L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 1005
employed on the surface on a permanent basis, and how many with six days employment in the week; and
(c) how many of these women have come to be employed by the Welfare Fund mentioned in answer to starred question No.
466, dated the 25th, February, 1946 and how many by Provincial Governments ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Exact figures are not available but approximately 50 per cent of the women workers withdrawn from underground in coal mines have been provided with work on surface. Of the remaining 50 per cent about half have gone to their villages while some of the remainder are sitting down at collieries because they are refusing contract work, e.g. coal loading.
(b) All women withdrawn from underground in the State Railways’ Collieries have been fully employed on surface works on a permanent basis; 1,060 women employed on six days per week basis.
(c) No women have yet been employed by the Welfare Fund but sites are being requisitioned for the establishment of vegetable gardens and farms in the Jharia and Raniganj Coalfields and after requisition it is intended that women excluded from underground works will be employed under Head “Malis” appointed by Welfare Fund. The number of women which will be employed by the Provincial Governments is not known at present.
Prof. N. G. Ranga : In regard to the women who are obliged to stay at home because they do not like to work under the terms of contract work, what steps do Government propose to take in order to help these women with some employment without the mediation of these contractors ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I cannot give an off hand answer.
Prof. N. G. Ranga : Why do Government fail to provide work without the mediation of these contractors ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : This practice has been going on for a long time in State railway collieries.
Prof. N. G. Ranga : Is it not a fact that the Royal Commission on Labour reported very strongly against the system of contractors. Will the Honourable Member devise some system to control the vagaries of these contractors ? Do not Government take urgent steps