L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 593
(b) Is the Honourable Member aware that the Joint Mica Mission raised the standards considerably, compared to those of the Metal Reserve Company who bought through the Director, Geological Survey of India ?
(c) Arc Government aware that the Joint Mica Mission has reduced its purchasing prices by 10 per cent to 30 per cent from the ruling prices in the market and the factories are compelled to sell their products at their rates for want of any other outlet ?
(d) Is it a fact that the Government of India accepted the reduction in prices as mentioned in part (c) above ?
(c) Arc Government prepared to appoint an advisory committee consisting of representatives of mine-owners and factory-owners to advise the Joint Mica Mission on the question of fixation of prices of different qualities ? If not, why not ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Before fixing the prices of various grades of mica, the Joint Mica Mission have invariably consulted the mica industry, including representatives of individual firms both in Bihar and Madras.
(b) The Joint Mica Mission has not raised the standards considerably. It has however raised the standards slightly in certain cases although no change has been made in splittings and films. Wherever the standard has been raised the price has been raised in proportion. Taking pre-Mission standard and price as 100, the Mission standard where it has been raised is 105 and the Mission price 110. The range of standards required by the Metals Reserve Company when buying through the Director of the Geological Survey of India was small compared with the very wide range of scheduled standards being dealt with by the Mission.
(c) The Joint Mica Mission has not reduced its purchasing prices by 10 per cent to 30 per cent.
(d) Does not arise.
(e) No. The prices offered by the Mission were fixed after consultation with the representatives of the mica industry and with the approval of the Government of India. They are in the opinion of the Government of India fair prices and the Government of India see no justification for the appointment of an Advisory Committee.