914 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
regard to this question, will the Honourable Member consider the desirability of obtaining a report from this officer as regards these matters ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : This work will not fall within the purview of his duties. This is a matter for the Provincial Governments.
Mr. K. C. Neogy : The Honourable Member is aware that the complaint amounts to this, that the Provincial Government is not fully cooperating with the Central Government in the matter of making rice supplies to the collieries reasonably cheap ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I will get into touch with the Provincial Government, but I do not think I can ask the Coal Welfare Commissioner to deal with this matter.
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*** Area under Irrigation in Baluchistan**
- Mr. Abdul Qaiyum : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state :
(a) the total area brought under irrigation in Baluchistan since the war began;
(b) how much of such area was brought under irrigation by Government and how much by private enterprise;
(c) the total amount spent by the Government on such projects; and
(d) whether any sums were advanced to Zamindars for bringing land under irrigation ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a), (b) and (c). No substantial areas have been brought under irrigation in Baluchistan since the war began; but two flood control schemes, sanctioned by Government, costing about, Rs. 68,000, will add about 1,000 acres. As a result of more intensive cultivation of lands under irrigation and expansion of dry farming coupled with the Administration’s procurement measures, Baluchistan has become a surplus province with wheat, paddy and Jowari for export to other provinces.
(d) The information is being collected.
*Legislative Assembly Debates (Central). Vol. II of 1945, 29th March 1945, p. 2239.