L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 565
Mr. Muhammad Nauman : Will the Government make enquiries and find out whether the allegation is correct ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I cannot commit myself to making enquiries, which will require additional staff and time which Government may not be able to spare. v
Mr. Muhammad Nauman : The Government ought to have had this information since three years have elapsed.
Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Adur Rahim) : The Honourable Member is expressing an opinion.
Dr. Sir Ziauddin Ahmad : May I ask if the dearness allowance mentioned in this question will be extended to other departments of the Government of India, especially post office ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : This question should be addressed to the appropriate department.
Dr. Sir Ziauddin Ahmad : This question refers to railways, but my Honourable friend has taken up this question as one concerning labour. I should like to know whether the labour conditions mentioned with regard to railways will be extended to labour conditions in other departments ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I think there has been an increase in dearness allowance given to all employees in the Government of India.
Mr. Muhammad Nauman : With reference to part (d), may I know whether Government have taken any pains to compare the control rates at which they are selling now and the rates at which the commodities were being sold in 1939 and 1940 ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : It is quite unnecessary to make any such comparison of percentage at all.
Mr. Muhammad Nauman : Otherwise, you do not know what percentage of dearness allowance should be given.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : It is sufficient for Government purposes to know that there is an increase. In that case they may consider whether or not to increase the allowance.
Qazi Muhammad Ahmad Kazmi: What are the places where the rise in prices is the lowest ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I want notice.