. It
is probable that Government will want more houses.
279.
No.
In view of my reply to other
parts of this question, this
does not seem to be necessary.
(a)
New Delhi |
122 |
Bungalows and flats |
Notified Area |
8 |
Bungalows |
Karol Bagh |
143 |
Flats
including accommodation suitable for clerks |
Darya Gunj |
34 |
Flats
suitable for clerks only. |
First
House Based on |
Last House based on |
|
(b)
New Delhi |
1-4-41 |
2-2-43 |
Notified Area |
1-6-41 |
31-12-42 |
Karol Bagh |
7-7-42 |
15-1-43 |
Darya Gunj |
15-8-42 |
25-10-42 |
Mr. Lalchand Navalrai : May I know why some of the houses are lying vacant; are they not required by officers and clerks ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar:
There must be some temporary reason of which I am not at present aware.
Mr.
Lalchand
Navalrai : Is there a demand
for more houses for clerks or officers, or not ? Or have
you got a full complement ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
I
must have notice of that question.
Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : Is it not a fact that Government had to provide so many
tents for the accommodation of officers and other people ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R.Ambedkar :
That is quite so.
Dr.
Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad :
This shows that sufficient number of houses are not available.
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
Yes.
40
[f.16]
Improvements in the Combined C Type Quarters
in New Delhi
279.
Sardar Sant Singh : (a) With reference to
the answer to part (f) of starred question No. 437, asked
on the 18th March, 1940, will the Honourable the Labour Member please state
what improvements in the combined C type orthodox quarters in New Delhi were
asked for in the representations received by Government, either through Tenants
Associations or from individual residents of such quarters ?
(l)
What
would have been the cost of all the additions and alterations asked for per quarter ?
(m) Have
any additions or alterations been made in any clerks or officers quarters in
New Delhi since the 18th March, 1940 ? If so,
which are the different classes of quarters in which such additions, etc., have been made ?
(n) What
was the amount of expenditure incurred on each different class of quarter so added to or
altered ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
:
(o) A
statement containing the information is laid on the table of the House.
(p) and
(d) The information is not readily available and its
collection would involve an amount of time and Labour that would not be justifiable in war
time.
(q) Yes.
Additions and alterations were made in A ,
B , C , D and E
type quarters.
Statement
(i)The kitchen, the bath and store
rooms at the existing sites be dismantled and new ones constructed in lieu thereof in the
open space in the courtyard between the latrines and bath room, and a long verandah be provided in front of all the three rooms.
(ii) A window may be provided in each of the rooms towards the
inner verandah to make the rooms well ventilated.
(iii) A window may be provided adjoining the outer entrance of
the first room.
(iv) A door may be constructed in the room on the other
extreme opening on the outer verandah.
(r) One
more water tap may be provided.
(vi)
A servant room.
(vii) An additional bath room with a window therein.
(viii)
Standard type ventilators in all the rooms and closing of the existing holes in the
ceiling.
(ix)
Wooden mantles in all the rooms without fire places.
(x) Wall almirahs in
all the rooms.
(xi)
Increasing the inner verandah accommodation, etc.
41
[f.17]Improvements
in the Combined C Type Quarters in New Delhi
280.
Sardar
Sant Singh : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state the cost
of making the following alterations in each combined C type orthodox quarter
in New Delhi :
281.
fitting
in of a window in the front room ;
(ii) provision of regular ventilators, like those provided in other types of quarters, in all the three rooms ;
(iii)
providing a pucca floor in the courtyard; and
(iv)
providing another window in the kitchen ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: Rs. 415 per quarter.
42
[f.18]Improvements in the Combined C Type Quarters in New
Delhi
282.
Sardar
Sant Singh: (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please slate whether it is a fact that all
D type
orthodox quarters in the D.I.Z.
Area, New Delhi, were provided with pucca floors in the courtyard in 1940 or 1941 ?
(b)
what is the number of such
quarters and other quarters in which this modification
was made ?
(c) What is the total
number of combined C type quarters which are totalled in the midst of these D type quarters ?
(d) What would have been the cost of providing pucca floors in all of these combined C type quarters ?
(e) What was the amount spent on all D
type quarters in
which this modification was
made ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) Yes.
(c) 60.
(d) Rs. 13,500 at present
day prices.
(e) Rs. 29,415.43
43
[f.19]
Inspection of Combined C Type Quarters in New Delhi
282.
