Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Women Rights in India.

Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar and Women's Rights in India

Progress for the society is measured by progress of women:

Words of 'Champion of Women's Rights in India' - Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on women:

* "I am a great believer in women’s organization. I know that what they can do to improve the condition of the society if they are convinced. In the eradication of social evils they have rendered great services. I will testify to that from my own experience. Ever since I began too work among the depressed classes, I made it a point to carry women along with men." ( In Tamil - பெண்கள் அமைப்பில் மிகுந்த நம்பிக்கையுடையவன் நான். அவர்களை மனம் ஒப்ப செய்துவிட்டால், சமுகத்தின் நிலையை உயர்த்திட அவர்களால் என்ன செய்யமுடியும் என்பது என்னக்கு தெரியும். சமுக அவலங்களை ஒழிப்பதில் அவர்கள் மிகபெரும் சேவை செய்திருகிறார்கள். எனது சொந்த அனுபவத்திலிருந்தே அதை நான் நிரூபிப்பேன். பட்டியலின மக்களிடையே நான் பணியாற்ற ஆரம்பித்த காலத்திலிருந்தே ஆண்களோடு பெண்களையும் உடன் இட்டு செல்லும் பழக்கத்தை மேற்கொண்டேன். )

* "If men have to bear pain like the pain of mother while in the Pre-natal condition and child birth, none of them who begets a child will comply another time in their life". ( In Tamil - குழந்தைப் பேறு சமயத்தில் பெண்கள் பட வேண்டியுள்ள வேதனைகளை ஆண்கள் பட வேண்டியிருந்தால் அவர்களில் யாரும் வாழ்நாளில் ஒரு முறைக்குமேல் குழந்தை பெற இணங்க மாட்டார்கள் )

* "I measure the progress of the community by the degree of progress which women have achieved." ( In Tamil - பெண்கள் அடைந்திருக்கும் முன்னேற்ற அளவை வைத்துதான் ஒரு சமுதாயத்தின் முன்னேற்றத்தை நான் அளவிடுகிரேன் )

* "Women liberation is the human liberation". ( In Tamil - பெண்கள் விடுதலை என்பது மானுட விடுதலையாகும் )

Firstly I wishing you all happy Women's Day with remembering 'Champion of Women's Rights in India' Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. His contribution was great in the field of women's empowerment who advocated for the liberation of women and gender equality in India. If there any persons worked for women's liberation in India, they were none other than Buddha, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, E. V. Ramasamy Periyar and Jyotirao Phule. Without Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, at least whatever so changes the position of Women today in India would be only question mark. There were many leaders fought for the women's Rights in India. Most of them were failed in their action. But Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was the only person who changed the effort via Law. While drafting the Constitution of India, he was the prime mover of the welfare of women. He made the Article 14 to 16 as equal status to woman and also framed many laws for women.

* Hindu Code Bill:
Women are the victim of this evil caste system. They have been carried caste from one generation to another generation. They are taught from a young age that they have to do this and that, are pressured, oppressed, suppressed, forced, whether it is mental torture or something else. In the name of the Caste and the religion, women are tied up with the bondage of superstitious which they carry till their death. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar tried to broke down it in the way of laid down the foundation of concrete by "HINDU CODE BILL".

As the first Law Minister of Independent India, he introduced Women rights as "HINDU CODE BILL" which paved equal rights to man and Woman. It was the greatest ever social reform in India. It is nothing but the declaration of women rights. They are Rights to property, Order of succession to property, marriage, divorce, guardianship. It was by any time a revolutionary measure and first step towards the recognition and empowerment of women in India. By these, a women will have property in her own right and able to dispose of her property. Unfortunately this revolutionary bill was partially dropped by then Prime Minister Nehru because of the orthodoxy Hindu members. Even the woman member Sarojani against for these women rights. Due to this Babasaheb had mentioned it was one of the reasons for his resignation from the Law Minister.

In the Statement by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in explanation of his RESIGNATION from Law Minister of India, " In the second place, I thought it necessary to stay on, for the sake of the Hindu Code. In the opinion of some it may be wrong for me to have held on for the sake of the Hindu Code. I took a different view. The Hindu Code was the greatest social reform measure ever undertaken by the Legislature in this country. No law passed by the Indian Legislature in the past or likely to be passed in the future can be compared to it in point of its significance. To leave inequality between class and class, between sex and sex which is the soul of Hindu Society untouched and to go on passing legislation relating to economic problems is to make a farce of our Constitution and to build a palace on a dung heap. This is the significance I attached to the Hindu Code."

Although Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar could not succeed in getting passed the full Hindu Code Bill, he successfully laid the foundation of equality for the women of India in all spheres of life. Due to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar efforts the women are now holding high positions in all fields.

