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The Gazette of India

EXTRAORDINARY

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1947

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF LABOUR

RESOLUTION

New Delhi, the 10th October 1947

No. LR-2(111).—In pursuance of paragraph 8 of Resolution No. LR-2(103), dated the 12th May 1947, the Government of India in the Ministry of Labour appointed a Fact Finding Committee to report On the grant of monetary benefits and concessions to colliery workers in the Central Provinces and Berar and in Orissa, on lines similar to those granted to colliery workers in Bengal and Bihar as a result of the recommendations of the Board of Conciliation (Colliery Dispute). The Committee has now submitted its report (vide Annexe) and the recommendations made have the approval generally of the employers' and workers' interests concerned, subject to one reservation on behalf of employers, namely, that the selling prices of coal should be suitably increased so as to enable the Industry to meet the liabilities accruing from the recom- mendations. The recommendations of the Committee are briefly summarised below.

2. Wages.—After taking into account the variations in the working condi- tions in Central Provinces and Berar and Orissa as the extensive us of explosives, use of machinery etc., the Committee has recommended in the case of Central Provinces and Berar:—

(i) in the case of coal cutters, an increase of 331/4per cent, over the 1009 wage which is assumed to have been 12 annas per 881eft. of solid coal;

(ii) for underground loaders and trolley-men, an increase of 50 per cent.

over the 1939 basic wage;

(iii) for adult male time-rated workers, both underground and surface, a minimum wage of 8 annas per day and for female labour 6 annas per day; and

(iv) for all other workers, underground or surface, who are now in receipt of basic wages between 8 annas and Rupee 1 a day and are not otherwise benefited by the general increase in the basic rates now proposed and have had no increase since 1st July 1946, an increase of 12 per cent, over their 1989 wage.

3. As regards the Hingir-Rampur collieries in Orissa, the Committee recommends that blasters (or coal cutters) should be allowed 83i per cent. increase over their present basic wage and the loaders and trammers a 50 per cent increase.

( 1149 )

uf cearneas a towance:—>

Minimum

Proposed Scale

Per cent

Ks, a. p.

II 4 0

JO"

For workers drawing a basio wage up to Ba. 30 p. m. .

66}

80 0 0 For workers drawing a basio wage of Ri. 81 to 100 .

40

ee io # Far workers drawing a bftsio wage of Ks, 101 to 300 .

For Hingir-Kampur collieries, the Committee recommends a flat rate of 100 per cent, of the basic wage.

5. Bonus.—The Committee favours the payment of an annual bonus of four months' basic wages, for all workers in Central Provinces & Berar and Oriaea drawing up to Es. 800 per month, on the lines recommended by the Board of Conciliation. The bonus is subjeot to the same conditions and methods of calculation as in the case of collieries in Bengal and Bihar except that it will be paid quarterly and that the qualifying attendance will bo 60 days- per quarter for underground workers and 65 days per quarter for surface workers.

6. Lead and Lift Bates.—-The Committee recommends the seme Rcales of 'lead and lift ratoa' as those proposed hj the Conciliation Board for Bengal and Biht.r. The Con'mittee is of the view that 'lead and lift rates' should be considered as an allowance and not as part of the basic wages.

7. Provident Fund.—The Committee has recommended the institution of a Provident Fund sohemo on the same lineB as for oollieries in Bengal and Bihar.

8. Coat of explosives, kerosene oil, etc,—Hitherto, tho coat of explosives, kerosene oils, picks, shovels, etc, supplied to the workers hns been recovered out of their wages, but this practice should atop and all charges should be borne bv the collieries themselves.

9. The other minor recommendations of the Committee relating to clotb and grain concessions, standardisation of tubs, etc., do not require any wpecial mention.

10. The Government of India accept the recommendations of the Com- mittee with tho proviso that there shall be no reduction in the basic wage of any worker where it is higher than what would be admissible under the Com- mittee's recommendations, and subject to clarification in subsequent orders aa to whether "lift and lead" payments should be regarded aa an allowance or as a part of basio wages The Government trust that the mine owners will take necessary action to give effect to these decisions with effect from the 10th October 1947. An announcement is being made separately by the Ministry of Industry and Supply regarding increase in the prices of coal.

OvRT)ER.—Ordered that a copy of the "Resolution be communicated to all Provincial Governments, all Chief Commissioners, the several Ministries of tho Government of India, the Cabinet Secretariat, the Central Board of Eevenue, the Auditor General, the Cbiof Labour Commissioner (Central), the Economfo Adviser to the Government of India, the Director of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics, Calcutta, the High Commissioner for India in London and alt recognised Chambers of Commerce and Associations.

ORDHBHD also that the Resolution be published in the Gazette of India.

REPORT Or THX TAOT TINPING COMMITTEE ON TEE GRANT OF

MONETARY BENEFITS AND OTHER CONCESSIONS TO COLLIERY

WORKERS IN O.P. & BERAE AND HINGIR-RAMPTJR COLLIERIES.

In pursuance of paragraph 8 of Resolution No. LR-2(108), dated the 12th May 1947, the Government, of India in the Department of Labour announced the appointment of a Fact Finding Committee with a view to taking appropriate action on the report of the Board of Conciliation (Colliery Disputes) appointed under their notification No. LR-2(98), dffted 5th February 1947.

2. The Committee, consisted of:—

Mr I). O. Jadhav, B.A., LL.B.,

Regional Labour Commissioner (Central), Southern Zone, Bombay, and

Mr A. B. Guha, B.So. (Min. Bir'ham), A.M.LMin.E. (London),

Controller of Collieries, Ballarpur, etc. Nagpur.

8. The main functions of the Committee were to report on:-—

(a) the present rates of basio wages, lead and lift rates, dearness allow- ance and other concessions to workers corresponding to the main categories referred to in paragraph 17(2) of the Report of the Board of Conciliation and to Buch other distinct categories of workers in respect of whom th& Committee may consider it necessary to make recommendations.

(b) what increases in basic wages, lead and lift rates, dearness allowanoe, and ether concessions, should be allowed to the main categories- reierred to in (a) above so aa to give colliery workers in the Cen- tral Provinces concessions equivalent to those given in similar categories of workers in the Bengal and Bihar Coalfiolds.

4. The Committee was also asked, provided it had adequate time at its disposal to report on the level of wages, dearness allowance and other conces- sions and costs of living for urban industrial labour, as compared with those of ruri',1 colliery labour in the Central Provinces and in the Provinces of Bengal and Bihar, both at the existing rates and on the basis of the Committee's recom- mendations. A copy of the press note issued later on, dated the 24th Juno 1947, is at Appendix I

5. The Government of India, later on, extended the scope of the Committee to include the Hingir-Rampur Collieries situated in Orissa also. (Appendix II).

