930 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
(ii) that a statement has been issued by the Executive Committee of the Government Press Unions Federation, India, narrating the woeful tale of the hardship of the Press employees with some recommendations for an increase in Dearness Allowance and the scales of pay; and
(b) If the answers to (a) are in the affirmative, has any action been taken in the matter since the issue of the statement ? If not, when does he intend to take action, and in what way ? If not, why not ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) (i) and (ii) Yes.
(b) The matter is under the consideration of Government.
344
*Safeguarding of Indian Interests in Mica Mines
- Prof. N. G. Ranga : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state if his attention has been drawn to an article in the Free Press Journal of the 16th March, 1945, under the title, ‘India Chief Producer of Mica’ in which it is pointed out that British and American interests are trying to get control of mica mines in India ?
(b) If this is true, what precautions are Government taking to safeguard the interests of those engaged in mica industry at present, and of Indian Joint Stock Companies, who have acquired mica interests ?
(c) How many Indian Joint Stock Companies are interested in Mica mines in India ?
(d) Have any applications been received by the Controller of Capital Issues to register new companies in respect of mica, and has permission been given ? If so, to which ones ?
(e) Do Government propose to give an assurance that mica interests in the hands of Indians will not be threatened by more powerful British or American interests and that they will not be deprived of the existing rights?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The article in question is not traceable in the Free Press Journal of the 16th March, 1945.
- Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1945, 9th April 1945, p. 2619.