L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 1071
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 expantion 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.