What irritated me so longer whenever I remember my Twelfth standard Class (2009), English 2nd Lesson "Gandhi - The Ceaseless crusader for women's Rights" of Tamil Nadu Text Book. Mr. Gandhi who life long stinker of orthodox Hindu and Mr. Nehru both they were denied Women's Rights. But today both Gandhi and Nehru shown as Crusader for Women's Rights in India. None of the women organization talks about the contributions of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Even not a single line we can't see such like in the school text books about Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. I never read such like anywhere in my Tamil Nadu Text School books.

Let see what Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's immense striven hard efforts for liberation and empowerment of Indian women. He framed many laws for Women in India as follows,

1) Women Labour welfare fund,
2) Women Labour Protection Act,
3) Maternity Benefit for women Labour bill,
4) Leave Benefit to Piece Workers,
5) Revision of Scale of Pay for Employees,
6) Restoration of Ban on Women Working Underground in Mines,
7) Maintenance allowance from husband on getting legally separation,
8 ) Equal pay for equal work irrespective of the sex:

8a. Maternity Benefit Act:
I don't know how many Indian women knows the contribution of Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's major role for the Maternity Benefits bill in the Bombay legislature in July, 1928 itself for the factory women workers. In fact it was the first Maternity Benefits Act passed in India in 1929 by the Bombay legislature. On this regard he said, "I believe that it is in the interests of the nation that the mother ought to get a certain amount of rest during the pre-natal period and also subsequently. I am prepared to admit this fact because the conservation of the people's welfare is primarily the concern of the Government. And in every country, therefore, where the maternity benefit has been introduced, you will find that the Government has been subjected to a certain amount of charge with regard to maternity benefit. I think, therefore, the benefits contemplated by this bill ought to be given by this Legislature to the poor women who toil in our factories in this Presidency." Subsequently the Madras Maternity Benefit Act was passed by the Madras Legislature Council in 1934 and subsequently in other provinces of India.

As a Labour Minister in the Viceroy executive council between 1942 and 1946, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was instrumental in bringing the Mines Maternity Benefit Bill for women in all over India. Under this act, a woman working in the mine is entitled to maternity benefit for a period of 8 weeks. This period of 8 weeks is divided into two parts of four weeks each, one part preceding delivery and another part succeeding delivery. Later all the acts of Maternity Benefit of various states were repealed and a common Maternity Benefit Act-1961 was adopted by the Central Government for all states in India.

Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar and Maternity Benefit for Women

8b. Equal pay for equal work irrespective of the sex:
Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was the first person who brought "Equal pay for equal work irrespective of the sex" in India in terms of Industrial workers as a Labour Minister in the Viceroy executive council. On this regard he said, "We have also taken care to see, and this is an important point, that women shall be paid the same wages as men. It is for the first time that I think in any industry the principle has been established of equal pay for equal work irrespective of the sex." ( In Tamil: "ஆண்களுக்கு அளிக்கப்படும் அதே ஊதியம் பெண்களுக்கு வழங்கப்பட வேண்டும் என்பதில் நாங்கள் கவனமாக இருந்தோம். இது ஒரு முக்கியமான விசியமாகும். பால் பாகுபாடின்றி சம வேலைக்கு சம ஊதியம் என்னும் கோட்பாடு வேறு எந்த தொழிலும் இல்லாதவாறு இத்தொழில்தான் முதல் முறையாக நிலைநாட்டப்பட்டது" )

While drafting the Indian Constitution, Dr. Babasaheb played major contribution for embodied the Article 39(d) relates the state to strive for securing equal pay for equal work of both men and women in the Part IV of the directive principles of the State Policy.

Voting Rights To All Indian Women:
Even I don't know how many Indian Women's know the contribution of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar who fight for equal rights for women and for their voting rights. Today Our constitution granted voting rights to all Indian women as a right because of him. But before Independent India, it is not easy task for everyone 'right to vote' even men also. Mostly the Right to vote was given only to those the rich, the landed and the tax payers.

E. V. Ramasamy Periyar's contribution for the upliftment of Women also great one. He condemned the lower strata of Women's on the name of superstitious in Religion. He wanted women should be given equal right along with men. On these, he reformed many like Self-respect marriages, Widow-remarriage, Abolition of Child marriages.

However rape, violence against women, gender discrimination, physical abuse are all problems that face more by women in India now-a-days. National Crime Records Bureau, 2001-11 reports that the extent of atrocities committed against Scheduled Class is enormous. It highlights that there have been 15,917 Scheduled Class women raped. How many laws may come these atrocities will be end only when women themselves destroy all these shackles of slavery. I strongly believe that social education and political elevation of women are the foundations for all this change. That’s why Dr. Babasaheb insisted on the education of girls. He strongly believed that if a boy gets education, he is the only person to get educated in a family. Perhaps, if a girl child is educated in a family, the whole family is benefited.