Sardar Sant Singh : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please refer
to the answer to two supplementary questions to starred question No. 438 answered on the 18th March, 1940, in which the then Labour Member promised to inspect the
combined C type quarters in New Delhi, and stale whether he actually inspected these quarters ? If so, does he propose to lay on the table a copy of his report on the matter ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
No. The latter part of the question does not arise.
44
[f.20]
Improvements in D
Type Orthodox Quarters
in New Delhi
283. Sardar Sant Singh: (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state whether it is a fact that in 1940 when the galleries inside the D type orthodox quarters in the D.I.Z. Area, New Delhi, were covered, a suggestion was made that ventilators
provided in the walls of the
two rooms on either side of
the gallery should be of
glass case so that they might be closed ?
(b) Is it a fact that only wire
gauze ventilators with big holes were provided, instead of the old type glass-case ones, on the ground that the Health Officer, New Delhi, objected to the provision of the latter type of ventilators as being unhealthy ?
(c)
Is it a fact that it was proposed to cover up the open space between the bath room and lavatory in these quarters in order to provide shelter for storing fuel, etc. ?
(d) Is
it a fact that this covering
up was also objected to by
the Health Department, New Delhi ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) Yes.
( d) No.
Mr.
President (The Honourable Sir Abdul
Rahim) : The answers to the other
questions of Sardar Sant Singh
will be laid on the table.
45
[f.21]Inspection
of Combined C
Type Quarters in New Delhi
[f.22]284.
Sardar Sant Singh : (a) Will the Education
Secretary please state whether the Health Officer, New Delhi, was ever invited to inspect
the residential accommodation in New Delhi, and to see that all accommodation for living
purposes was provided with proper ventilation, etc. ?
(b) If the answer to (a) be in the affirmative, did this
officer ever inspect the combined C type
quarters in the D.I.Z. Area, New Delhi ?
(c)If
the answer to (b) be in the affirmative, did the said officer submit any report either to
the New Delhi Municipal Committee or to the Government of India about the suitability or unsuitability of
the rooms in those quarters for use as bed rooms, etc. ? If
so, does he propose to lay a copy of that report on the table of the House? If he did not submit any
report, why not ?
(d)If the Health Officer was never invited to
inspect these quarters, what were the reasons for not doing
so ? Is he prepared to issue instructions that these quarters are thoroughly inspected at an early date ? If not, why not ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar:
(a) No.
(b)
and (c) Do not arise.
(d) The design of these quarters was
approved by the Municipal Committee before they were constructed and Government have not
considered it necessary to have these quarters inspected by the Health Officer. I am however arranging to have these quarters inspected by the Health Officer.
46
[f.23]Transfer
to Lien to Allottees of Combined C Type Quarters in New Delhi
[f.24]
285. Sardar Sant Singh: (a) Will the Honourable the Labour
Member please state whether it is a fact that up to last year the allottees of the
combined C type quarters in New Delhi on
Maud, Ibbetson and Reading Roads, were allowed, on
application, to exchange their quarters with lien with the regular C type
quarters in Havetock Square, Baird
Road, Market Road, Irwin Road, etc., as and when such
quarters were available ?
(b) What was the longest period which it look to allot a
regular C type quarter to an allottee of
combined C type quarter in cases where such allottees asked for an exchange
from the very time of allotment of such combined quarters to them ?
(c)Will
the present allottees of such combined quarters be allowed to exchange with lien this year
? If not, why not ?
(d) What is the total number of quarters (regular
C type) in the squares and roads mentioned in (a) above which will fall
vacant this year due to the present allottees having to vacate them permanently for some
reason or other, like retirement or allotment of a higher
type of quarter ?
(e)Does he propose to see that at least the tenants of
these combined C quarters are allowed to exchange with lien if they so want ? If not, why ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
:
(a) Yes.
(b)
The information asked for is not readily available and its collection would involve an
amount of time and Labour that would not be justifiable in war time.
(c)and
(e) Yes. : the revised rules are being altered to allow of
this as soon as possible.
(d) The information cannot be given unless all applications for next summer and winter seasons are received in.
47
[f.25]
The War Injuries (Compensation Insurance) Bill
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
(Labour Member) : Sir, I move for leave to introduce a Bill
to impose on employers a liability to pay compensation to workmen sustaining war injuries and to provide for the insurance of employers against such
liability.
Mr.
President (The Honourable Sir Abdul
Rahim): The question is:
That leave be granted to introduce a Bill to impose on
employers a liability to pay compensation
to workmen sustaining; war injuries
and to provide for the insurance of employers
against such liability. The motion was adopted.
