836 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
(b) Yes ; flood-control will receive priority over other aspects of control measures.
(c) The problem of the best way of helping landless labourers is engaging the attention of Government.
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*** Higher Prices Charged for Rice in** Bihar Coalfields
- Mr. K. C. Neogy : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state whether it is a fact that, in spite of his reply to my starred question No. 611 (b) on the 20th November,
1944, that the Bihar Government have decided to charge the local wholesale controlled rate plus four annas administrative charge and to bear the resulting loss, the Joint Pool at Jharia is continuing to charge the old rate from its members ?
(b) Is it a fact that some mine-owners have lodged protest with the Central Government on this question ? If so, what steps have been taken to redress their grievances ?
(c) Is it a fact that the General Manager of a large colliery in the Province of Bihar has been committed to the Court of Session by the Magistrate, Dhanbad, to stand his trial under Section 81 of the Defence of India Rules at the instance of the Rationing Officer, Dhanbad, for supply of rice to the miners in excess of the prescribed ratio for the purpose of increasing the output of coal at his colliery ?
(d) Is it a fact that the Rationing Officer, Dhanbad, himself on behalf of the Bihar Government was charging and allowing the Joint Pool to charge higher rates over the declared controlled rates during the same period, as admitted by the Honourable Member in reply to my above question ?
(e) Will Government consider the desirability of taking necessary steps against the said Rationing Officer, Dhanbad, for violating the rules promulgated under the Ordinance, dated the 9th February, 1944, issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Dhanbad, by charging higher rates than the controlled rates of rice ?
- Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1945, 9th February 1945, p. 121.