890 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
earnings have gone up by 20 per cent, and the dividends have increased by 8 per cent, during this period. In the case of B class banks, there is a fall in deposits of 13 per cent, also a fall in working capital of 13 percent., but gross earnings have gone up by 9 per cent. In the case of C class banks, deposits have gone up by 12 per cent., working capital has gone up by 12 percent, and there has been an increase in gross earnings, and also an increase in dividends. So far as the D class banks are concerned, they appear to me to be a most prosperous institution in this country, because there has been in their case an all-round increase, in deposits, in working capital, gross earnings and dividends. Now, Sir, there is no doubt that there is a certain amount of fall in the profits with regard to calss A banks and class B banks. What are the reasons for it ? Is it the reason that the Wage Bill has increased, or, does the reason lie somewher else ? It seems to me that there is a fall in the deposits, and a considerable rise in the rate of interest, to account for the fact that there has been a certain amount of fall in their profits. And surely, the Wage bill could not be used as a ground for urging that the banks have been sent into ruination by this Award. I therefore, submit that it is not possible to accept the argument that profits have gone down because of Wage bill. They have certainly not gone down on that account, although they may have gone down. Therefore, this argument certainly cannot be used for the modification of the Award in order to bring down the wage as fixed by the Tribunal.
Then again, Sir, with regard to the second change, namely, the creation of a class IV area I do not quite undrestand why the Government felt the necessity of creating this new area. The cases were argued before three tribunals. There were innumerable lawyers representing the workers and representing the bankers. Surely, none of them ever thought that it was necessary, in the case of any class of banks, that this new area should be created. What led the Government to create this area, I do not quite understand.
Then, Sir, the third change—the exemption of Part B and Part C States—seems to me to be one of the most difficult things to justify.