730 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I cannot answer that question, because I do not know.
Mr. Lalchand Navalrai: May I know if before lifting the ban on women labour, the public was consulted or if the Government removed that ban suo motu ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The Government consulted the interests concerned.
Mr. Lalchand Navalrai : Did they object to it?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : No objection.
Mr. N. M. Joshi : With reference to part (c), does the Honourable Member say that he has no information whether women are paid equal wages with men ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The point of the question was whether the Secretary of State evaded the question. I said I have no information on the point. Women are paid the same wages as men.
Mr. N. M. Joshi: As regards equal payment of wages, is the Honourable Member aware that for men and women who work underground, wages are fixed on the basis of joint work of both ? How then does he say that men and women are paid equal wages ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : If it is brought to the attention of the Government that methods are adopted by which this rule is evaded, the Government will certainly take action in the matter.
Mr. N. M. Joshi: Will the Honourable Member enquire whether there is a proper method by which they can find out whether men and women miners are paid equal wages ? My own information is that men and women are paid for joint work and, therefore, it is impossible to find out whether the wages are equal, because both of them get joint payment.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I am unable to go into that. I can assure the Honourable Member that Government are contemplating about the appointment of Inspectors whose duty it will be to see that the welfare measures which have been announced by the Government are carried out.
Mr. N. M. Joshi : In view of the fact that trade unions both in this country as well as Great Britain are interested in this question of women working underground, will the Honourable Member publish a sort of report on the present conditions of women working underground ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I will consider the suggestion.