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
Sir, I introduce the Bill.
48
[f.26]
Dismissals of Instructors, etc., in the Technical Training Centre, Delhi Polytechnic
311.
Maulvi Syed Murtuza Sahib Bahadur: (a) Will the
Honourable the Labour Member
please refer to part (c) of the reply to unstarred question No. 75, on the 25th March 1942,
and stale the reason for frequent
dismissals of Instructors and Assistant Instructors in the Technical
Training Centre, Delhi Polytechnic, especially when there is an acute shortage of
skilled men ?
(b) Is it a fact that some Muslims have been discharged without any reason being assigned therefor ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: (a) Fourteen
Instructors have been discharged since the 1st April, 1942, 13 for inefficiency and one for political activity. (b) According to my information,
no.
49
[f.27]
Grievances of Employees in the Binding Department of the Government of India Press, New Delhi
312. Qazi Muhammad Ahmad Kazmi : (a) Will the Honourable the
Labour Member be pleased to state whether the entire employees of the Government of India Press, New Delhi, went on strike on the 1st and 2nd December, 1942 and that on the 2nd December,
1942, the Labour Secretary went there and was presented with six demands and that one of the demands was for the annual increment to the Binding Department and that the start of the salary
should be from Rs. 30 per mensem and that within the period of 20 years the salary should reach the maximum grade of Rs. 75 per mensem ?
(b) Is it or is it not a fact that the Binding Department since 1927 has been submitting questions and memorials to the Works Committee for an annual increment, and has been putting questions in the Assembly, and the Press Union has also submitted a
memorial ?
(b) Is
it or is it not a fact that people
are receiving a certain pay since the last 15/20 years and most
of them, after having paid
from their salaries the usual cuts, i.e., for
Fund, Society, Water, Quarters,
etc., receive only 10/12 rupees per month, with which it is not
possible for them to make ends meet easily ?
(d) Is it a fact
that the Union of the
Binding Department had submitted a memorial to the Secretary, Labour Department, in
November, 1942 in which it was laid down that until the annual increment is or forced, the employees of the
Binding Department should not
be retired before 25 years service and in this way they be compensated a little?
(e)Are Government prepared to retain the people in the Binding Department until they have put in 25 years service ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
(a) Yes, with the exception
of the supervising staff and a few other employees. The
question of the introduction
of a time-scale of pay in the bindery is receiving attention.
(b)
Yes.
(c) No.
(d)No. The Press Workers Union submitted a representation in November 1942. But it
does not contain the prayer as slated.
(e) No. No employee
is ordinarily required to
retire before he attains the age of 55 years.
50
[f.28]
Grievances of Employees in the Binding Department of the Government of India Press, New
Delhi
[f.29]313. Qazi Muhammad Ahmad Kazmi : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to
state if it is a fact that there are some persons in the Binding Department of the
Government of India Press, New Delhi, who are getting Rs.
30 per mensern ?
(b) Is it a fact that the office
mistakenly cut down their service and uptill now that
service has not been restored to them with the result that for years they are getting Rs.
30 per mensem though others
who are of less service are getting more, for instance those who used to get Rs. 22 and
Rs. 25 per mensem are at present getting Rs. 40 and Rs. 45
per mensem ?
(c)
Is it a fact that those whose services have been cancelled
have submitted a memorial to the Controller requesting him for the inclusion of their past
service in their present service ?
(d)Are Government prepared to include the service of those whose service has
been cancelled ? If so, is
it possible to make them senior to those who superseded
them ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar:
(a) Yes.
(b)
Condonation does not imply that the period previous to the break be counted as service for fixing the pay to be drawn after the break
and no mistake has been made.
(c)
No. (d) Does not arise.
51
[f.30]
Paucity of Muslim Engineers, etc. in the Central Public Works Department
319.
Khan Bahadur Shaikh Fazl-i-Haq Piracha:
(a) Will the Honourable Member for Labour please state, community-wise, the number
of Superintending Engineers, Executive Engineers and Sub-Divisional
Officers (gazetted and non-gazetted) employed in the Central Public Works Department
inclusive of the Aviation and Access Road Works ?
