L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 811
(b) if the Honourable Member is aware of the fact that mining labour is suffering so acutely from the effects of diseases and malnutrition that this has seriously affected their efficiency; if so, what steps taken to remedy this are ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The coal-mining labour is not immune to the seasonal incidence of malaria, but it is not correct to say that a large proportion of this labour suffered from the disease during August and September. The incidence of the disease per thousand of the average daily labour force employed in the Jharia Coalfield was 81 and 80 for the month of August in 1943 and 1944 respectively and 111 and 74 for the month of September in 1943 and 1944 respectively. Every effort is made to provide adequate facilities for treatment and sufficient supplies of quinine and its substitutes.
(b) It cannot be said that mining labour is suffering acutely from mal-nutrition. As regards their health all collieries employing
30 persons or more are required to maintain a dispensary and distribute medicines through their doctors. Coal Mines Labour Welfare Fund has recently been set up from which measures for prevention of disease in the mining population and improvement of medical facilities will be financed.
Mr. K. C. Neogy : With regard to the point about malnutrition, will the Honourable Member please make a statement as to whether it is not a fact and an admitted fact that apart from the shortage of labour in collieries, individual output of work has gone down due to malnutrition ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I am not certain about the facts mentioned by my Honourable friend.
Mr. K. C. Neogy : Will the Honourable Member make an enquiry from the Honourable the Supply Member, who, I understand made a statement to this effect on a recent occasion when he met one of the Chambers of Commerce.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : There is no need for an enquiry as the Honourable Member seems to be in possession of the fact.
Mr. K. C. Neogy : Will the Honourable Member convince himself about the truth of this position ?