6. The Committee started functioning immedint.eh on receipt of the above- inatructiona and issued a general circular (Appendix Til and I1I-A) to all the colliery owners in the Central Provinces requesting them to furnish information about the different categories of workers employed; rates of basic wages of each, category on 1st August 1939, 1st December 1940, ]st December 1946 and present rates; system of paymont; rates of dearness allowance granted from time to time; details of foodstuffs und cloth supplied together with any other amenities provided, giving in each case the extent 6f concessions and cash value, thereof; capacity and rates of payment per tub; average number of hours per day and average number of days per week worked by an employee.

7. IIK¹ following Colliery n,un ta were addressed to:—

1 Messrs. Shaw Wallace A: Co Colliery Owners, Parasin, C.P. 2. Messrs. R. S H". Verma and M. Kanhaiyalal & Co , Ltd., Colliery Owners Parasin Coll e'- Chhindwara, C.P.

Mi^hrR Ahsan AbdH *1 < lipry Owners, Bhandra Colliery, Nagpur.

. The Newton Chicltli ,'

'"h- Manager, Bcrui" '. i Parasia. T'li' Hmnper VT si • ' Pierv, Pnrasia, C.P. \IHH=-,I, Wnlicf P0> i')'is, Co'liery Owners, Chogri Berkui f'nllierv Cbopri •' TJ

L P S V K. S n' ' ' ' ' - ry Owners, Chogri Oollierv, Chogii, C.P.

10. The Unions catering for the labour employed in collieries in the Pench Valley, Jiunhan Vulley as well as Wardba Vuliey were also requested to submit stattmema on the wage structure of some of the important collieries together with their suggestions and such other information t\s they thought would be helpful to the Committee.

11. All the parties concerned were requested to send their statements in time lo retwh the Committee by the 23rd June 1047, us it was proposed to hold consultations and discussions with them from that date.

12. Out of the 21 colliery Managements thus addressed, 14 responded to the questionnaire issued on lines indicated in para. 8 above. While the Coal Com- mittee oi the C.P. and Berar Mining Association offered its full oo-operation and supplied all the information called for, the Bengal and Bihar Associations excused thuuselves on the plea that the time limit fixed for the submission of the Statements was too short and that since practically all the colliery owners affiliated to these Associations were also mewibers of the C.P. and Berar Mining Association, they would represent the case through the latter.

18. The Colliery owners in the C.P. deckled "to reprenent their case collec- tively through the Coal Committee of the C.P. and J3erar Mining Association, •who were met on four occasions June 23, 25, and 26 at Chhindwara and July 2 at Nugpur. The representatives of the following eollicn owners in Penoh Valley were interviewed separately at Chhindwara.

Messrs. Shaw Wallace

14 At Ohhindwara, tho Committee visited Chandametta and Newton Chiokli collieries and some of the Dhourbag of Eawanwarh collieries occupied by workerR and had talks with some of them, picked up at random. The Com- inittv3 consulted the Senior Inspector of Mines on technical matters and the Hub-Diviaional Officer, on the ooBt of Jiving in Chhindwara area in general and the mining urea in particular. The Committee also had u talk with the Secre- tary of the Special Mining District Local Board, Chhindwara.

IS. The C.P. Mino Workers' Union, Chhindwaia, led by itN President, Mr. R. S, Euikar, and Secretary, Mr. R. K. Naldulknr, represented ihe case of the workers in tho C.P. while Mr. Amrit Bai, Secretary of the Chhindwara- Branch entered a, statement on behalf of the Mahakoshal Provincial Congress Mazdotir Sangh.

16 It wiij impressed upon the Committee that the Mining and -Working conditions in the Pench Valley differed materially from those prevailing in Wardha Valley, and that in order to be able to appreciate r,he position fully, it was advisable that the Committee should pay a visit to one of the collieries eithtr ut Bnllarpur or Chanda. The Committee, therefore, visited the B&llarpur Collieries in the District of Chanda.

17. There they met the representatives of the following collieries:—

Eaipur Colliery,

Gugus Colliery,

Shree Mahakali Coal Mines Ltd.,

Ballarpur Collieries Company,

and the representatives of the following unions; Colliery Majur Seva Sangh,, Chcndfi Pv^irlprt Mr. P. M. Bhimnnwar. Bnllnrpur Coilierv Mazdoor Union, Mr. Md. Hnvat Azad.

1154 THE GAZETTE OP INDIA EXTBAOKDINAHY, OCT. 10, 1W7

IS In order to study and compare the "wage structure, mining And working conditions in G.P. with those obtaining in Bengal and Bihar, the Committee paid u flying visit to Dhanbad and held discussions with the Managements of the following collieries, and inspected a few of them.

(1) Digwadib Colliery,

(2) Tirsa Quarry of Diamond & Co.,

(fi) Jitpur Colliery,

(4) Jamadoba Colliery,

(5) Sijua Colliery in Jhariur."

19. They also managed to meet the following members of the Board ot Conciliation:—

(1) Mr. D, K. Kathor, Member, Indian Colliery Owners' Association. (2) Mr. P. C, Bose, Representing Colliery Labour. (3) Mr. S. P. Tarltion, llepiesenting I.W.A., Calcutta,

and had personal discussions with:—

(1) Mr. Kapoor Jitpur, Manager, Colliery Indian Iron and Steel Co.

(2) Mr. S. C. Ghose, Deputj Superintendent, Tata Collieries Dhanbad.

(3) Mr, B. Mitra, Assistant Coal Superintendent, Dhanbad.

(4) Mr D. Naraingh, M.A., LL.B., Conciliation Officer, (Central), Dhanbad.

with a view to ascertaining the prooedure und method of implementing the Bdard of Conciliation award and the result obtaining thereof.

2.0. A visit wan a]so paid to Hingir-Rampur Colliery where consultations wu'e held with the Manager of the Colliery and arlso Mr. Kuntia, the Secretary of the Snmbulpur Colliery.

21. Wages—Ooal cutters.—Owing to the lack of uniformity in working condi- tions the amount ol physical energy expended by underground workers varies from pit to pit, according to ihe toughness or otherwise of the dial, size mid in- clination of the scam, and chiefly, the mining method-—mechanical or manual-- practised in any particular locality. Fur instance, in Bihar and Bengal, the ooul cutter performs the dual duty of cutting and loading the coal. In Bengal and JBihar, the use of explosives is not so common. In C P. explosives aif used extensively and tho miutrs do not use the pick so much 'is do. the miners in Bengal and Bihar. In Hinijir-Rampur Colliery, the cutters do not u&e the pick at all. Every ounce of the coal there ie won by explosives. Pick is not the irrplement the coal cutter taken with him down the mines, it ifl the crowbar, with which he drills holes and dresses the coal face. In some collieries mining operations are clone by machines, but the vasi majority of mines in C.P. omplov manual labour. Where, however machines are used, the working conditions of the mijier become less strenuous.