With regards,
Ambeth,
Dharmapuri,
Tamil Nadu.

Reference:
1. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches:
* Volume - 2 : Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in the Bombay Legislature (1927 to 1939)
* Volume - 10: Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar as member of the Governor-General’s Executive Council (1942 - 1946)
* Volume - 14: Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and the Hindu Code Bill.
* Volume 17, Part-III.
2. National Crime Records Bureau, 2001-11 reports.

Jai bheem..!
Long Live Ambedkarism....!!

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar -- Instrumental In Creating The Multi Purpose River Valley Projects and Large Dam Technologies in India.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar -- Instrumental in creating
the Multi Purpose River Valley Projects in India

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar who was instrumental in creating the Multi Purpose River Valley Projects and Large Dam Technologies in India. If there any person who played the most central role in introducing large dam technologies and Multi Purpose Projects into India, the person was none other than Revolutionary Babasaheb Ambedkar. According to Petty minded Indians, Babasaheb is mostly related only with two things. One is ‘Architect of Indian Constitution’ and other as the leader of some particular section. But “Founding Father of Modern India” who contributed in the various field to our nation is totally ignored and hiding.

After all how many Indians know Dr. Babasaheb was instrumental in creating and outlined the projects such as,

1) Damodar Valley project ( the first multipurpose river valley project in India ) in 1944 on the lines of Tennessee Valley Authority,

2) Bhakra-Nangal dam ( India's biggest multipurpose river valley project, Highest gravity dam in India ),

3) The Sone River Valley projects and

4) Hirakud dam ( Longest dam in India )

Babasaheb introduced the idea of establishment of Multipurpose river projects in India who was influenced on the lines of Tennessee Valley project. He was the 1st person in India has make effort for the establishment of Damodar Valley project. He was the pioneer of Multipurpose river projects in India.

Damodar Valley project

a) Damodar Valley project:

Damodar valley is known as the 'Sorrow of Bengal' because of the problems of flooding. To tackle the problem Babasaheb had entrusted the work of planning and designing to the Central Power Board set up the machinery and directed the planners, engineers who executed the plan prepared under his guidance. Till 1946, the responsibility for the Damodar Valley project was under Babasaheb. Afterwards the entire work for the dam was given over to Damodar Development Corporation.

Here I just extracted the address speech of Babasaheb before the representatives of Bengal and Bihar Governments at a Conference held in Calcutta on January 3, 1944 to discuss the means and methods for developing Damodar Valley as a Member, Labour, Irrigation and Electric Power Department in the Executive Council of the Viceroy. He said, "The Damodar project must be a multi-purpose project. We intend that it should not only deal with the problem caused by floods, it should also provide for irrigation, electricity and navigation. Along with the question of a site, these matters have also to be examined."

On April 23 and 24, 1945 at New Delhi under the Chairmanship of the Babasaheb, Rs. 55 crores was recommended to Damodar River Project for starting immediately the construction of the first dam (at Tilaiya). After considering the reports of the central Technical Power Board and the advice of the Tennessee Valley Authority engineers, Ross Reigel and Fred C. Schlemmer, and their associates, Rai Bahadur A. N. Khosia and Mr. M. Narasimhaiya, Chief Engineer, Mysore State, the conference was convinced-of the advisability of pushing forward as rapidly as possible the scheme as a whole. It has accepted the proposal that the dams across the Barakar, tributary of the Damodar, should be at Tilaiya (near Kodarma) and at Maithon, just above its confluence with the main river.

