L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 893
(d) if the answer to (c) is in the affirmative, the rates of pay for women workers in other industries in India ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Government have seen the reports in question. They do not consider it in the public interest to disclose the nature and contents of their report to the India Office.
(b) The question of the restoration of the ban on the employment of women underground in mines is constantly under review.
(c) and (d) What the Secretary of State said was that the rates of pay “compare favourably with those of other industries in that part of India”. The only comparable labour is that employed on the neighbouring construction works, and Government believe that the statement is not far from truth.
(e) Arrangements have been made for ante-natal and postnatal care by the Mines Board of Health in the Jharia and Ranigunj coalfields. Some of the larger mines provide independent arrangements.
(f) Women doctors and adequate staff are employed at some of the large mines. Many mines provide midwives and nurses at hospital. The second part of the question does not arise.
Shrimati K. Radha Bai Subbarayan : May I ask if Government will make uniform arrangements in all mines for the welfare of women ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : We have that matter under consideration.
Mr. N. M. Joshi : In view of the fact that the House has declared itself against the employment of women below ground, will the Government of India now impose the ban in accordance with the wishes of this Legislature ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I thought that the decision of the House was more of a political demarche than a decision on merits.
Prof. N. G. Ranga : He has wilfully misunderstood the intention of the House.
Mr. Abdul Qaiyum : On a point of order, is the Honourable Member free to put such an interpretation as to impute motives in regard to a well-considered decision of the House ? If so, it will be very difficult to carry on. We have an irresponsible Government, and if they are going to talk like this……..