L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 853
(4) provision of transport to and from work ;
(5) increase in the rates for coal raisings at Railway Colleries so as to enable the contractors to offer more attractive wages to labour; and
(6) an informal agreement between Government and the mine-owners for an increase in the wages of colliery labour.
(d) It cannot be said that infant mortality is very high in mining areas due to lack of milk. Infant mortality figure in the coalfields is less than the All-India figure.
(e) Pure milk is available in mining areas. Samples of milk are frequently taken and examined by the Inspectors employed by the Mines Boards of Health and action is taken when adulteration is discovered.
(f) No. Government are examining further possibilities in regard to improvement of health of women and children in mining areas.
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*** Women Workers Working Underground in** Mines
- Mr. K. S. Gupta : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state the number of women workers underground in the years 1942, 1943 and 1944 ?
(b) Is there any attempt made to reduce the number of women employed underground ? If not, why not ?
(c) Is it a fact that in certain coal mines women are allowed or compelled to work even in stages of advanced pregnancy, thus giving rise to child births underground ? Was any report to that effect brought to the notice of Government ? If so, what is the action taken to put a stop to such a malpractice ?
(d) Would Government consider the question of applying a strict ban on women working underground as soon as the seventh month of pregnancy is complete ? If not, why not ?
(e) Are Government aware that maternity benefit offered to women workers is only nominal and that several complaints are made to their
- Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1945, 21st February 1945, p. 621.