Here I just extract the address speech of Babasaheb before the representatives of Bengal and Bihar Governments at a Conference held in Calcutta on August 23, 1944 to discuss the Preliminary Memorandum on the Damodar Valley Multipurpose Project as a Member, Labour, Irrigation and Electric Power Department in the Executive Council of the Viceroy. He said, "The project ( harnessing the waters of the Damodar River ) is a welcome one to the Government of India. It very clearly shows a fine prospect of the control of the River, a prospect of controlling floods, of securing a fine area for perennial irrigation with resultant insurance against famine and a much needed supply of power. I am sure it will be more than welcome to the Governments of Bengal and Bihar if they realize what the project will mean to them and their people. Accordingly, the Conference decided to take the next step, namely to create machinery for collecting the necessary data to draw up a multi-purpose scheme. On the part of the Government of India, I offered the fullest assistance of technical experts in carrying out this preliminary work. With regard to this Memorandum, I feel it my duty to say, and I am sure in this I am voicing your sentiments, that we are grateful to Mr. Voorduin for the preparation of this draft Memorandum and also to the ready co-operation which was offered to him by the engineering staff of the Bengal Government. Mr. Matthews, the Chairman of the Central Power Technical Board, has also given us the benefit of his advice, and at a later stage, I have no doubt, that we shall receive all the assistance from Mr. Khosla, the Chairman of the Waterways and Navigation Board. I would like to emphasize the need for a quick decision on the points relating to method and procedure. The project is no doubt primarily for the establishment of safety and the development of a multi-purpose river basin project. But it cannot be forgotten that the project is a post-war employment project. As the war is now over on all fronts, we are faced with the problems of peace one of which is to prevent unemployment which, with the sudden cancellation and the reduction of war employment and expenditure, is going to be one of the gravest problems in our domestic economy."

Hirakud dam

b) Multi-purpose Plan for Development of Orissa's Rivers: 

In 1945, the plan outlined under the chairmanship of Dr.Babasaheb, it was decided to invest in the potential benefits of controlling Odisha rivers particularly Mahanadi for the multipurpose use to conserve water, serve irrigation, generating electric power etc., Mr. B. K. Gokhale, Adviser, the then H. E. to the Governor of Orissa, welcoming the plan outlined by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar to invest in the potential benefits of controlling Odisha rivers particularly Mahanadi for the multipurpose use to conserve water, serve irrigation, generating electric power etc., and said: "Orissa is perhaps the most backward part of India and no single project is likely to do more to improve the conditions of the people than the multipurpose development which we have under contemplation. He outlined the history of Orissa up to modern times. Orissa expected that the thought which had been given to planning and regional development would start her on an era of happiness and prosperity."

Dr. Babasaheb in his Presidential address at a conference held in Cuttack on November 8, 1945 between the representatives of the Central Government and the Governments of Orissa, the Central Provinces and the Eastern States, to discuss the possibilities of developing Orissa rivers, “Orissa wants to get rid of the evils of floods. Orissa wants to get rid of malaria and other to use American phraseology ' low-income ' diseases causing ill-health and corroding the stamina of her people. Orissa wants to raise the standard of living of her people and advance their prosperity by irrigation, by navigation and by producing cheap electrical power. All these purposes can fortunately be achieved by one single plan, namely to build reservoirs and store the water which is flowing in her rivers. There is another precious possession which Orissa has, namely her water wealth. The amount of water that passes through the Orissa delta is just vast. The delta comprising roughly the three districts of Cuttack, Puri and Balasore and covering an area of about 8,000 square miles is traversed by a network of distributaries arising mainly from three rivers, the Mahanadi, the Brahmani, and the Bailarani. Two more rivers the Burabalang and the Subarnarekha of relatively lesser importance, also pass through the delta. The three main rivers referred to above drain an area of 69,000 square miles above the delta, lying in the Eastern States, Central Provinces and Bihar. Of these the Mahanadi the largest of the three drains 51,000 square miles. Between them, these three rivers carry each year to the sea a discharge of about 90 million acre feet." Then he continued : "Given the resources, why has Orissa continued to be so poor, so backward and so wretched a province ? The only answer I can give is that Orissa has not found the best method of utilising her water wealth.”

On Conservation of Water:
“It is wrong to think water in excessive quantity is an evil. Water can never be so excessive as to be an evil. Man suffers more from lack of water than from excess of it. The trouble is that nature is not only niggardly in the amount: of water it gives, it is also erratic in its distribution alternating between drought and storm. But this cannot alter the fact that water is wealth. Water being the wealth of the people and its distribution being uncertain, the correct approach is not to complain against nature but to conserve water. If conservation of water is mandatory from the point of view of public good, then obviously the plan of embankments is a wrong plan. It is a mean which does not sub serve the end, namely conservation of water, and must, therefore, be abandoned.”

Bhakra-Nangal dam

c) Bhakra Dam project:
A major initiative was taken by Babasaheb when he was member in-charge of irrigation and power during 1942-46 to take concrete steps to see that the Bhakra Dam project should be taken up on priority. An expert from the United States Bureau of Reclamation in 1944 was invited, who after examining the feasibility report recommended that the dam site was suitable for the construction of a dam with maximum reservoir level at 487.68m and suggested further exploration for foundation and abutments. This work was carried out during 1945-46, while Babasaheb was the Member of Irrigation of the Viceroy’s Council.

