Questions and Answers - Page 919

898 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES

Prof. N. G. Ranga : In regard to that tendency for mothers who have left their children at home to leave the mines a little early, are they made to suffer any loss of wages because they leave a little early, or are they encouraged to leave the mines early without loss of pay ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : They are paid by tubs: it is piece work.

Shrimati K. Radha Bai Subbarayan : How many hours at a stretch do they work ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : It is piece work ; they can go any time and come at any time.

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*** Tea Garden Labourers sent on** Assam Projects

  1. Dewan Abdul Basith Choudhury : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state whether he is aware that a large number of persons have been sent by the Managers of Tea Gardens to projects in Assam as labourers ?

(b) Is the Honourable Member also aware that no compensation has yet been granted to the dependents of many labourers who have lost their lives while engaged in project work ?

(c) Is it a fact that in those cases where compensation has been granted to the dependents of the deceased project workers, the amount paid is Rs. 200 to Rs. 300 ? Is this amount considered adequate ?

(d) Is the Honourable Member aware that the dependents of these unfortunate labourers are experiencing great difficulties in receiving payments of the compensation money ?

(e) Does the Honourable Member propose to consider the desirability of paying adequate compensation to the dependents of all labourers who have their lives in the projects ?

(f) Does he also propose to consider the desirability of paying the compensation money through the Sub-Divisional Office instead of through the Tea Garden Office ?