(b) Is it a fact that Muslims are under-represented in each of
the cadres mentioned above ? If so, what action do
Government propose to take to make up the under-representation
of Muslims ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) A statement is
placed on the table, (b) Yes. The under-representation of
Muslims is due to the fact that most of the appointments were made for Aviation works
which were urgent and important and required a large number of experienced and qualified officers. Owing to the Japanese threat to India, these officers were required at the shortest
notice, and appointments according to the strict communal roster would have led to delay
which would have been highly prejudicial to the defence of the country. All the
appointments in regard to which communal rules have not been observed, are temporary only,
and irregularities will be put right as soon as the present emergency ceases.
Designation
of Officers |
Europians |
Anglo-Indians |
Hindus |
Muslims |
Sikhs |
Indian
Christians |
Parsis |
Total |
Superintending
Engineers |
5 |
|
3 |
|
2 |
|
|
10 |
Executive
Engineers |
12 |
4 |
35 |
5 |
1 |
5 |
|
62 |
Sub-Divisional
Officers Gazetted (Assistant Executive Engineers |
1 |
5 |
25 |
6 |
2 |
4 |
|
43 |
Sub-Divisional
Officers Gazetted (Temporary Officers) |
- |
4 |
43 |
4 |
3 |
|
1 |
55 |
Sub-Divisional
Officers (Non-gazetted |
- |
3 |
124 |
23 |
22 |
1 |
|
173 |
Maulvi Syed Murtuza Sahib Bahadur : Are we to understand that when urgent appointments are made,
it is only the unfortunate, Muslim community that has to suffer ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar:
That is not the only unfortunate community; there are other communities
which are equally affected.
Maulvi Muhammad Abdul Ghani : Do Government propose to recruit Muslim officers from provinces if they
are found fit ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: Yes.
Mr.
Jamnadas M. Mehta : When the communal proportion is restored, will those who have already been appointed be dismissed ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar:
They are all temporary appointments.
Mr.
Jamnadas
M. Mehta : So they will be dismissed.
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
They are temporary. There is no question of dismissal.
Mr.
Jamnadas M. Mehta continued standing in his seat even after putting the question.
Mr.
President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim): When the Honourable Member has asked a question, he ought to resume his seat.
Mr.
Jamnadas M. Melita : I want
to ask another question. Sir. That means that those who came to your assistanceat the critical moment will be given a short
shrill?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar:
The appointments are temporary and there is no question of dismissal
or discharge.
Khan
Bahadur Shaikh Fazl-i-Haq Piracha :
What is the duration of these
temporary appointments ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: It
is quite impossible to say.
Khan
Bahadur Shaikh Fazl-i-Haq Piracha :
Is it not laid down in the
rules or in the resolution passed by the Government that any temporary appointment for three months and over should be made in accordance with the Resolution of the Government keeping in view the
percentages of various communities ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
All that must be subject to emergency.
52
[f.31]New
Assistant Estate Officers and Assistants to the Estate Officer
320. Khan Bahadur Shaikh Fazl-i-Haq Piracha: (a) Will
the Honourable Member for Labour please slate the number of the new posts of Assistant Estate Officers and Assistants to the Estate Officer created during the last two years ?
(b) Has any of the above posts
been given to a Muslim ? If not, why not ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar:
(a) Number of Assistant Estate
Officersthree ; number of Assistants to the Estate Officer one.
(b)
No.
Three of the posts were filled by selection and promotion from
among the Superintendents in the Chief Engineer's Office. This is the normal method of recruitment to these posts. No suitable Muslim Superintendent was available. The fourth post was filled by an Officer temporarily on
deputation from the Burma P.W.D.
Khan
Bahadur Shaikh Fazl-i-Haq Piracha:
May I know if Mr. Karim Baksh
was the senior most Superintendent at the time when these
posts were filled up ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar:
I
want notice.
Khan
Bahadur Shaikh Fazl-i-Haq Piracha:
May I know if Mr. Brown, Mr. Grant, Mr. Ellis, and Mr. Bronkhurst held the posts of
Superintendent ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
: I must have notice of
that.
Mr.
Muhammad Nauman : May I know
whether all enquiries were made, whether other people were efficient or not, and when the
Honourable Member wants notice for everything, he must have come here with proper replies if no Muslim was found fit ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
I have no doubt that proper enquiries must have been made.
Mr. Muhammad Nauman :
But the Honourable Member
has no information on that at least.
Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim) : That is not a question. Next question.
53
[f.32]
Contracts in Aviation Works
321. Khan Bahadur Shaikh Fazl-i-Haq
Piracha: (a) Will the Honourable
Member for Labour please state whether it is a fact that in the case of Aviation works it
has been the practice of Government to award contracts for emergency works by private
negotiations without calling for tenders ?
