870 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
(c) Under the Government of India Act, 1935 Mineral Development is a Provincial subject except to such extent as is declared by a Federal law to be expedient in the public interest. No such federal law at present exists and Mineral Development has therefore been left entirely to Provincial Governments. But even so during the war the Central Government has given considerable assistance to mica producers in helping them to get supplies and by allowing the bonus on excess production to be free of excess profits tax.
Mr. Manu Subedar : Is it a fact that Government have controlled the price of mica and that bulk of the mica has been purchased both for this Government and for the Allied Governments at controlled prices, and that the control has been introduced by the Central Government ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Prices have been fixed.
Mr. Manu Subedar : May I know how these prices compare with the pre-war prices ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : They compare very favourably.
Mr. Manu Subedar : How much is the difference ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Sir, I must have notice of that question.
Mr. N. M. Joshi : May I ask whether the Mica Commission is going to consider the conditions of work of the mica miners, and, if so, whether the miners are represented on the Mica Commission ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : No, that is not one of the subjects which the Commission will make enquiries about.
Mr. G. W. Tyson : With reference to part (c) of the question, will the Honourable Member say whether he is satisfied that during the war, in which period the Central Government has had a good deal to do with the mica industry, Government has accorded protection to the mechanized mining companies which have suffered very heavy losses as a result of the illicit trade in mica ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : That is one of the reason why the Committee was appointed.
Shrimati K. Radha Bai Subbarayan : May I know if the Maternity Benefit Act is applied to mica factories ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : It applies to all mines.