The Sone River Valley Project

                    

Just go through the school texts book of Tamil Nadu ( Eg: Old 10th std Matriculation, Geography book page 48 ) or NCERT ( 10th Social Science book, under ‘Contemporary India’ Page 26 ), you can’t find a single word about Babasaheb although he played most role in these projects. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar laid the foundation for water resources and electricity development, the two sectors which are so crucial for the development of India when he was Member, Labour, Irrigation and Electric Power Department in the Executive Council of the Viceroy during 1942- 46. His major achievement was the establishment of two technical organizations, presently known as ‘Central Water Commission’ and ‘Central Electricity Authority’, that have contributed for the development of irrigation and power in the country. He only created the Central Technical Power Board (CTPB) on 8th November 1944. He suggested interlinking of major south Indian rivers.

Ambeth,
Dharmapuri,
Tamil Nadu.

Jai bheem...!!!

Reference:

* Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches:

English Volume 10 : Dr. Ambedkar as member of the Governor-General’s Executive Council (1942-46)

[39. Damodar Valley Scheme - Calcutta Conference.
50. Multi-purpose Development of Damodar Valley.
53. Multi-purpose Plan for development of Orissa's rivers.
55. Proposed evacuation of villagers in the prosecution of the Damodar Scheme.]

“Saviour Of Labour Rights in India” -- Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Broaden Your Knowledge.

Labour Rights, Labour or May Day and Dr. Ambedkar

                      
It is a very tremendous happy for me because my six compiled unknown articles about Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar has reached many people in social media like Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp. Most of the facts about Babasaheb are unknown to the common people, even well educated also. I can proudly say here, after my article I found many changes in the Wikipedia page of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. I feel this as my great respect to Dr. Babasaheb and shut the mouths of half-baked fellows, who always keep shouting against him and branded him as a leader of some section. Thank you all for supporting…!!!

If there any person who secured the rights of Labour's in India, the person was none other than “Founding Father of Modern India”  Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Of course today there are thousands of labour leaders in India. But without Babasaheb at least whatever so today the rights secured by the Labours in India would be only question mark. If Dr. Babasaheb had born in any other nation, then concerned nation would have taken pride on him and would have provided countless awards for his contribution in the various field to the nation. He is one of the persons in India with multi-dimensional. After all he was born in ‘India’. So, we can not expect anything from here.
Anyway as an Indian and a youth of this nation, I am very proud to share about what Babasaheb did to the Labourers as a Labour leader and as the Labour Member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council between 1942 and 1946. He sworn as the Labour Member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council in July 20th, 1942. Be Patience and read the whole article. 1) Reduction in Factory Working Hours (8 hours duty):

Today the working hours per day in India is about 8 hours. Really I do not know how many Indians know that Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was the Saviour of Labour's who brought '8 hours working' in India. He successfully changed the working time from 12 hours a day to 8 hours, and became a light for workers in India. He brought it on the 7th session of Indian Labour Conference in New Delhi, November 27, 1942. The Indian Labour Conference, consisting of the representatives of Central and Provincial Governments, important states and employers and workers organisations unanimously supported the principle of the 48-hour week in India's factories at its meeting.

The Text of speech of Dr. Babasaheb, "It emphasised that the present was an opportune moment for taking up this question because there was a need for giving relief to factory workers. Moreover, shorter hours would lead to greater employment. The memorandum made it clear that the reduction in hours should not be accompanied by any reduction in basic wages or dearness allowances unless there was a fall in prices"

May Day and Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar

                  
2) Tripartite Labour Conference:
On August 7, 1942 he called for the Tripartite Labour Conference in New Delhi. The objects were namely, the laying down of a procedure for the settlement of industrial disputes and the discussion of all matters of All-India importance as between Labour and Capital. The great achievement of the Tripartite Conference is the fundamental change it has brought about in the outlook of Government and of Employers and of Employees on labour problems, Establishment of Employment Exchanges, and Collection of Statistics under the Industrial Statistics Act.
The Text of speech of Dr. Babasaheb,"I do claim credit for the Tripartite Labour Conference, that, if we have done nothing more, we have at least done one thing, namely, to induce, if not to compel, the representatives of employees to meet the representatives of employers and discuss matters of the utmost and gravest importance." 3) Industrial Disputes: Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was instrumental in setting up the two bodies 1) Plenary Conference and 2) Standing Advisory Committee to discuss the industrial problems of Labour Welfare both in their legislative and administrative aspects and also to advise the Government of India as to the most satisfactory line of action in dealing with those problems.
4) Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar framed many laws for Women Labourers in India: 1. Mines Maternity Benefit Act, 2. Women Labour welfare fund, 3. Women and Child Labour Protection Act, 4. Maternity Benefit for women Labour, 5. Restoration of Ban on Employment of Women on Underground Work in Coal Mines,
6. Equal pay for equal work irrespective of the sex: On this regard he said, "We have also taken care to see, and this is an important point, that women shall be paid the same wages as men. It is for the first time that I think in any industry the principle has been established of equal pay for equal work irrespective of the sex."