22. In Ben pal and Bihar, where the miner cuts and loads his own coal; payment is made on the basis of tub-loads, In C.P, payment to the Coal cutter ig mmlp by measurement on the basis of footage while the loadinp is left to the tub-filler. There being no imiformitv of wages, each colliery bus fixed its own rates ficcordint? to tho prevailing conditions of work. "From the t-hitamentR submitted to us nnd from thn di^cn^ions we burl hnr] with the mnnnjrumiTts and labourers of the collieries of all standings, wo have arrived at the conclu- sion tha6 a minor in the Pench Valley, given the avorage conditions can cut rfc least 88-1 /R eft. of coal in solid per shift of 8 hours. In 1989, at tho rates then prevalent, viz. "Rs. 2/4/- ppr 100 eft. he cuts 88-1/8 eft. on coal in solid find received As. -/12/- per day. Ths Huges & Weston Report on Labour in

THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTBAOBDINABY, OCT. 10, 1947 1156

Coal Mines m C.P. and Beror mentions the same figure. It states that while m C.P. (Peuch) the average earning of a coal cutter in 1939, was -/15J/- per day, in Bihar and Bengal, it was only -/Q/9 and -/9/- reHpecrivelji. This IB explained by the fact that the wages in C.I¹, far coal cutters have always been more favourable than thoso in Bengal and Bihar. We too have personally verified the correctness of these figures. This might have been considered desirable at t h it time to ensure that the wage rates for colliery workers nhould be sufficient- ly attractive to draw labourers to the coalfields. Scaling down at this stage of these rates, initially fixed rather high, would, we uve afraid, lead to serious repercussions in the coal industry of the Province. We have, therefore, accept- ed this figure of -/12/- per day for the coal cutter who cuts by hand as his basic wage in 1939 the year which htrs been taken by the Board of Conciliation for purposes of comparison. The circumstances which moved the Board to con- aide.' the nature of coal cutters work as strenuous, thereby meriting special treatment, exist in the C.P. coal-fields also. But we are of the opinion that instead of the 50 per cent, increase in basic wages, recommended by the Board, for Bengal and Bihar workers, 33-1/3 per cent, would meet the requirements of the ease in O.P. This increase therefore we consider as a fair one. The increase in wage should no doubt improve the standard of living of the workers but it should also correspond to the variations in the cost of the ilems necessary for human sustenance and their availability in the locality. Thig increase therefore would ntill maintain the difference in pny, in favour of the C.P. workers as heretofore: —

Bengal and Bihar

C. P.

Loading one. tub of 36'00 o.ft, capuoity

Basic rato for 10U o.ft. of solid coalo\it In 1930

Rs, m. p".

•

K B. as. p".

Basic wags .

0 8 0

Basic wage . . ..

2 4 0

50% increauo ,

0 4 0

98 1/3 inoreuHO

0 12 0

New basic wngn

0 12 0

New basic w

3 0 0

Dally work done 33 1/8 o.ft. . 10 0

Difference . .

0 4 0

23. Underground Loaders—(Trammers in Wardha Valley),—In the Central Provinces, the loaders gather coal from the working face, with a shovel, and carry it in baskets?, to the tub over a distance of one or two pillars. They are alao called Tub-fillere and Trammers. Thin work wnB originally done by female labour (Reja) who worked side by side with their menfolk, when the former were permitted to work underground. Now this work is done by men. The loader, in the C.P. coalfields, can fill on an average in a shift of 8 hours four tubs ;jf various capacities. But much of his progress depends upon the quantity of the coal left behind bv the cuttar and on the availability of the tube. In 1939, the average rate for filling a tub of 03-75 eft. was As. - / 2 /- per tub when a loader could earn approximately As. - / 8 /- a day. There k no gainsaying the faot that loading process cauaos exhaustion and fatigue. It is all the more so, in placM where galleries are not sufficiently high to enable a loader to carry baskets on his hFud, and wheie he has to "bend so low as to crouch along carry- ing the load on his hip. The CbandrcrneHu colliery in Parasia, Pench ValTey, is a ca 1156 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTEAORDINAEY, OCT. 10, 1047

move important and progressive collieries, complaints about the shortage 01 this class, of labour as compared to the coal outtera and other underground workers. The job of a coal cutter being more profitable, with as much, iii not ieiss, labour as that of w louder, more persons are attracted to take up the former joo than the latter in O.P. coalfields. We, therefore, feel that aome sort OJ. incentive must needs be given to the loader. We suggest that his wages should be increased substantially an ho fully deserves to be treated preferentially ue^ause of tho strenuous imturo of hit) work. JHe may be granted an iueret.se ol JU per cent, over his baaio wago of 1939, bringing his present wage to - / 3 /- per tub of 88:75 c. it. capacity. We are of the opinion that a worker should be givea increase in the flat rate, per unit, for minimum work done, and subsequently higher rates for increased output. By this method the loader will be able to earn the minimum wages for his minimum efforts which he is normally expect- ed tj do. Piece rate work presupposes increase in production in direot propor- tion to the effort made. No doubt, pieee rates rosult in diversity of wages but having fixed a minimum for tin average loader, our recommendations will lead to an increase in production. He may further bo given - / I /- per tub for all the tubs loaded if the number comes to four or more per day. We hope that this concession would not only keep the loader at hia job but would also induce him to work more zealously and regularly than at present thereby increasing the prcduction generally.

24. Underground Trolleyraen.—The case of an underground trolleymen also needs preferential treatment and should bo treated on par with the tub loader. He pushes the tubs from a point nearest to the coal face to the point of hau age- He handles ii large number of tubs every day and in doing so exercises cons ier- able physical "iiergy. He is a time-rated worker in C.P. and his weekly wagae are always assured, while in Bihar and Bengal he is rr piece-rated worker. In C.P his wages in 1980 ranged from -/6/- to - / 9 /- a day. Our enquiries hav© revealed lhat there has been little or no iuoreaso in his basic wages ever since 10'd'J. In most of the collieries, ho haB been receiving as low as -/6/- per day. We recommend that he may be given an increase of ."SO per cent, in Irs basic wase of 1039, which may be taken us As. -/7/G per day and his present wageg be fixed at As. -/11/8 per day.

25. Adult Male Time-rated Workers—Underground and Surface.—It is the common experience in all industries that major disputes arise out of wajre oues- tions. The principle of "Living Wage" therefore, must receive our -lUi-ntion for all types of workers in the industry. An average worker Rhould be able to satisfy his normal needs if he has to maintain his existence in a civilised com- munity. Wo, therefore, suggest that the recommendations of tho "Board of Conciliation, in this behalf may bo accepted and all male workers, underground and surfneo may be given a minimum wage of As. - / 8 /- per day and where no* existing, it should bo brought up to this standard.

