L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 945
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*** Abolition of Utilisation Branch of Geological** Survey of India
- Mr. K. C. Neogy : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state the circumstances that led to the abolition of the Utilisation Branch of the Geological Survey of India ?
(b) Is it a fact that the Advisory Committee attached to the said Branch was at one stage, expected to function as a post-war planning committee with reference to minerals ?
(c) Which Committee, if any, is now engaged in considering questions relating to post-war policy about minerals.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The Utilization Branch was established with a view to utilizing undeveloped mineral resources of the country for furtherance of the war effort. On the termination of the war, the emphasis changed from that of war-time production to that of a planned policy of minerals development in the country. The development of such planned policy is an integral function of the Geological Survey of India and is being pushed forward but the necessity for a separate branch for productive purposes no longer exists.
(b) Yes, but the change-over in function has necessitated a change in the personnel of the Advisory Committee.
(c) The Government of India have recently formed an expert Advisory Board to advise them on problems connected with the mineral development of the country. A copy of the Labour Department Resolution No. M102 (4), dated the 9th January
1946, constituting the committee is available in the Library of the House.
364
@ Indian Bevin Boys
- Mr. K. C. Neogy : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state how many Indians were trained in Great Britain under the Bevin Training Scheme ?
- Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1946, 5th February 1946, p. 483.
@ Ibid. pp. 484-85.