5) Compulsory Recognition of Trade Unions: Indian Trade Unions Act was enacted in 1926. This act helped only to register the trade unions, not approved by the government. On 8 November, 1943 he brought the Indian Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill for compulsory recognition of trade unions. The Bill had three important features. They are to compel an employer to recognize a trade union, to imposes certain conditions on a trade union in order to make the trade union, to make non-recognition by an employer of a trade union, which has observed all the conditions prescribed in this measure and which has therefore qualified itself for recognition, an offence which is made punishable by law. 6) Employment Exchange in India:
Dr. Babasaheb was instrumental in bringing the establishment of employment exchanges. The Employment Exchanges was set up to helped the resettlement and employment of demobilized Services personnel and discharged war workers during the transition period. It also helped the mutual benefit to employers and employment-seekers and will ensure satisfactory distribution of manpower among various branches of production. 
7) Employees State Insurance (ESI): ESI helps the workers with medical care, medical leave, physically disabled during working injuries as compensation Insurance for providing various facilities. Babasaheb enacted and brought it for the benefit of workers. Actually India only brought ‘Insurance Act’ as the first nation among the South Asian countries. Credit goes to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar for the ESI concept. 8 ) Finance Commission of Indian reports:
The original source of reference for all the Finance Commission of India reports in a way, are based on Dr. Babasaheb’s Ph.D thesis, "The Evolution of Provincial Finance in British India", written in 1923. The man who started the provision for finance commission every 5 years in the Indian Constitution was none other than Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. 9) Reserve Bank of India: The Reserve Bank of India was conceptualized based on the guidelines presented by Dr. Babasaheb to the Hilton Young Commission in 1925. His Ph.D thesis, "The Problem of the Rupee- Its Problems and Its Solution” was the reference tool and guidelines for the RBI Act 1934. 

10) Minimum Wages:
For fixing minimum wages for labour, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was instrumental in drafting legislation on November 28, 1942.

11) Coal and Mica Mines Provident Fund:
* At the time, Coal Industry played a vital role in our country’s economy. Due to this, Dr.Babasaheb enacted the Coal Mines Safety (Stowing) Amendment Bill for the benefit of the workers on January 31st, 1944.
* On 8th April 1945, he brought the Mica Mines Labour Welfare Fund which helped the workers with housing, water supplies, education, entertainment, improvement of educational facilities and standards of living among the workers, including nutrition, amelioration of social conditions and the provision of recreation and transport facilities, the improvement of public health and sanitation, the prevention of disease, the provision of medical facilities.

12) Post-war Development of Electric Power in India: For the problems relating to the post-war development, Lord Linlithgow was set up the Reconstruction Committee of Council under the chairmanship of J. P. Srivastava. The Reconstruction Committee of Council was set up five different Reconstruction Committees. Among these committee, (Reconstruction Policy Committee) Public Works and Electric Power was under the chairmanship of Dr. Babasaheb. Problems relating to the post-war development of electric power in India were discussed by the Reconstruction Policy Committee. This Committee studied the problems connected with electric power and to make a recommendation as to the best way of solving them. 

Dr. Babasaheb emphasized that the country needed “cheap and abundant electricity”, without which no effort for industrialization could succeed and development of irrigation and electric power were essential to raise agricultural productivity. 

Dr. Babasaheb was instrumental in creating the department of power and advocated autonomous state electricity boards. He was also of the opinion that the central government should have the option to participate directly in the production and supply of electricity. In the early 1980s the concept of regional grids which was suggested by Dr. Babasaheb, was being extended to the creation of national 'Grid System'. His initiatives subsequently led to the creation of a Power Supply Department at the Centre.

On October 25, 1943 at New Delhi he said, "I emphasise these considerations because what India wants is an assured supply of power, cheap power and abundant power." He added electricity should be a purely provincial subject. Further, "I make a few observations pointing out the significance of and the ultimate objective that lies behind the need for electrical development in India ? It is necessary that those who are placed in charge of the subject should have the fullest realization of its significance and its objective. If you agree with me in this I will request you to ask yourselves the question, ' Why do we want cheap and abundant electricity in India ? ' The answer is that without cheap an abundant electricity no effort for the industrialization of India can succeed. This answer brings out only a part of the significance of the work this Committee has to undertake."

