L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 1003
(d) The grievances are receiving attention. Attention of the Honourable Member is invited in this connection to the reply given to the starred question No. 896, on the 12th March, 1946.
Prof. N. G. Ranga : With reference to part (b) of this question, how many hundreds of these workers are being paid only 12 or
14 or 15 rupees per month ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I am afraid I have not got the facts here.
Prof. N. G. Ranga : Is it one of the proposals of the Government to increase the salaries of these people who are so low paid ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : My Honourable friend knows that the Government has appointed a salaries commission which look into this case generally.
Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : Is the Honourable gentleman aware of the fact that the University of Aligarh pays a minimum salary of Rs. 30 per month to the low paid staff?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I congratulate my Honourable friend on that.
Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : It is no question of congratulation to me or condolance to you—this is the minimum standard for living—we cannot starve our own employees.
Prof. N. G. Ranga : Why is it necessary for the Government to wait until that particular commission reports about the salaries in general of all employees and servants in the Government of India, before they can think of increasing these pitiful salaries of 12 and 14 and 15 rupees per month ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The Government’s intention is that they should have a general policy based on some uniform principle, and that policy cannot certainly be brought into execution unless the matter has been examined by a Commission.
Seth Govind Das : By what date is the report of this Commission bring in ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I am unable to say but Government propose to expedite this matter.
Seth Govind Das : By that time these people will be starving. Docs Government think that till then these people should go on getting this 12 or 14 or 15 rupees per month ?