(b) What is the total value of contracts awarded by private
negotiations during the calendar year 1942 ?
(c) What is the total value of such contracts awarded by
private negotiations to Muslim contractors ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
:
The information asked for by the Honourable Member is being collected and will be laid on
the table in due course.
54
[f.33]
Grievances of the Staff of the Binding Department of the Government of India Press, New
Delhi
338. Qazi Muhammad Ahmad Kazmi : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to
state if it is a fact that as the annual increment is not given to the people of the
Binding Department of the Government of India Press, New Delhi, they wish to go to other
Departments when vacancies fall vacant there, but their applications are not forwarded ?
(b)
Is it or is it not a fact that some people were given a trial in which they were
successful, but they have not been provided with a situation until now ?
(c)
Is it or is it not a fact that many a time the Manager has been asked that until the
annual increment is enforced in the Binding Department, those who are already working in
that Department should be given a chance and situations should be provided for successful
candidates in preference to outsiders, but the Manager did not heed these requests ?
(d) Are Government prepared to take the successful candidates
in the ' Distributory ' section so that those who have passed the test may not
suffer?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar:
(a) No. Transfer of industrial employees from one establishment to another is governed by the National Service (Technical Personnel) Ordinance,
1940.
The
application of one warehouseman who applied last January for service in the Air Force was
in fact forwarded.
(b) One warehouseman qualified as a distributor in the test
held in 1941. As there were other candidates who had qualified earlier and as the post of
distributor does not lie in the ordinary range of promotion of warehousemen, the qualified
warehouseman was not appointed to the vacancies that occurred.
(c) The answer to the first
part is in the negative. The second part does not arise.
(d) The successful candidates will be considered for
distributors' posts in accordance with the rules.
Qazi
Muhammad Ahmad Kazmi :
As regards the answer to part (d) of the question may I know the position exactly as
regards those who had been given a trial and were found successful ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
As I said, there were other candidates who had
qualified earlier.
Qazi
Muhammad Ahmad Kazmi :
But as far as those persons who were found successful are concerned,
will their claims be considered ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar:
Certainly.
55
[f.34]Selection
Grade Posts in the Binding Department of the Government of India Press, New Delhi
339. Qazi Muhammad Ahmad Kazmi : (a) When selection posts have been announced in nearly all
the Departments of the Government of India Press, New Delhi,
will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state why no such selection grade
posts are given to the Binding Department ?
(b) Is it or is it not a fact that previously the strength of
the Binding Department was 50/60 persons and for the supervision of their work there was one foreman, one Jamadar and one Binding
Examiner, but now that the strength has increased to 135 persons, there are still only three persons in the supervisory rank ?
(c) Are Government prepared to
divide the Binding Department into two sections and provide one more Foreman, Jamadar and
Examiner ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar:
(a) There is a selection I post of Bindery and Warehouse Foreman in the Bindery of the Press.
(b) The previous strength was over sixty and there was only one supervisory
post of a Bindery Warehouse
Foreman. The present strength
in the Bindery is 107 including 20 temporary war
posts and there are now three persons in the supervisory rank.
(c)
No.
Qazi Muhammad Ahmad Kazmi : I did not quite catch the reply of the Honourable Member.
May I know whether he admits
the increase of numbers that I have given ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
Yes. I said that the present strength in the Bindery is 107.
Qazi
Muhammad Ahmad Kazmi:
With that increase, will the Honourable Member consider the advisability
of increasing the supervisory
staff in view of the increase in the number of the lower paid ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I will consider.
56
[f.35]
Grievances of the Piece Workers in the Machine Department of the Government of India Press, New Delhi
340. Qazi Muhammad Ahmad Kazmi : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state
whether or not it is a fact that there are several persons in the
Machine Department of the Government of India Press, New Delhi, who are employed on piece work and several on salary ?
(b) Is it a fact that all piece workers are not given an equal amount of work with
the result that some got more wages than others ?
(c)
Is it not a fact that officials show partiality and
favour to some in the allotment of work in such a
way that there is a very unequal distribution of wages and the wages of a large number of piece workers amount to very
little and do not suffice for their requirements and the maintenance of their families ?
(d) Do Government propose to consider the
advisability of giving equal
work to all, so that at the end of the month all should have a nearly equal amount of pay and thus
redress their grievances ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes.
(b) The answer to the first part is in the negative. The second part does not arise.