13) Indian Statistical Law: In 1942, Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar passed the Indian Statistical Act. Later D.K. Paisendry ( Former Deputy Principal, Information Officer, Government of India) said in his book, without Dr.Babasaheb’s Indian Statistical Act he could not formulated the Labor conditions , their wage rates, other Income , Inflation , debt , housing , employment , deposits and other funds , labour disputes.

14) Labour Welfare Funds: Dr.Babasaheb set up an Advisory Committee to advise on matters arising out of the Labour Welfare under B.P. Agarkar. Later he promulgated it on January, 1944.
15) Technical Training Scheme and Skilled Workers:
He was instrumental in set up the best Technical Training Scheme for Workers in India. On August 24, 1944 in Calcutta, " No plan for the future development of the country can be deemed to be complete which does not provide for technical and scientific training. This is the age of Machine and it is only those countries in which technical and scientific training has risen to the highest pitch that will survive in the struggle that will commence when the war is over, for maintaining decent standards of living for their people. The Technical Training Scheme not only maintained but extended all over the country and become a permanent part of the country's educational system".

16) Foundation for Water resources and Electricity development in India:
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar laid the foundation for water resources and electricity development, the two sectors which are so crucial for the development of India when he was Member, Labour, Irrigation and Electric Power Department in the Executive Council of the Viceroy during 1942- 1946. His major achievement was the establishment of two technical organizations, presently known as ‘Central Water Commission’ and ‘Central Electricity Authority’, that have contributed for the development of irrigation and power in the country. 

The proposal for creation of Central Irrigation, Waterways Advisory Board was approved by Babasaheb in September 1944. Subsequently, it became Central Waterways, Irrigation, and Navigation Commission (CWINC) and was approved by Dr.Babasaheb in April 1945. It became Central Water Power, Irrigation and Navigation Commission (CWPINC) on 16th January 1948 and subsequently it became Central Water and Power Commission (CWPC) in April 1951. It was bifurcated into Central Water Commission and Central Electricity Authority in October 1974.

He only created the Central Technical Power Board (CTPB) on 8th November 1944 for power system development, hydro power station sites, hydro-electric surveys, analysing problems of electricity generation and thermal power station investigation which was subsequently merged with CWPINC and became Central Water and Power Commission (CWPC) in April 1951.

He laid the foundation for the development of infrastructure in India such as electric power, irrigation, communication, roads and transport services and technical manpower were treated as prerequisites for industrial and agricultural development. He suggested interlinking of major south Indian rivers. He was man of Vision and foresight. While drafting the constitution of India, he has not put water resources and management entirely in the state list but he had concluded this subject under the provision of central control.

17) Instrumental in creating the Multi Purpose River Valley Projects and Large Dam Technologies in India:

Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar who was the Instrumental in creating the Multi Purpose River Valley Projects and Large Dam Technologies in India. If there any person who played the most central role in introducing large dam technologies and Multi Purpose Projects into India, the person was none other than Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. According to Petty minded Indians, Babasaheb is mostly related only with two things. One is ‘Architect of Indian Constitution’ and other as the leader of some particular section. But “Founding Father of Modern India” who contributed in the various field to our nation is totally ignored and hiding.

Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar and Multipurpose River Valley projects in India

             
After all how many Indians know Dr.Babasaheb was instrumental in creating and outlined the projects like, 1) Damodar Valley project ( the first multipurpose river valley project in India ) in 1944 on the lines of Tennessee Valley Authority, 2) Bhakra-Nangal dam ( India's biggest multipurpose river valley project, Highest gravity dam in India ), 3) The Sone River Valley projects and 4) Hirakud dam ( Longest dam in India )

Babasaheb introduced the idea of establishment of Multipurpose river projects in India who was influenced on the lines of Tennessee Valley project. He was the 1st person in India has make effort for the establishment of Damodar Valley project. He was the pioneer of Multipurpose river projects in India. a) Damodar Valley project: Damodar valley is known as the 'Sorrow of Bengal' because of the problems of flooding. To tackle the problem Babasaheb had entrusted the work of planning and designing to Central Power Board set up the machinery and directed the planners, engineers who executed the plan prepared under his guidance. Till 1946, the responsibility for the Damodar Valley project was under Babasaheb. Afterwards the entire work for the dam was given over to Damodar Development Corporation.
Here I just extract the address speech of Babasaheb before the representatives of Bengal and Bihar Governments at a Conference held in Calcutta on January 3 , 1944 to discuss the means and methods for developing Damodar Valley as a Member, Labour, Irrigation and Electric Power Department in the Executive Council of the Viceroy. He said, "The Damodar project must be a multi-purpose project. We intend that it should not only deal with the problem caused by floods, it should also provide for irrigation, electricity and navigation. Along with the question of a site, these matters have also to be examined."
On April 23 and 24, 1945 at New Delhi under the Chairmanship of the Dr. Babasaheb, Rs. 55 crores was recommended to Damodar River Project for starting immediately the construction of the first dam (at Tilaiya). After considering the reports of the Central Technical Power Board and the advice of the Tennessee Valley Authority engineers, Ross Reigel and Fred C. Schlemmer, and their associates, Rai Bahadur A. N. Khosia and Mr. M. Narasimhaiya, Chief Engineer, Mysore State, the conference was convinced-of the advisability of pushing forward as rapidly as possible the scheme as a whole. It has accepted the proposal that the dams across the Barakar, tributary of the Damodar, should be at Tilaiya (near Kodarma) and at Maithon, just above its confluence with the main river.

