800 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
absolutely necessary for them to continue this cruel custom of employing women in mines ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The Government have been reviewing the position.
Sir Cowasjee Jehangir : May I know from the Honourable Member whether there is any restriction upon pregnant women going underground ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : It is very difficult to put any such restriction, because, as my Honourable friend is aware, it is extremely difficult to discover the state of pregnancy in many women.
Sir Cowasjee Jehangir : Surely the Honourable Member realises that it is not such a difficult matter. It is done in other trades. Why can’t it be done here as well ? Why can’t a restriction be placed at least in theory, if not in practice, that no pregnant woman shall go underground ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I might assure my Honourable friend that the matter is under active consideration.
Shrimati K. Radha Bai Subbarayan : Have the Government made any arrangement for the care of infants and children of these women workers ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : There has been established a Coal-miners’ Welfare Fund and the care of children will be one of the duties of this Fund.
Shrimati K. Radha Bai Subbarayan : I want to know whether the Government have made any definite arrangement for the care of the infants and children of these women ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: That is a statutory organisation and one of its obligatory duties would be to look after the infants and children of the women workers.
Prof. N. G. Ranga : May I know whether Government have taken effective steps to reduce the number of women working in the mines and increase the number of men to be employed there ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: That is also under consideration.
Prof. N. G. Ranga : Arc any steps being taken ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: Steps are being contemplated.