(c)
No.
(d)
This is actually done but equal work does not ensure equal earning. The attention of the Honourable Member is
invited to the reply to part (c) of starred
question No. 85 given in this House on 17th February 1941.
Qaxi
Muhammad Ahmad Kazmi:
May I know whether the Honourable Member has made an enquiry into the allegation that the actual distribution of the work at present does not give equal wages to the persons employed ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: The answer is based on enquiry.
57
[f.36]Annual
Election for the Works Committee of the Government of India
Press, New Delhi
341. Qazi Muhammad Ahmad Kazmi : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state if it is a fact that the annual election for the Works Committee of the Government of India Press, New Delhi,
which is held on 8th April, is not
properly conducted ?
(b) Is it or is it not a fact that the
voters are not called one by
one but all the voters gather together and stand in the room where the votes are received ?
(c)
Are Government prepared to make proper arrangements for
keeping the voters away from the clerk concerned, and to
allow only those to come forward who are called to give their votes ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
(a) and (b) No.
Qazi
Muhammad Ahmad Kazmi :
Did the Honourable Member make an enquiry as to the complaints that were made to the
polling officer at the time the votes were taken and satisfy himself that there were
complaints of the kind that I have made in the question ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
No. I will make enquiries if the necessity arises.
Qazi
Muhammad Ahmad Kazmi:
Now that I have put the question, will the Honourable Member be pleased to make an enquiry
whether it is a fact that the complaints that are made are correct ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
Yes.
58
[f.37]Fall
in Coal Output of Bengal and Bihar Coal Fields
349.
Mr. K. C. Neogy : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state if it is
a fact that the output of coal in the Bengal and Bihar coal fields
in the year 1942 was considerably less than that of the previous years ? If so, what were the percentages
separately of the decrease as compared to the output for the years 1939, 1940 and 1941?
What are the factors responsible
for this reduction in output ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
No. The output of coal in the Bengal and Bihar coal fields
for 1942 was very considerably above that for 1939. The peak year
to date has been 1940. There was a very slight drop in 1941 on the 1940 figures and a further slight drop in 1942. The total drop on
the 1940 figures is less
than one per cent.
As
the drop in production is so slight no detailed enquiry has
been held into its cause.
Mr.
K. C.
Neogy: Has any representation been made to the
Government of India by the trade interests on this
particular point, mentioning any grievance due to which
this drop might have occurred ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I
have no information as yet.
59
[f.38]Criterion
for Enlistment of Contractors in Central Public Works
Department
417.
Mr. Ananga Mohan Dam : Will the
Honourable the Labour Member please state the criterion for the enlistment of contractors
in the Central Public Works Department ? Is this enlistment
subject to any fee ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
Enlistment of contractors in the Central Public Works Department is made with due regard
to their financial status and their experience as evidenced
by the extent and quality of the works previously executed by them. In the case of firms,
registration under Indian Partnership Act, 1932, is also insisted upon as an essential
condition. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative.
60
[f.39]Muslims
in the Offices and the Subordinate Engineering Services of the Central Public Works
Department
418.
Maulvi Muhammad Abdul Ghani: Will the Honourable Member for Labour please state :
(a)
the total strength of the class I and Class II Officers and the Subordinate Engineering
Services of the Central Public Works Department.
(b) the strength of Muslims in
each of the categories given in part (a) ; and (c) what steps have been taken so far to make up the deficiency, if any ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
(a) Class 1122. Class II63.
Subordinate
Engineering Service1179. (b) Class 114. Class
II4.
Subordinate
Engineering Service202.
(c)
Attention of the Honourable Member is invited to the answer given to part (b) of the starred question No. 319 on the 16th March 1943.
61
[f.40] Proposed Retrenchment Scheme for
Engineering Establishment of the Central Public Works Department
419. Maulvi Muhammad Abdul Ghani: Will the Honourable Member
for Labour please state if a retrenchment scheme for the Engineering Establishment of the Central Public Works Department is under contemplation ? If so, will Muslim
employees be affected by it even if their strength is short of 25 per cent of the total strength ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
Not at present. The second part of the question
does not arise.
62
[f.41]Muslim
Lino Operators, Mono Operators, etc., in the Government of India Press, Calcutta
420. Hajee Chowdhury Muhammad Ismail
Khan : (a) Will the
Honourable the Labour Member please state the number of Lino Operators, Mono operators, Mono Casters and forme carriers in the Government of India, Press, Calcutta, and how many
of them are Muslims ?
