L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 913
labour ? Is any incidental charge realised by that Government from the said Organisations in addition to the controlled price of rice in Dhanbad Sub-Division ? If so, at what rate and for what reasons ?
(c) Has any complaint been received recently from the Indian Collieries Union stating that the Joint Pools are still charging from its members approximately Rs. 4 per maund of rice, over and above the local controlled prices ?
(d) Has any comprehensive report been obtained by Government in this or any connected matter, from the Welfare Commissioner who is stationed at Dhanbad ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The wholesale control rates for rice in Dhanbad Sub-Division are Rs. 11 and Rs. 12 per maund for coarse and medium qualities respectively. The corresponding retail rates for the 2 qualities of rice are -/4/7½* and -/5/-* per seer.
(b) The Provincial Government is charging the two coal trade organisations the basic wholesale control rate at the source of supply of Rs. 9 per maund for coarse and Rs. 10 per maund for medium quality plus -/4/-* per maund to cover administrative charges. The organisations have to pay in addition the cost of the bags and the actual incidental charges incurred in effecting despatches of rice from the source of supply to the consuming centres.
(c) Yes, Sir.
(d) No.
Mr. K. C. Neogy : With regard to (b), is the Honourable Member in a position to tell the House whether the resulting price which is charged to the collieries is higher than the local controlled price, having regard to all the different levies which are paid ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I am afraid I have not made any calculations.
Mr. K. C. Neogy : That is really the point of the complaint.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : My Honourable friend can make the calculations.
Mr. K. C. Neogy : With regard to (d). I take it that this officer is an officer of the Government of India ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Yes.
Mr. K. C. Neogy : In view of the frequent complaints received in
- Rates are shown in annas and pies. —Ed.