26 Female Labour.—Wo further suggest that female labour (Eejas) who are now working on surface only, should be given the minimum wage of As. -/6/- per day. Their basic wage in 1939 was from As. - / 8 /- to As. "-/5/- per day which has remained unaltered till this day.

27. Other Workers.—Increase of 83-1/8 per cent, or 50 per cent, in the basio wages of some, and rise in the minimum wages (up to -/8/-) of others would agitate the minds of the rest if thev are not ihown iome sort of con=Tr|prnt"on. We, therefore, recommend that workers, both underground and surface, who are at present getting between As. - / 8 /- and Be. 1/-/- per day and are not, otherwise, benofitted by the general increase in the basic rates of wages, and

whj have had no increment sintte 1st July 1946 should be given fin increase of 12 par cent, over their basic wage. This we find necessary and essential in ordti to secure peace.

28. Dearnesa Allowance.—The representatives of organised labour urged that Since the Hoard oi Conciliation has recommended 150 per cent, of dearneafl allowance, we should also sec our way to recommend the same. They argued that whereas it JS true that the cost oi living in the Central Provinces is cheaper than HI Jiihrtr, as revealed by the Index Figures published by Government from time to time thq varintians in these figuies ioi Jharia and Penoh Valley ore mor-) or less constant. They maintained that these should therefore, bo no differentiation between the percentages of dearnesa allowance granted in Bihar and in Pench Valley. On the other hand, the Coal Cummittee of rho C.P. and Berur Mining Association referred us to the cost of living index figures for February 1947 for Jharia 389, base 121 in 1939; and Nffgpur 807, base 100— 1939. They stated that Pench "Valley a rural area, was still cheaper than Nagpur and therefore, deaniesB allowance based on the rise in coal of living inde\ figure should not be the same in Pench Valley as that for an expensive place like Jharia. They further said that anything over and above 100 per cent, in the way of deafness allowance would not be justifiable. Illustrating their argument by giving concrete examples, thnv stvid that the earning of a coal cutter in the light of the above recommendations, would be as follows:

B s. a. p.

B H S IO r a te p er 1 00 o . f t. of c o al o ut by h a nd in 1 9 39 . . ..

38 1 / 1% i n o r e a ne in t he b a s ic r a te . . . . . ..

3 4 0 0 IS 0

3 0 0 N ew b a a lr r a te p er 1 00 o . f t.

1 0 0% d e ar l e ss a l l o w a u oe on n ow b a s io r a t ') . . . ..

3 0 0

T o t al f or 1 00 o . f t, c o al o ut

A m i n or c u t t i ng 31 1 /3 o . f c, p op d ay w i ll mo > l ve . . ..

H 0 0 2 0 0

whioh compares very favourably with remuneration of a cotrl cutter ]is. 1/14/- in Bengal and Bihar. Similarly the earning of a. louder would be: —

Buaio mto of 1039 , 50% inormse .

Jts. Afl. V, 0 2 0 por tub of 33'75. e f t. 0 I 0

New Basio wage .

100% D. A. .

0 3 0

0 3 0

0 6 0

Add -/I/- p"T tub if four or m¹

are

tuba are loadt d •

or

0 7 0 —per tub. 1 12 0 for 4 tuba.

"g compared to 1-14-0 for coal cutter-fitm-londer in Jharia, Uengal and Ixhuiv. TroUeyman

B*. A. P.

Baaio wago in 1039 6'J% iuoreiso

0 8 0 per day. 0 4 0

Kew Baaio wage .

0 12 0

100% D. A.

0 12 0

I SO per day.

l i as THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAOBDINAEY, OCT. 10, 1047

29, It will be observed that the above provides a level of woges comparable, in so far as varied circumstances permit with those granted by the Board of Conciliation for the Bengal and Bihar colliery workers. Wo are of the opinion that 100 per cent, dearness allowance on the new basic wages is fair and reason- able, and should be considered for all surface and underground oolliery workers in (_'. 1'. drawing lie, 1/- or below per day. We further recommend that dear- ness allowance for other workers and staff, drawing Us. 31 p.m. and above upto RB, 800 p.m. should be given as indicated below with marginal adjustments whenever necessary.

Boeic wagi per month

Minimum

Proposed scale of

dearneas ullowanoe

Up to Us. 30 p.m.

100%

Bo. 11 4 0

B". 31 to 100

Bfl. 30 0 •

oaf%

H". 00 10 0 R". 101 to 300

40%

30, Lead and Lift Rates..—In the bigger well organised collieries in C. P., there are not many instances, whero loaders have to go beyond the roquisite -limit, as Ift'd down by the Board of Conciliation, to earn lead and lift allow- ance but to induce owners to keep the loading point as near to the coal face a,n possible and mitigate hardship to the loader we suggest that the Board of Conc'liation's recommendations in this respect may be given effect to in the • C. P ., c o a l f i e l ds " 1 R O. T h i s, h o w e v e r, s h o u ld be c o n s i d e r ed as an a l l o w a n ce

.and not an increase on the basio wages.

31. Standardisation of tubs.—We are of the opinion thut where conditions permit tubs of the same size should be supplied. This is essential to enable the miners, loaders and trolleymen to get uniform rate in the same colliery and preferably in the same coalfield, It is quite understood that in thin "nd highly inclined seams, tubs sizes will have to be governed by local conditions There, however, appears to be no justification for different tub sizes in the same colliery. We recommend, that the colliery owners should be asked to substitute the present tubs of various sizes of tubs of 80,33-75 eft. only in the collieries in C. P. as and when replacements are found neoessary, a period of two years should be given for complete replacements.

82. Explosives, shovelsv pickaxes, crowbars, baskets, etc.—At present* the cost of these implements ie deducted to a greater or less extent, from the earn'lies of a coal cutter by almost nil the colliery owners in the Pencil Valley. Such deductions ore not common in Wardha Valley collieries. The Board of Conciliation has deprecated the practice and we also agree that this.should not be the case. But. the owners represented that unrestricted use of explo- sives, would occasion a big losstothem, besides giving a prolific cause of fric- tion between the shotfirors and the miners, one wanting to have an unlimited supply of explosives to save his lnhour and the other refusing to pivfc more than the absolute minimum. H was brought to our notice in some of the col- lieries, picks-shops, hiiskets, m wh:irs huvc to bo pnid for by the minors Thf labour representatives, quite j/istifiably, felt vury strongly on this point and urged that the practice should 'he put, a stop to. These articles are indispensible accompaniments of the workers and should, on this score, be provided for by the employer. We recommend that deductions should not be mad*¹ from the wages of the miner on account of the supply of the above mentioned, similar implements. As regards the issue of explosives, we, however, consider thai unrestricted use of explosives might endanger the mine; so we recommend thut, though explosives should be ifs&ued free of cost, the quantity to be issued should be fixed in consultation with the Tnspeotor of Mine whose decinion &r\

THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTBAOBPINABY, OCT. 10, 1947 llflfr

38. Kerosene oil.—At present the cost of Kerosene Oil is deducted from the mines in the Pench Valley. This is not justiiablo. We recommend that four chattaks of kerosene oil should be issued free of cost to all the underground workers for use in an 8 hour shift.

