832 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
(c) The ban has been lifted only as a temporary measure, and will be reimposed as soon as conditions permit.
I may also add that all female workers, both surface and underground, are supplied with two saries per year at the concessional rates as arranged for by the various Mining Associations; at some mines the saries are given free and at others at half price.
Mr. T. S. Avinashilingam Chettiar : The question was not whether they get saris to wear. It is impossible for them to wear the saris in the mines and so the question of presentation of saris or giving them at concessional rates is absolutely irrelevant. I understand that they cannot wear saris above the waist line while working in the mines, because it is too wrong.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : It is quite wrong.
Mr. T. S. Avinashilingam Chettiar : When do you expect to reimpose the ban ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : As soon as circumstances permit.
Mr. T. S. Avinashilingam Chettiar : What are the circumstances ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : They are not under my control nor am I able to anticipate them.
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*** Casualties in Coal Mines**
- Mr. Abdul Qaiyum : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state:
(a) how many people were killed or wounded while working in coal mines in 1943 and 1944;
(b) whether the proposal of providing “Pit head baths “ for women engaged in the mines and creaches for their children has been given effect to ; and
(c) if not, the reasons for the delay ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar :
Killed Injured (a) 1943 ... ... 290 1,320 (b) 1944 ... ... 332 1,395
- Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1945, 9th February 1945, pp. 109-10.