310

CHAPTER XVI.

number of claims returned as paid by employers. The latter figures
represent only the principal branches of industry affected by the Act
and they are probably incomplete in other minor respects ; but they afford
a sufficiently accurate indication of the rate at which claims have increased.
 The recommendations we have made will tend further to increase
these claims.

Voar

1924
6
months).

1995 |

19926

1097.

Proceedings.

108

629

874

1.9230

Applications for!
Registration.

4R

497

6810

711

Total ve

154

| O56

1 4AR4

1.950

>
fl

14.096 * 15.216

T L
£5

‘No. of claims ..
Rupees .. 11,50,224 16,44,120 18.21,476

11.11.254

1098. |

1929.

1.9060

1.418

9048

1.087

2.9205

2 485

14.827 ' 18.865

10.95.7330

12.60.164

Knowledge of the Law.

It is evident from these figures that Indian workmen and their
dependants are only gradually coming to a realisation of their rights under
the Act, and this process is still far from complete. That there are large
numbers of workmen who do not receive compensation when it is due to
them would be clear, even if other evidence were not available, from the
low proportion of claims made on account of disablement. The ratio of
plaims paid for permanent and temporary disablement to claims on account
of death is much smaller than the ratio of non-fatal to fatal accidents even
when due allowance is made for the effect of the waiting period in excluding
 claims. It is possible that a number of claims are not pressed
because the amounts are trifling, or because the workman has received
other benefits, such as hospital care or medical treatment, or because of
the difficulties in the way of securing payment ; but there must be a considerable
 number of possible claims which are not put forward because of
ignorance of the law. We have given some consideration to possible remedies
 for this state of affairs. We have commented elsewhere on the fact
that in most cases little is done to acquaint workmen with changes in the
law made by the legislature for their express protection or benefit.
When measures of any importance are passed, steps to this end should be
taken by local Governments, by the distribution of translations, or pre
ferably summaries in the vernacular, of the new provisions of the law.
Although a knowledge of the Workmen's Compensation Act is spreading
steadily in industrial areas, it would still be of service if pamphlets
summarising its provisions were made readily available to workmen ;
and if, as we hope, the Act is substantially amended, prompt steps should
be. taken to diffuse information of the amended law to those who are
specially concerned. By such methods. and with more intense work on