370 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
the law. I would like to know whether the amendment of clause 2 as drafted by me docs come under the Law.
Mr. President : I am not clear as to what the Honourable Member is driving at.
Mr. Vadilal Lallubhai : The Honourable Member said that the law did not provide for exemption. If he reads my amendment to clause 2 he will see that there is no legal bar. I would like to know whether it is because that there is a legal bar that he wants to oppose my amendment or there are other reasons.
Mr. President : I believe the Honourable Member has clarified the position sufficiently in his speech. I do not think there can be any doubt on the question. He said that the legal bar was one argument. There was a further argument also that, in his opinion, whatever is necessary will be done by the Government. Am I right ?
The Honourable Dr. B.R. Ambedkar : Yes, Sir.
*Mr. President : Amendment moved :
“That in Clause 4 of the Bill, for the words ‘ten and a half hours or where the factory is seasonal one, eleven and a half ’, the word ‘twelve’ be substituted”.
The Honourable Dr. B.R. Ambedkar : Sir, I am afraid I am opposed to this amendment. There are two objections which I see. One objection is a general one. The Honourable Mover of this amendment seems to hold the opinion that if employers in any particular industry have devised a particular plan of employing their labour in their factories, then the law ought to be so framed that it would suit the practice that is prevalent. That is a position which I am not prepared to accept. Many employers may devise many means that may be primarily in the interests of the employers and I think it would be wrong on the part of the State to accept the obligation that in whatever legislation they may propose, the legislation should be made to suit the practice, and that the law should not alter the practice if it is found that the practice is bad. That is my first argument why I am unable to accept this amendment.
*Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), 4th April 1946, p. 3532.