THE FACTORIES (SECOND AMENDMENT) BILL 271
remember that this subject of labour legislation falls in the field of Concurrent Legislation. The administrative responsibility for carrrying out these measures entirely falls on the Provincial Governments, in which the executive authority for administration is vested by the Constitution. Having regard to that, there has been established a convention, viz., that as far as this Concurrent field of legislation goes, whatever measures are introduced, should have more or less the concurrence of the Provincial Governments. And I would like to tell the House that the period that is fixed in the Bill was fixed after consultation with the provinces. However, I am prepared to accept the amendment and I would very much like to state the reason which has prevailed upon me in order to accept this amendment. The reason which has prevailed upon me is the geographical reason. I realise that the centres of industry and the centres of population arc very vastly divided by long distances. A factory is situated in Bombay, the labourer lives either in the U. P. or C. P. and has to travel long distances in order to employ himself in a useful occupation. Having regard to this circumstances, viz., that he has to travel long distances, I think that perhaps a small departure may be made from the original proposal that stands in the Bill. It is therefore on that ground that I am prepared to accept this amendment. At the same time, I must stipulate one other condition. I find that there is another amendment standing in the name of Prof. Ranga and Mrs. Subbarayan, the object of which is to reintroduce the words “at least”, which were omitted by the Select Committee. Now, the introduction of these words “ at least” would create disharmony and I must say that I regard uniformity of principle in a matter of this kind to be of fundamental importance and my position therefore is that if those who have tabled this amendment will agree to drop it. I on my part, am prepared to accept the amendment for ten days.
Prof. N. G. Ranga (Guntur cum Nellore: Non-Muhammedan Rural): We are prepared to drop the other amendment, for the present.
Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim): You are not going to press the motion ?
Prof. N. G. Ranga : Not the other amendment, Sir.
Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim): The question is :
“That in clause 3 of the Bill, in sub-sections (I) and (2) of the proposed section 49B for the word ‘seven’ the word ‘ten’ be inserted”.