L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 617
of the Government of India Press, New Delhi, went on strike on the 1st and 2nd December, 1942 and that on the 2nd December,
1942, the Labour Secretary went there and was presented with six demands and that one of the demands was for the annual increment to the Binding Department and that the start of the salary should be from Rs. 30 per mensem and that within the period of 20 years the salary should reach the maximum grade of Rs. 75 per mensem ?
(b) Is it or is it not a fact that the Binding Department since 1927 has been submitting questions and memorials to the Works Committee for an annual increment, and has been putting questions in the Assembly, and the Press Union has also submitted a memorial ?
(c) Is it or is it not a fact that people are receiving a certain pay since the last 15/20 years and most of them, after having paid from their salaries the usual cuts, i.e., for Fund, Society, Water, Quarters, etc., receive only 10/12 rupees per month, with which it is not possible for them to make ends meet easily ?
(d) Is it a fact that the Union of the Binding Department had submitted a memorial to the Secretary, Labour Department, in November, 1942 in which it was laid down that until the annual increment is enforced, the employees of the Binding Department should not be retired before 25 years’ service and in this way they be compensated a little ?
(e) Are Government prepared to retain the people in the Binding Department until they have put in 25 years’ service ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes, with the exception of the supervising staff and a few other employees. The question of the introduction of a time-scale of pay in the bindery is receiving attention.
(b) Yes.
(c) No.
(d) No. The Press Workers Union submitted a representation in November 1942. But it does not contain the prayer as stated.
(e) No. No employee is ordinarily required to retire before he attains the age of 55 years.