L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 719
153
*** Coal Position**
- Sir F. E. James : Will the Honourable Member for Labour be pleased to state:
(a) the latest position regarding coal production in India, and whether there has been any increase or reduction in raisings since the 1st December 1943; and, if so, to what extent;
(b) If he is aware that a number of colliery are not working at all or not working to full capacity;
(c) what steps, with a special reference to the provision of labour, foodgrains, mechanisation and taxation adjustments;
(d) what steps are being taken;
(i) to deal with recalcitrant colliery owners who are deliberately refraining from producing the maximum possible; and
(ii) to ensure the efficient distribution of coal, and to prevent its going into the black market, and
(e) whether Railway collieries are working to full capacity; and if not, why not ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Coal production has recently shown some improvement. Raisings in December 1943, showed an increase of over 20 per cent over November. January figures are not yet available; but it is believed that there has been a still further increase.
(b) Government are not aware of any mines which can be safely and economically worked and which have been closed down. A number of mines have not been able to work to full capacity due to shortage of labour or machinery or to their workings having become flooded during the last monsoon.
(c)(i) A Government labour force up to 10,000 men is being established in the Bengal and Bihar coalfields initially for work on quarrying or loading coal. It is hoped that after some experience it will work underground. The first 1,000 men have already arrived. A force of 1,000 men have also been provided temporarily by the military for coal loading. Government labour has also been provided for railway
- Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1944, 10th February 1944, pp.
205-7.