b) Multi-purpose Plan for Development of Orissa's Rivers: In 1945, the plan outlined under the chairmanship of Dr.Babasaheb, it was decided to invest in the potential benefits of controlling Odisha rivers particularly Mahanadi for the multipurpose use to conserve water, serve irrigation, generating electric power etc., Mr.B.K. Gokhale, Adviser, the then H. E. to the Governor of Orissa, welcomed the plan outlined by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar to invest in the potential benefits of controlling Odisha rivers particularly Mahanadi for the multipurpose use to conserve water, serve irrigation, generating electric power etc., and said: " Orissa is perhaps the most backward part of India and no single project is likely to do more to improve the conditions of the people than the multipurpose development which we have under contemplation. He outlined the history of Orissa up to modern times. Orissa expected that the thought which had been given to planning and regional development would start her on an era of happiness and prosperity."

c) Bhakra Dam project: A major initiative was taken by Babasaheb when he was member in-charge of irrigation and power during 1942-46 to take concrete steps to see that the Bhakra Dam project should be taken up on priority. An expert from the United States Bureau of Reclamation in 1944 was invited, who after examining the feasibility report recommended that the dam site was suitable for the construction of a dam with maximum reservoir level at 487.68 m and suggested further exploration for foundation and abutments. This work was carried out during 1945-46, while Babasaheb was the Member of Irrigation of the Viceroy’s Council.
18) Dearness Allowance (DA) 19) Holidays with Pay for Factory Workers 20) Health Insurance for Industrial Workers 21) The Legal Strike. 22) Provident Fund Act. 23) Revision of Scale of Pay for Employees. Babasaheb believed that caste is not merely the division of labour but division of labourers based upon the graded inequality. Further in his work ‘Annihilation of Caste’, Babasaheb said, “ In no other country is the division of labour accompanied by this gradation of labourers. There is also a third point of criticism against this view of the Caste System. This division of labour is not spontaneous; it is not based on natural aptitudes. Social and individual efficiency requires us to develop the capacity of an individual to the point of competency to choose and to make his own career. This principle is violated in the Caste System in so far as it involves an attempt to appoint tasks to individuals in advance, selected not on the basis of trained original capacities, but on that of the social status of the parents. Looked at from another point of view this stratification of occupations which is the result of the Caste System is positively pernicious. Industry is never static. It undergoes rapid and abrupt changes. With such changes an individual must be free to change his occupation. Without such freedom to adjust himself to changing circumstances it would be impossible for him to gain his livelihood. Now the Caste System will not allow Hindus to take to occupations where they are wanted if they do not belong to them by heredity. If a Hindu is seen to starve rather than take to new occupations not assigned to his Caste, the reason is to be found in the Caste System. By not permitting readjustment of occupations, caste becomes a direct cause of much of the unemployment we see in the country. As a form of division of labour the Caste system suffers from another serious defect. The division of labour brought about by the Caste System is not a division based on choice. Individual sentiment, individual preference has no place in it. It is based on the dogma of predestination.”

The speech delivered by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Member for Labour, at the first session of the Plenary Labour Conference in New Delhi, Monday, September 6 1944: "It will not be enough to make industrial development of India as our goal. We shall have to agree that any such industrial development shall be maintained at a socially desirable level. It will not be enough to bend our energies for the production of more wealth in India. We shall have to agree not merely to recognise the basic right of all Indians to share in that wealth as a means for a decent and dignified existence but to devise ways and means to insure him against insecurity."

Ambeth,
Dharmapuri,
Tamil Nadu.
[30 April 2014]
Jai bheem..! Long Live Ambedkarism....!!

Labour Statue in Chennai

                Reference:

1. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches:
* Volume 10 - Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar as member of the Governor-General’s Executive Council (1942-1946).
* Volume 1 - Annihilation of Caste.
2. A Tamil article by Tamil Maraiyan.