84. Foodstuffs.—As in .Bengal and Bihar so in the Central Provinces tbe average cost of concessions given by the employor on foodstuffs, cloth and other amenities amount to, roughly, -/6j- per dn\ ptr -worker. The employers seemed to favour the idea that the cost of these concessions should be paid in cash, but we are strongly of the opinion that nothing of the sort should b" done. Such concessions as are being granted by the colliery owners now to tbe workers, and which cost to the former at least -/6/- a day should continue as heretofore. Concessions amounting to less than an average of - / 6 /- per worker per day may be brought up to 6 annas per day.

85. Th's average of -/fl/- per day is based on a family consisting of a worker, his wife and three dependants. In some cases a worker, without any depend- ants, will receive less as compared to a worker with a bigger family. It ii not our intention to bring them to a par. The system which is prevailing in the collieries to give preference to u worker with a bigger family should conti- nue. The average cost of foodstuff concessions to Hie colliery should not b<* less than -/6/- per worker.

86. The discontinuance of issue of foodstuffs nt concessional rates would visit discomfort and inconvenience to the workers, who would be hard put to it if necessaries of life are not roadily available in the open market and have to be searched and paid for at exhorbitant prices.

87. Provident Tund.—We recommend that ono nnna per rupee be deducted from the wages of a worker to which an equivalent amount be added by the employer in accordance with the Hoard of Conciliation's recommendations on the subject.

88. Bon uses.—Almost all the employers favour the idea of giving bonus. A vast majority of them would link the bonus with production rather than attendance. In some collieries bonus is pnid on a slightly different basis. It is paid to the miners on the amount of nonl raised by them individually over and above a Specified figure. We agree w'th recommendations of tho Board of Conciliation that four months bonus, two months linked with attendance and the other-two w'th production, should be paid to the workers, subjeot to the condition that an underground worker puts in BO day? in n qunrter and a surface worker 65 days in n quarter. Thii bonus should be limited to a person drawing upto Rs. 300 a month.

39. Hingir Rampur Collieries.—The SVHIOIU followed in the C. P, coalfields of engaging miners and loaders for separate work, prevails in the Hingir Uampur Colliery also, but the nature of the miner's work is perceptibly different from that of his counterpart in C. P. In the latter province, coal is under-cut by pick and blnsier by PXploniveR, hui tin's is rnl the rut-H in Hingir, where the con] is so tough that it cannot be won without blasting Explosives are used extensively and to our knowledge this is tho only colliery in India where un- restricted blasting is permitted CoTiwoqunnHv the miner is no other but a blaster. He hns no occasion to use a pick and does not onrry one. Ho uses a crowbar for drilling holes and dressing the gnllery fiioe. The wages paid to a outter-cum-loader in Jhnrin coalfields, i.e. -/12/- p"er day are equally divided between the blaster and loader in Hingir The blaster nnd loader are paid b.v tidi-- Wh'le the blaster is pji'il -/f>'- n vt (.\imiiiys) per tub "f eoril blasted, tho loader is paid the same amount for loading ono tub of coal cut. The system worked is that a gang of miners blasts tbe cod and another gang loads the same blasted coal, and evervbodv from these two panes is naid his wages per tub. An avera ;e miner

average loader two per day. The capacity of tho tub iR 40-5 e.it., or in terms of weight, about 16 cvvt. The* payment is made by tubfl and not by oubic feet. We observed that the work of the loader is moro arduous than that of the miner who docs nothing but drilling and blasting. It was stated by tho Manager that a worker would more readily become u blaster than a loader, the former work bejng less strenuous than the latter.

40, The case of the trammor is of exactlv similar nature to that of the trammer in other coalfields. Ho m a daily rated man and is paid - / 8 /- a day at present.

41. The basic, wages of the above throo categories were fixed by the Jadhav Award in 1045, and wo do not find any reason to modify it. We recommend that the blasters (or coal cutters) may* be given 38^ per cent, in their present basic wage, the loader 50 per cent, and the trammer 50 per cent. According to this suggestion, approximate earnings of a ooul cutter will be: —

RB A B. P H.

Baaio wage 33$% inon-aan

per tub

0 4 6

0 1 0

0 6 0

New basic wage Loader i basic wage 80%

per tub

0 4 6

0 2 3

New bisio wage Tnunnvn¹1 bane wage

60% i i

0 6 9 0 6 0 0 3 0

New basio w&go

o eo 42. From the evidence advanced before us, we are of opinion that the cost of living in Hingir liumpur is cheaper than at Jharia. The cost of living index figure is higher in Bihar than in Orissa:

Cuttaok

Behrumfjur

Jhariu

February 104 V

313

380

283

Maroh .

323

an

394

April

320

300

May

327

201

A',). We, therefore, rocoimnend tbitt 11)0 per cent, dearness allowance whould be paid on I he bams of the new buwie wage.

44. The present concession on foodstuffs falls ver\ murh short of tho figure of the concession granted generally in other coalfield*. It should be brought to the same standard as explained in paras. 91—80.

45. Explosives are issued free and so is the kerosene oil. But a deposit of Rs. 5 is required against the safe return of shoval issued to a worker. We feel that the pructico may continue.

4ti Other rt-eum mend ntion pert inn ing to the coalfields in C. 1\ made by us may be applied in full to this coalfield as well.

47, Our thanlcs are due to the management of the Hingir Eampur Colliery for laying at our disposal, at a very short notice, all the data that we needed for the study of our subject. We .ire ulno thankful to Mr. Kuritia, General Secretary of the Sambalpur Colliery Workers for his co-operation,

48. General.—It is regretted that owing to the 1 miterl time at our d spoaa) and to the urgency of our decision on the question of wages for colliery workers in C. P. we were not able to devote anv time to the study of the wuges of tho urban industrial labour or to compare the snme with those now recommended by us.

49. We take the opportunity of express.ng our grateful thinks to the mem- bers of the Coal Committeo of the C. P. and Bcrar Mining Association, in particular, and the individual mine owners in general for the ready co-operation and the accommodating spirit they displayed throughout tlvn discuss ons with us, Wo fuliy realise the inconvenience thp\ wen"¹ put to because of the in- adequate period of time given to thorn to prepare their CUSP, but this W&H a circum- stance over which we hud no control \V" tire also, nt the vime tine, in U'bted TO the leaders of the unionised labour oh efly to Mr. V,, S Tinilfar, the Presi- dent of the C. P. Mines Workers and Mr P>h lnaivar. for the manner in wh ch they dealt with all the points we referred tr> them. AVe appreciate the spirit of compromise shown by the employers as well us the > inployi es representatives. They readily accepted our proposals on which s based the enclosed agreement. (Vide appendix IV and V).