(b) What is the total number of appointments made in these grades during the last three years, and how many Muslims were appointed in each of these grades?
(c) What steps have been taken to appoint Muslims in these posts ? (d) Does the Honourable Member propose to place on the table of the House a detailed statement showing the figures, community-wise, in regard to posts of
clerks and copy-holders in permanent and temporary employ in
the Government of India
Press, Calcutta ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
: (a), (b) and (d). A statement is laid on the table.
(c)
Orders regarding communal
representation in the services are being followed in the Government of India Presses.
Statement
Post
(Permanent) |
Number |
No.
of Muslims |
Lino
Operators |
6 |
2 |
Mono
Operators |
6 |
1 |
Mono
Casters |
10 |
|
|
|
|
Permanent |
12 |
Nil |
Temporary |
10 |
Nil |
Statement showing the total number of appointments made in the posts of Lino Operators, Mono Operators, Mono Casters and Forme
Carriers in the Government of India Press, Calcutta, in 1940, 1941 and 1942.
|
|
|||
|
1940 |
1941 |
1942 |
|
Lino
Operators Mono
Operators Mono
Casters |
Nil |
Nil
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
||
Total Number
|
Hindus
|
Muslim |
Anglo Indian |
Indian Christian |
||
|
Scheduled
Caste |
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Permanent |
43 |
31 |
1 |
10 |
1 |
Nil |
Temporary |
7 |
5 |
Nil |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34 |
23 |
Nil |
5 |
2 |
Nil |
|
Temporary |
4 |
3 |
Nil |
1 |
Nil |
Nil |
5 |
2 |
Nil |
2 |
Nil |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
63
[f.42]Muslim
Executive Engineers in the Central Public Works Department
421. Maulvi Muhammad Abdul Ghani : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state how
many Executive Engineers have been taken in from the various Provinces in the Central
Public Works Department during the last two years and how many of them are Muslims ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar:
Twenty-two, of whom two were Muslims. Three, including one Muslim, have been since
reverted.
64
[f.43]
Temporary Buildings in New Delhi
422.
Sir F. E. James : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state:
(a)
whether his attention has been drawn to the notice erected
near certain temporary buildings in course of construction in Connaught
Place, intimating that these buildings are to be demolished immediately after the war; and
(b) if the same condition applies to the temporary buildings
erected on Queens way ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar:
(a) Yes.
(b) All the buildings have been constructed
as temporary buildings. The intention is that they shall be pulled down as soon as may be
after the conclusion of the war, though no final decision has yet been taken.
Sir
F. E. James: Will the Honourable Member explain the
difference between immediately after the war and ' as soon
as may be ', because some of the buildings in Connaught
Place are placarded as ' to be demolished immediately after the war ' ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I
do not think the placard makes any difference.
Mr. Lalchand Navalrai : Why should they be
demolished and not used for some other purpose ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
As I said, no final decision has yet been taken.
65
[f.44]
Paucity of Muslim Officers in the Printing and Stationery
Establishment under Labour Department
423.
Maulvi Syed Murtuza Sahib Bahadur : Will the Honourable Member for Labour be pleased to state
whether the Controller of Printing and Stationery, the Deputy Controller, Stationery, the
Assistant Controller, Printing, the Assistant Controller, Stationery, and the Assistant
Secretary and the Superintendent of the Printing Branch in the Labour Department are all
non-Muslims ? If so, what steps do Government propose to
take to give due representation to Muslims in these posts ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative except that the present
Superintendent of the Stationery and Printing Branch in the Labour Department is a Muslim.
All posts mentioned in the question are ordinarily filled by promotion on merit and the
communal representation rules do not apply to cases of promotion to selection posts. In
the case of appointments to be made subject to communal considerations
the rules are and will be followed. Government do not
consider that any other steps are necessary.
Maulvi
Syed Murtuza Sahib Bahadur : May I ask the Honourable
Member if it is a fact that when two incumbents of the same qualifications were in the
field, a Muslim was appointed on Rs. 50 and a non-Muslim
of the same qualification was appointed on Rs. 200.
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I
have no information.
Maulvi
Syed Murtuza Sahib Bahadur:
Will you kindly make inquiries.
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I
will make inquiries.
66
[f.45]
Paucity of Muslim Officers in Printing and Stationery Establishment under Labour Department
424.
