580 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : It is not possible to undertake any such legislation during the war period.
Mr. N. M. Joshi: May I ask what is the difficulty created by the war period to undertake legislation of this kind ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : It is a controversial legislation.
Mr. Hooseinbhoy A. Lalljee : Has any attempt been made to find out the cost of living or the Index number ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : There is only one province where Index numbers arc framed, namely, Bombay.
N. M. Joshi: May I ask whether Government realises that the Act prohibiting the strikes and lock-outs is a step which necessitates a dispute and whether such a necessity of creating a dispute the war time is in the interests of war effort ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I do not think the premise is correct.
Mr. N. M. Joshi : May I ask which part of the premise is correct.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The fact that we have on the statute book a legislation does not necessarily involve that it will give rise to disputes as mentioned by the Honourable Member.
Mr. N. M. Joshi: May I ask whether the Government docs not realise.
Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim): That is arguing.
Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : Will the Government try to find out the price Index of bigger towns having a population of more than 200,000 ? This information is rather important for us.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Unless we have an Act which enables the Government to collect statistics, it is not possible to have Index numbers prepared throughout India.
Mr. N. M. Joshi : May I ask whether the Honourable Member is aware that there is an Act of the Central legislature which enables the Government to collect statistics ?
Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim): Next question.