50. In the course of discussions with the employers the owner's represen- tatives, both in 0. P, and Orissa, emphasised the fact that it will not be possible for them to meet the extra expenditure nvolvod without a corresponding in- crease jn the selling price. This was a condition precedent to the signing of the agreement by both the parties.

51. We also appreciate the services of Ihe stuff selected for tho v ork of Fact Finding Committee who inspite of several inconveniences, were able to render as much help as was needed for the successful functioning of tho Committee. We place on record our appreciation of the services rendered to the Committeo by our Secretary, Mr. A. Majid.

D. G. JADHAV,

A. B. GUHA,

Members, Fact Finding Committee, Dated the 12th July, 1947.

PRESS NOTE

DEPAETMENT OF LABOUR

Colliery Labour In 0. P. to get more wages. Actual increases to be recom- mended by Special Committee.

The Government of India in the Labour Department have appointed a Faot Finding Committee to report on the extent to which monetary benefits and concessions can be granted to the colliery workers in the Central Provinces on lines s'milar to those granted to the colliery workers in Bengal and Bihar as a result of the recommendations of the Bourd of Conciliations (Colliery Disputes), The Committee which has been requested by the Government to submit its report before July 10, 1947, so that expeditious action may be taken in this matter, consists of two members, namely Mr. D. G. Jadhav, Eegional Labour Commissioner, Bombay and Mr. A. B, Guha. Controller of Collieries, Ballarpur.

representatives of workers and employers' organisations in the Central Pro- yinoes, and if necessary, elsewhere.

The report of thin Committee is expected to deal in the first plaoe with the present rates of basic wages, lead and lift rates, dearness allowances and other concessions to these workers, who correspond to the main categories of labour whioh have been mentioned in the Report of the Board of Conciliation in its recommendation regarding increased wage rates. The Committee may also report on similar conditions relating to other distinct categories of workers, if it considers necessary.

Grants in 0. P. To be equivalent to those in Bihar and Bengal

The recommendations of the Committee will relate to the increases in basic wages, lead and lift rates, dearnesB allowances and other concessions, which may be allowed to the main categories of colliery labour already referred to, the aim of the recommendations being tn give the colliery workers of the Central Provinces concessions equivalent to those given to corresponding categories of workers in the coalfieldb of Bengul and Bihar. In making the recommend- ations the Committee is expected to bring out the' effect that the proposed in- creases may have on the real wages of colliery workers in the Central ^rovincea- and compare the same with the real wages now enjoyed bv workers in Bengal and Bihar under the settlement promoted by the Board of Conciliation.

If the Committee has sufficient time at its disposal, it may also collect data on the cost of living of urban industrial labour in the Central Provinces and on their wages, dearness allowances ami other concessions. These mav then be compared with the wngfs etc. enjoyed by rural colliery labour, firstly in the Central Provinces and then in "Bengal nnd Bihar. This comparison, which will be valuable, may be instituted by the committee both on the basis of existing rates and on that of the Committoe's final recommendations.

COPY OF THE TELEGRAM DATED THE 28TH JUNE, 1947, FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT

GUHA,

CONTROLLER OF COLLIERIES, BALLAKPUR.

(Ill) II Please include Hingir Rampur Collieries within scope of your oommittee stop Industries and Supplies Department consulted stop Inform Jadhav.

May 22nd, 1047.

No. L.

1. Messrs. Shaw Wallace & Co., Paraeia.

2. ,, Ballarpur Collieries Co., Nagpur. 3. ,, Newton Chikli Collieries Ltd., Parasia. 4. ,, The C V. Syndicate, Nagpur.

5. ,, S. 0. Cambatta & Co., Hirdagarh.

DEAR SIRS,

I shall be pleased if you kindly furnish me the following informations at " very early date.

Other oonoowriona

Cheap grain.

Bonus R.raark.1 WftgOB D. A.

Oauh value of the abovo

Wages of the Underground Workers, 1939

Ooai Out tew i, Miiiors)

Trammers (Loaders)

TroUVymon .

Oth"r under- ~\

ground workers }- Piroe and

J daily ratoc

Wages of Surface Workers, 1939

fMalo .

Si*rf"oe workers •{

L Femalo

Similar informations for 1941 and 1947 may please bo furnished.

BONUS

Theao informations are required for the period you have paid Bonus to your surface and underground workers. Similar statements for each of your colliery in Penoh Valley area may please be supplied with the least possible delay.

I understand the system of payment to your miners is by the cubiclo contents cut and not by tubs loaded as in Bengal and Bihar, The mode ot payment may please be clarified. Is the rate different for hand out and machine cut galleries? If so, the average daily earnings of hand out and machine cut miners may ploaso bo separately stated Does a trammer (loader) earn any more in a machine cut gallery than a trammer in a hand cut gallery?

Tours faithfully,

A. B. GUHA.

(iOVEBNMENT OF INDIA

DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR

$o.

Dated the 18th June, 1947

Fact Finding Committee

As per list attached 9449 to 9467

In paragraph 8 of the Government Eeaolution No. LE 2(103), dated the 12th May 1U47, the Government of India announced that, although the recom- mendations of tho Board of Conciliation (Colliery Disputes) were applicable only to collierieH in Bengal and Bihar, appropriate action would be taken as early as possible in respoct of coalfields in the Central Provinces and elsewhere. They have now appointed a Fact Finding Committee to hear and collect the views of the colliery owners and workers on matters relating to the oxisting 'ratow of Imfiiu wages, lift and lend mLes dearness aPownnue, a :pply of food- etufis and cloth, and the grunt of other concessions if any. The committee, which consists of myself and Mr. A. B, Guha, Controller of CollierieB, Ballarpur, would like to ascertain from all concerned what monetary benefits should be granted so as to give colliery workers in the Central Provinces con- cessions equivalent to those given in similar categories of workers in the Bongal and Bihar Coalfields.

2. You are, therefore, requested to submit to the Committee, BO as to reach it not later than the 20th June 1947, a brief memorandum covering the following points:—<

1. Different categories of workers employed in the colliery. 2. Bates of basic wages of each category, together with lift and lead rates, prevalent on 1st December 1940, 1st December 1940, "ud now.

3. Bystem of payment—time or piece rates. 4. Bates of overtime payment. 5. Bates of Dearnoss Allowance granted from time to time since 1940. fi. Details of necessaries of life supplied:

(i) Foodstuffs: (a) Commodities,

(b) Quantities, (c) Bates, (d) Extent of concessions, if any, (e) No. of family members entitled to the concessions, (ii) Cloth: (a) Quality,

(b) Quantity, (c) Bates, (d) Extent of concessions, if any, (e) Persons entitled to its supply.