Maulvi Syed Murtuza Sahib Bahadur : (a) Will the
Honourable Member for
Labour be pleased to state
the number of Muslim gazetted officers in the office of the Controller of Priming and Stationery, the Central Stationery Office, Calcutta, the Central Publication Branch, and the various Government of' India Presses ?
(b) Is it a fact that the post of Assistant
Controller in the office of the Controller, Printing and Stationery,
has ever since its creation been held either by Bengali Hindus or Christians and a Muslim has never been considered for this appointment ? If so, why ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
(a) Two. One in the Forms Press, Calcutta and
the other in the Government
of India Press, New Delhi.
(b) The answer to the first part is in the negative. As regards the
second part, I may say that this post is filled by promotion and not by direct recruitment. There has never been any Muslim senior enough to be considered.
Maulvi
Syed Murtuza Sahib Bahadur : In this connection may I ask the
Honourable Member if it is
a fact that the Muslim appointed
on Rs. 50 having found no prospects
of being promoted got himself transferred to Bengal where he is getting Rs. 225 and the man who was appointed on Rs. 200 is now getting
Rs. 350 and the claim of the Muslim who is already senior and also drawing Rs.
250 has been overlooked ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
I have no information but if
my Honourable friend so desires,
I can make inquiries.
Maulvi
Syed Murtuza Sahib Bahadur:
Will you kindly make inquiries ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar:
Yes.
67
[f.46]
Paucity of Muslim Officers in Printing and Stationery Establishments under Labour Department
425.
Maulvi Syed Murtuza Sahib Bahadur : Will the Honourable Member for Labour be pleased to state : (a) the present strength of the Assistant Managers of the various Government of India Presses and how many of them are
Muslim ?
(b) the number of Muslim Assistants and
clerks, separately, in the Printing Branch of the
Labour Department, and in the Administration Branch of the office of the Controller of Printing and
Stationery ; and
(c) the number of Muslim
Superintendents in the office
of the Controller of
Printing and Stationery and in the Publication
Branch ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
(a) Three. One of them is a Muslim.
(b) In the Stationery and Printing Branch of the Labour Department there is one Muslim
Assistant and in the Administrative and Finance Branch of the Controller's Office one Assistant and one clerk.
(c)
None.
68
Discrimination
Between Muslim and Non-Muslim Apprentices in the Printing and Stationery Department
426.
Maulvi Syed Murtuza Sahib Bahadur : (a) Will the Honourable Member for Labour be pleased to
state whether it is a fact that suitable men are trained as apprentices in the Printing
and Stationery Department of the Government of India?
(b) Are these persons eligible for appointment to higher
posts in the various presses ?
(c) Is it a fact that one such apprentice, Mr. B. C. Sen Gupta, has been
appointed in the Government of India Press, New Delhi, on Rs.
200 per mensern and another such apprenticea
Muslimwas not given any suitable job and had ultimately to get himself transferred
to the Government Press, Calcutta, as Assistant Manager ?
(d) If the reply to part (c) is in the affirmative, what are the reasons for such discrimination ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
:
(a) Yes.
(b)
Yes, they are eligible, but have no specific claim.
(c)
Mr. Sen Gupta was initially appointed by mistake on the old scale of Rs. 200-10-250. On
discovery of the mistake he was brought on to the proper new scale starting at Rs. 100.
The
Muslim was appointed in the proper new scale starting at Rs. 100.
Since
then both have been promoted.
(d)
Does not arise.
Maulvi
Syed Murtuza Sahib Bahadur : May I know if both of them
have been promoted to the same scale of salary ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
I should think so.
69
[f.48]
Repair of Machines of the Government of India Press, New Delhi
427.
Maulvi Syed Murtuza Sahib Bahadur : (a) Will the Honourable Member for Labour be pleased to
state the amount of expenditure incurred on the total repair of machines of the Government
of India Press, New Delhi ?
(b) Is it a fact that there is a mechanical section in the
said Press ? If so why are the repairs not carried out
there ?
(c) Is it a fact that the Head Mechanic personally gets the
parts repaired in the city, and the letter to the firm undertaking repairs never gives
instructions regarding the nature of the repairs but simply states that these will be
explained by the Head Mechanic ? If so, why are the full
details of the repairs not given in the letter to the firm
undertaking the repairs ?
The
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
:
(a) The total amount spent on total repairs to plant during 1942-43 is Rs. 1,177-2-0.
(b)
The answer to the first part is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, only such
work is entrusted to an outside agency as cannot be done in the Press. (c) No.
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