NEED FOR IMMEDIATE RE-IMPOSITION..... IN MINES 259
have my own opinion about him. I do not think we ought to exchange them on the floor of the House.
The question has been asked as to why we are keeping these women underground ? There arc three reasons for it. First of all, it has got to be realised that in the situation in which we are placed the woman underground cannot be treated as a single unit by herself. She is a potential. If she goes……
Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim) : The Honouable Member’s time is up.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I have not spoken for more than 20 minutes.
The first consequence will be that if she leaves the coal mine, the coal cutter will also leave the coal mine and there would be a further deterioration in the situation. The second consequence will be that if she does not work, there will be more absenteeism in the coal mines. And thirdly that there would be a further reduction in the number of coal cutters because some cutters will have to do the work of loaders, a work which women now do. As a matter of fact, the argument that has been sometimes urged that the women have not been able to produce more coal is not correct and I would like to draw the attention of the House……
Several Honourable Members : The Honourable Member’s time is up.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : As I said, we have no intention to keep women underground for a minute longer than is absolutely necessary. As the House is aware, we have taken several measures in order to meet the situation. We have imported Gorakhpur labour, we have imported machinery, and we have done several other things.
(It being Five of the Clock).
Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abudr Rahim): The question is:
“ That the demand under the head ‘Department of Labour’ be reduced by Rs. 100.”
The motion was adopted.
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