(iii) Other necessaries of life. (iv) Cash value of foodstuffs, cloth and other necessaries of life granted to each worker per month.

7. Capacity of tubs. 8. Bates of payment per tub. 9. Production figures per month before the supply of foodstuffs, etc. was rationed.

10. Production figures per month during the temporary stoppage, if any, of foodstuffs and other concessions.

11. Production figures per month lor u, period of bix uionliib jmuitdia^ely after the auppiy ol loodstuiib (.to. \ uu rationed and distributed by the coihery at I'oncebfctionul rales.

12. Average number ol huuit) per day and uver.iyt; number oi days, per week workeu b^ uu employee.

;}. At a date, to be fixed later, Lhe CommitWo would ILko U> take ihe evidence of youi¹ ltprtHuutaLiMj on unj oi tiiu above poiuiB, t-iujUJd it be iouud uuc€sa"iry. ¥ou uiuy, it jou so deisite, a,uLhoriso the C. iJ. MHIL Uv\iiers Associatiou to load eudeuee ou jour bebalf, il you uio " uiombtir ol lLiut AssociaUon.

I have the honour to be,

tirr,

Your moaL ubbdionL servanti,

i>. Cr. JADUAV,

liL'gir.iial Jjaboui LoinnuBbionur (Cuutral)

Southern Zone, Bombay.

1. Messrs. Shaw Wulluoc ti Co., Colliery OWIKTH, 1'ariibiu., 0. 1".

2. Mes&rH. l i. fcj. H. \ c-ijuu & iVl. l\.uiiliaiyai,il & l u ., Jjlil., Gollury ". Mosurs. Ahban Abdul Mi, Colliery Ownei'h,, UhaudrTi Oolliwy, N^tl¹¹¹¹'- 4. Messrs. The JNewton Ohiclm Collieries Ltd., 1'urasia, C. I¹ 5. Tho MauagBi¹, liuat Uurkui Oolhoiy, i'auwia, C. }.'. 6. Tht> Manager, West Barkui Colliery, I'arasiu, 0. P.

7. Messrs. Waljee illiiiiijuo A, Sona, Colliery Owners, Choyri Buikui Colliery, Cliogiim, C. .P.

8. a. 8. P. 8. Bial & 8ons, Colliery Owners, Chogri Colliery, Ohogrim, G. .P,

9. Messrs. Eisan Chand & Co.; Colliery Owners, Dhun Colhfcry, Dhuo, Cbhhidwara, C. P.

10. Messrs. Misrilal Meghraj & 8ona, Colliery Owners, Ambara Colliery Juniiordeo, C. P.

11. Messrs. N. H. Ojha ^ Co. Ltd, Colliui> OWIKTH, l'u-bohourui Colliery, Juunordeo, C. P.

12. The Kolhia Hirdagarh, C. P. Ltd., Colliery Owners, Kolhia Colherv Kolhm, C, P.

18. The C. P. Syndicate Limited, Colliery Ownern Kalicldwimr \, Damua (Collieries, Nagpur.

14. Mr Nandlal, Coihery Owner. Garjandoh & C'ollicriHS, Chhindnura,

15. MOBBTB. Dalmiu Jain X Co., Ltd., Colliers ONMHTH, Junnordeo Nn CoJliery, Junnovdeo, C. P.

Chorawari, C. P.

16. Mr I A. T. Warde, Colliery Ownw, Chonwaii Knhm Colliery •'' 17. The Hirdagarh Collieries Ltd., Colliery Owners, Hirdagarh Collieries, Gnarawan, C, P,

Jo He Sa!¹^r,rn°i¹,¹.ic'rifS ('⁰' L W- (¹1Hrv O v n^. Nu1T,,r.

L k h iS c P m es U(¹ C°]l[n'} (hu'"rBl J<''kllik('i' C u l [™-

20. Tho Clmirnm, ('. ]'. & B, r "r Mining Assoriation, Coal Committee, -mrrlugarh, Chhmdwarn, C. P.

21. Amritlal Ojha & Co., Poliiery Owners, Bombay.

THE 0. P. AND BEKAK MINING ASSOCIATION GOAL COMMITTEE

Memorandum

To

The K ict H'indmg Conimiti.ee, Oiimp, Chhindwara.

\)na Sir,

lief.— Chairman, Coal Committee's interview with you on 28rd June 1047.

As desirod by you in the interview referred to above we beg to give below our pioposals regarding rcvibiori oi wages and othor concession which in our opinion will reasonably facilitate the development of an efficient, contented and settled labour force m Ihe coalfield. We understand that the guiding principles for your Committee while examining the conditions will be those contained in the rep >rt of rho ('oncilialion Board set up by (he Government for the Bengal and Bihar Coalfields.

2. We hn,vo, thfrofoto, in formulating these proposals tak'.n this report u- tlie bo^ia of our ualculaiioiis, since the cost of thr vui^v iucieuMs, and other improvements supgest'-d ['aimit be met out uf tin present, IVSO nvi B ol the indu try, firnl arc entirely dependent upon u ^nbstn.itinl increase in the selling price.

,'1. Wage Bates.—iWhilo in Bongnl mid Bihar a crml ruttrr has to cut nnrt load coal; here in the Pcnch Valley, he only cuts coal. The quantity of coal cut per miner p. A. should in oin opinion he, in IVnch to give the same net advantage as tho 50 per cent, and 150 per c'-nt givon in Bengal and Bihar wo havu ttiken the wage of tho miner here follovii'L' H'e procedure of the Bengal and Bihar Conciliation Award.

4. From existing it/con's it cin b" shown

5. Comparing the basic rates it will he seen that a percentage addition of 33-J H ]Pr cent will pjanitnin Ihn advndag^ {ho P,-nch miner has bad over the miner in Bengal and Bihar.

Ba"w rates o/ mal Afovntagt, P"nch has

mtteri nr miners

o^,. Bengal

Tu 1 9 10 . . 0 80

0 - 12 0 i nO% T o.rt.r. , D . t 'O 33 1/3% Inoreni.1 0 4 0

0 '! "

0 lfl~~0 4

We tb-rrfore recnmmend a iiercndnge increase of 03.1/3 por cent, of the 19.10 busit- rates.

Dearoasa Allowince,~\Vith regavd to tho denrness allowance we feel that r>nnR.,,rpfl brtwpen the two coolrelds and comparatjve ri2 07 fN ™) 'n n T l a i l'on iF nvnilnhle show the proportion to he 2P9 (Bihar)

The figures of 289 and 2U7 are arrived aL by reference, to the Governmer' of India Cost ol Living Index figures for February, 1947, which show t h at m Jharia the additional cost of living is 268 in 0. L\ compared with an tidditionuJ cost of 207 in Nugpur. It is w dl recognised that the cost of living is much lower in the rural district, of the coalfields tin compared with the urban Nogpur Applying Lhese pioposed rates as it affects the coal cutter the following rutes will apply:—,

B J. A. P.

