254 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
[At this stage, Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim) resumed the chair.]
But how they could have been ratified and even advanced by those who are primarily responsible for the protection and the well being of the common people it passes our comprehension.
Sir I should like to have the support of the House, of all Members— either on this side of the House or on the other,—of all Parties, including the Government, because this is a legitimate demand the infringing of which leads to the infringing of one of the most elementary canons of human decency.
Sir, I move.
Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim): Cut motion moved:
“That the demand under the head “Department of Labour” be reduced by Rs. 100.”
Some Honourable Members : The question be now put.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : With regard to this cut motion, it is difficult within the short time that is at my disposal to deal with it adequately. I would begin by saying that the last time when this question was debated on an adjournment motion, I made the statement that in taking the decision which the Government of India took I felt very unhappy about it. And I am still very unhappy about it. But the circumstances are such that it is impossible to take any other action than what we took. If the House will bear with me for a few minutes…….
Some Honourable Members : No, no.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : ……I would tell the House the relevant circumstances which forced our hands in this matter.
I should like to begin by stating to the House what the position with regard to coal was ? In the year 1941 the total raising were 29,381,000 tons. In 1942 they fell to 29,270,000 and in 1943, the critical year in which we were forced to lift this ban, the total production of coal had fallen to 23,753,000. The House will at once realise that within a year there was a fall of something like 6,628,000 tons. It is unnecessary for me to dilate on the fact that coal is one of the most important raw materials both for industry as well as for the war effort. It was