INDIAN MINES (AMENDMENT) BILL 325
should be provided was put before the Committee and I would like to tell the House that in this Committee there arc not only representatives of trade unions, but there arc representatives actually of workmen and workwomen. There is one representative of actual coal miners and there is one representative of women miners and it is with their unanimous assent that Government decided to have shower baths.
So far as I am able to see, I should have thought that a shower bath would be far more effective in the matter of cleaning the person of a worker in coal mines than immersion in water or holding oneself under a running tap. I may also further add that this decision of having shower baths was taken by Government as a result of the experience of Messrs. Tata Iron and Steel Co. Ltd., at their colliery in Digboi. These shower baths have been in existence for a considerable time there and to our great satisfaction we found mat the workers were making very good use of the shower baths and that they had no sort of objection at all. With regard to the question of soap, I can give the assurance to the House that we do intend to provide soap to every miner under certain regulations, and I think the House need have no anxiety on that account.
I hope this will satisfy Honourable Members. An Honourable Member said that this is merely a declaration and that there is no penalty. If the Honourable Member concerned were to refer to section 39, he will find that that is a general penalty clause which imposes penalties.
Prof. N. G. Ranga : There is only one little difficulty in regard to women. They do not want their hair also to be washed with mere water ; they may require oil or something.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: They may be provided with caps.
Mr. Deputy President: The question is
“That the Bill further to amend the Indian Mines Act 1923, be taken into consideration.”
The motion was adopted.
Clause 2 and 3 were added to the Bill.
Clause 1 was added to the Bill.
The Title and the Preamble were added to the Bill.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Sir, I move.
“That the Bill be passed.”
The motion was adopted.
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