358 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
Sir, I need not say that the bulk of the working population consists of agricultural workers.
Mr. Vice-President : This is out of order.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Mr. Vice-President, Sir, as there is a considerable amount of feeling that the Directive Principles should make some reference to cottage industries, I am agreeable in principle to introduce in article 34 some words to give effect to the wishes of the Members of this House. I am therefore prepared to accept the amendment moved by my friend Mr. Ramalingam Chettiar, subject to the substitution of one or two words. One substitution that I would like to make is this. After the words “cottage industries on” I would like to add the words “individual or”. I would like to substitute his word ‘lines’ by the word ‘basis ‘. So that the amendment would read as follows :
“And in particular the State shall endeavour to promote cottage industries on individual or co-operative basis in rural areas.”
That, I think, would meet the wishes of most of the Members who are particularly interested in the subject.
I may also add that I am quite agreeable to accept the amendment moved by Mr. Nagappa that the word ‘agricultural’ be added after the word ‘industrial’.
Vice-President : That was not allowed.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I have no objection if you allow that. I think Mr. Nagappa’s suggestion that agricultural labour is as important as industrial labour and should not be merely referred to by the word ‘otherwise’ has some substance in it. However, it is a matter of ruling and it is for you to decide.
Shri T. A. Ramalingam Chettiar : I accept Dr. Ambedkar’s amendments.
Shri L. Krishnaswami Bharathi : (Madras :General) : Sir, may I suggest that we may stop with the word collage industries and omit the rest. Why do you want the words ‘on individual or co-operative basis’ ? There is no point in adding these words unless you want to lay special emphasis on co-operative basis. I would like these words ‘on individual or co-operative basis’ to be omitted.
Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : May I explain, Sir ? I find among the Members who are interested in the subject, there are two