734 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
coal to meet the bare necessities like train service and maintenance of indigenous industries ?
(b) Is it a fact that service in the mines (coal) is highly injurious to health of the miners ?
(c) Is it a fact that no special amenities are offered to coal miners to attract efficient and skilled workers to the service ?
(d) Is it a fact that miners and their families are housed in insufficient and insanitary surroundings ?
(e) Is it a fact that no medical aid and facilities for education of children are available in the coal mining areas ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) I would refer the Honourable member to my reply to Sir F. E. James starred question No. 82 on 10th February, which gives the principal measures which Government have adopted to increase the output of coal.
(b) No. Mining is a dangerous occupation but not necessarily injurious to health.
(c) No. Coal miners have been offered food at concession rates and Government are taking steps to increase the supply of consumer goods in the coal fields, it is proposed to increase the amenities offered to coal miners by measures taken under the new Coal mines Labour welfare Fund Ordinance.
(d) In the Jharia and Raniganj coalfields housing consists of pucca buildings built in accordance with specifications laid down by the Jharia and Asansol Mines Boards of Health. In other coalfields the housing is arranged at the miners’ discretion for the resident labour which is usually very small. Government are, however, not satisfied with the present arrangements for housing and sanitation in coalfields and schemes to improve these are being prepared under the Coal mines Labour welfare Fund Ordinance.
(e) Medical aid and educational facilities which at present exist are not very satisfactory. Schemes to improve these facilities are being prepared under the Coal mines Labour welfare Fund Ordinance.
Mr. N. M. Joshi : Will the Government of India make some report to the Legislature on the conditions in coal mines with regard to housing and other conditions and also the improvements made by Government, and place that report before the House ?