666 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
(d) Is it a fact that about 30 collieries in the Kajora field in the Province of Bengal with a raising of approximately over ten lakhs of tons a year, are going to be shut down for want of wagon facilities due to the military authorities using the portion of the line serving these collieries, although it is possible to carry the military goods from the Ondal Junction by the military lorries ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) No. The second part of the question does not arise.
(b) The stock figures reported to exist on the 31st December,
1942, are not reliable. Improved methods of collecting figures of stocks have since been introduced. It is believed that stocks have not deteriorated but increased between 31st December,
1942, and 31st May, 1943.
(c) Answer to the first part is in the affirmative. Answer to the second part is in the negative.
(d) No. Kajora field is worked by several pilots. It is presumed that the question refers particularly to the area worked by Okhra Nos. 1 and 2 Pilots. Approximately 30 collieries are worked by these two Pilots. The capacity for coal of these two Pilots is 100 wagons which represents approximately 2,000 tons of coal per day or 7,20,000 tons per annum. Both these Pilots have been getting preferential suplies of wagons as they have large orders from B and A Railway. With the wagon position as at present prevailing in the Bengal and Bihar fields, it is extremely unlikely that even if the capacities of these Pilots were increased the collieries would get more than 100 wagons a day. For the Military Depot 20 wagons in the capacity of Okhra No. 2 Pilots have been provided, but as explained above this arrangement is not likely to cause these collieries to shut down. The Government of India are not aware whether the military can carry goods from Ondal Junction by military lorries.
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- Concessions re Oil Resources in British India to British or American Firms
- Mr. K. C. Neogy : Will the Honourable Member for Labour be pleased to refer to starred question No. 441, dated the 30th March,
1943, and lay on the table a statement giving the names of British or
- Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. III of 1943, 2nd August 1943, p. 287.