Baaio rate per 100 o. ft. of out in 1939 . . .. 5 40 3 3 * 1 / 3% i n o m am OH b a s lo i a t o. . ..

. 0 12 0

N o w h f t H io m t i ' pm 1 00 o. f t. . . . .. 3 00 1 0 0% d a rm a"i i J l o w a u cn on >iow b a s ic . . .. 3 0 0

T o t al p 'i 1 00 o. f t. rtiil c ut . . . . .. 8 00

T he c o al e u l t tr w i ll t h en f u n .¹ fi-ci i ve Us 2 p i _r d ai p i n4 - / R /- c o n f e s s i on

v e f e n e rl to l a t er in t he i n e r i o i i i m l u i i i.

Total Es. 5/6/- per day.

The above proposals are baaed on a coal cutter cutting only 33.1/8 o.ft. eonl in solid per '-hift Wo consider Ihut given the necessary endeavour c>n the part of the minor the vn^t nujoufv of Ihe w< rkers can cut eonaidejably more than this amount of coal, and in inativ instances are already doing HO. In the denilki'-ing tm a and roof, floor ^md side dressing where condition* are easier, thp rites will he proportionately adiuste'l. Great care should be taken not to increrr'> d^pill pim; r'lrs to the disadvantages of raffs fixed for development arerr,, ns difilc ilfy is experienced at present in gotting miners to woi'l\~ on development vhen dppillarin^ is ovai'aHe

1 9 39 b F i e io r u t" p oi t ub . . .. 2 a n n ul i T i o r e a R" of f ! 0% on a b o vo . . .. 1 a i i n , (*

T T cw b f t f l io r o te . . . . .. 3 a n n f ta 1 0 0% T). A. on n ow b f t ^ 'o . . .. 3 a n n as

T o t f tl p n r¹ t ub . . 6 u n i as

0

he w i l¹ he e n t i t l ed to ' in i r< i v n in i n tr nf - ' 1 /- ] J H I- t u b, b r i n ^ i n ir l i is w a g es in Tie' 1/12/- ner dav plus -/0/- grain concessions.

1P30 ha 'c rfiti' . . . .. 0 7 ft 5 0% i i i c e a in . . .. 0 3¹" fl

STnw banfd r a t" . . .. <\ 11 3

100% D. A. . ! . 0 11 3

Adult Male Time Eaied Workers—Underground and Surface.—Me. accept tho roouniinriiiJHtioiih of ibc (JonemuUou Hoard Avvaid lhat tbu mmuniun busie id.ii• should be Jit). -/Hy- per day.

Lift and Lead.—We accept tlm scales presu ibcd m the Award ot tlit Goti- ciliatioii .Board.

Standardisation of Tub. — We uo agiciable to reasonable standardisation of tubs tiikiiig into account the varying seam thicknesses iu the Pencb Coalfield.

Dearness Allowance to Monthly Paid Staff.—Wo are prepared to accept the scales recommended in ihe Conciliation Kouid Award for categories from Us. ilO to BB, SOU per month. Categories below KB. HO will lecuive 1UU per cent. deurnoHB allowance.

We are prcpatcd to draw up a scale tor workers getting from As. -/8y- to He. 1 a day and pi escribe rates in detail to cover aJ] other main categories of colliery workers whu arc not covered by the general increase in basic ratea ol wages. The guiding injure in this should be 1 per cent increase over t.iic basic wages. It is hoped that this will smoothen unomnhes.

'^ Our recommendations are made only subject to the increased oosi being met by t\ corresponding mereaae in the Belling price. In this coalfield the royalty payable to the Government is 5 per cent, of the pitsmouth \alue, and allowance of 1/10 will have to be made for this incomputing the increased rolling value. Theie is a suggestion bj the C. P. Government that the royalty rates should be increased from 5 per cent, to 10 per cent of the pitsmouth value If this comes about, the selling rate will have to be levisod again.

We already have jn application before the Government ot India tor mi inciease in selling price of U^ '2 pei i-'jn to compensate for existing increased costs of mining and when the new pnceH are tixt d oui previous ^presentations should also be taken into consideration

The increased wages should onl^s apply trom the date the, nicreabod selling rates come into force, and not from the date of the publication of the report.

There is serious ihssiHirifuction amongst the workein at the bad yualit^ of gtftin supplied and the inadequate Hupplj of cloth and sugnr. Will ihe i'act binding Committee kindly iuipi^s on tho Government jf Indiu the importance nf making improvements in !bi_-U' vital matters

A copy of the representation made k> the 0 P Government an also a oopy of the reply is attached herewith.

The welfare work under the Coal Mines Welfare Commissioner should also he expedited. Tho construction of the maternity and child welfare centres, hospitals and miners' quartern should start at otioe as already these works have been considerably delayed. The scheme to provide adequate supplies of water to the coalfield area should be taken m hand without delay.

We are grateful to the bud Finding (lommitteu for the patient and sympa- thetic hearing; which they ore givinp to our Association.

YoutR faithfully,

(84.)

Mernbere,

Coal Committee,

The C. P and Berur foal Mininp

Association.

I agree to the above augRestiotit- mode by the Coal Oommittoo 0. F and Berar Mining Association presented to the KUCL Finding Committee, subject to the condition that all the above "uggestions will be given effect to from the date of publication of the novrrument d^'iKiop

(9d.) R. S. RmKRa,

President,

p. P. Mine Workers Union,

CbiiijirtwarH, the !20tli June 1947

COLLIERY MAJUB SEWA MANDAL

Head Office. CHANJDA. Branch Offico : Ballarpur, C. V.

Dated Hie lot July 1047.

To

The Fact J?'indiug Oonimittee,

Gamp Ballarpur, 0. 1J.

D"ar Sir,

'•.it,'i careful diBCusmun and uonsiduratiou on the terma oi the agreement urnved between 0 P. Minu AVorlrei^ Union and C. P. and Berar Mining Association, Goal Cummittets, Chhindwnra, tmd presented to the Taot Finding Committee, wo, the I'jpri'bentutivi.H ol tlio Colliery Majur Sewn Mandal, Ohanda, do hereby give tliu conuout to abide by the same terms of agreement, aubjact to the same condition as put forward by Mr, It. S. Ruiker.

Yours faithfully,

P. N. BHIMANWAB,

President.

!"> P. KAWADKAH

Secretary,

(VjlJitir\ MHIUL SLJ\\ > M.miliil

8. 0. AGGAItWAL,

Deputy Secy, to the Gavt. of India.

f u n u a m .D b\ 'iiit AIANAULK or 1'uBLiuAliotJS, D w . u i, I M J U. t*JWNtltH f,\ 1H> MANAlll-fl, GuVLllNMEN! Of lNPIA P E B B S, N lW DELHI, iNUl/l