L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 563
Mr. Govind V. Deshmukh : In view of the fact that the ‘ Bevin boys ’ return to India after obtaining proper training in England, where is the necessity for testing them again ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R . Ambedkar: Most of the employers would not accept the word of the Government of India that they were trained, and the employer would like to satisfy himself that the man whom he is employing is properly trained. We cannot prohibit the employer from doing so.
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*** Depreciation in Labour Wages**
27. Mr. Amarendra Nath Chattopadhyaya: (a) Will the Honourable Member for Labour be pleased to state if he has ascertained the exact depreciation in wages in proportion to the increase in value of food-stuff and textile commodities and general cost of living ? If so, what is the ratio ?
(b) Is it not a fact that the dearncss allowance and wartime bonuses granted to Railway workers is not sufficient to make up for the proportional fall or depreciation in wages ?
(c) If the answer to part (b) be in the affirmative, does the Honourable Member propose to reconsider the matter of wages of labour on the Railways and increase their wages to an amount which would be sufficient?
(d) Do Government propose, during the war period, to set up food and cloth stores for supplying Railway labour with these commodities at prices commensurate with their present income and if it proves satisfactory to continue the arrangement as a permanent measure ?
(e) Will the Honourable Member be pleased to make a comparative statement of wages paid to the Railway labour in Government controlled Railways, in private Railways (i.e. Company-managed and private State Railways) and in textile mills, jute mills and the iron and steel factories in India, and also their hours of work in a week ?
- Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. III of 1942, 15th September 1942, pp. 115-17.