L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 729
(b) Is it a fact that women labour in coal mines in India was abolished under popular pressure ?
(c) Is it a fact that Mr. Amery, Secretary of State for India, evaded the question put to him recently in the House of Commons, as to whether women labourers were paid the same wages as men, and whether they were working under ground ?
(d) Does the Honourable Member propose to make a statement on the two points referred to in (c) above ?
(e) Is it a fact that man labour for coal mines is available in India ? If so, why is not that labour being utilized instead of women labour ?
(f) Is it a fact that the women are employed because they work harder and are satisfied with little, though their health suffers and their families are broken ? If not, what are the special reasons to re-engage women instead of men ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Women labourers are now allowed to work underground in coal mines in the Central Provinces and Berar, Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
(b) It has been for many years the deliberate policy of the Government of India that women labour should not be allowed to be employed underground in coal mines in India. Provision to this end was made in the Indian Mines Act, 1923. In 1929 women began to be excluded from underground workings and the process was complete in 1937.
(c) I have no information.
(d) No. I made a statement on these two points in answering the adjournment motion moved by Mrs. Renuka Ray on 8th February.
(c) Women have been allowed to work underground owing to the severe shortage of male labour. As soon as there is an assured male labour force sufficient to raise the quantity of coal required by Government, Government will consider reimposing the ban on the employment of women underground. Government are taking immediate steps to import male labour into Bengal and Bihar coalfields.
(f) No. As stated in answer to (e) women have been allowed underground in certain coalfields because sufficient men were not available.
Mr. Lalchand Navalrai : With reference to part (b), may I know if it is a fact that labour of women was abolished under public pressure ?