Report of the Royal Commission on Labour in India

Bibliographic data

Monograph

Identifikator:: 1850495947

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-233603

Document type:: Monograph

Title:: Report of the Royal Commission on Labour in India

Place of publication:: London

Publisher:: His Majesty's Stationery Off.

Year of publication:: 1931

Scope:: xviii, 580 S.; graph. Darst., Kt.

Digitisation:: 2022

Collection:: Economics Books

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Chapter

Document type:: Monograph

Structure type:: Chapter

Title:: Chapter XV. - Housing of the industrial worker

Collection:: Economics Books

290 CHAFTER XV. other and with Government and employers, each bearing ‘its own share of the burden. As regards the housing situation in Bombay, it is worth considering whether action should not be taken to condemn the old in- sanitary chawls in the mill areas in view of the fact that alternative accommodation has already been provided. This would receive addi- tional justification if the improvements we have suggested in respect of the newer chawls were carried out before the demolition of the older ones; efforts might then be made to encourage particular communities to migrate. We have been informed that the question of establishing an Improvement Trust for Howrah, with similar functions.to the Calcutta Improvement Trust, has recently been under consideration. The task of improving the housing and health conditions in this municipal area is so heavy that we have no hesitation in expressing the opinion that the establishment of such a body is a matter of urgent importance. The industrialisation of this town has developed to such an extent that there can be little doubt that the sale or lease of new sites on acquired land would bring in a considerable annual income, although here also assist- ance would have to be given by Government in the form of loans. No Improvement Trust can be expected to finance schemes of the magnitude of those required in towns like Howrah, Ahmedabad, Cawnpore and Rangoon without being possessed of an adequate annual income. If an Improvement Trust is properly organised, however, it should not be a los- ing proposition, although it naturally requires initial financial assistance in the form of loans. We were particularly struck with the position in Cawnpore. Here the Trust, although it could acquire land for improving roads and for driving through new roads, was apparently unable to ac- quire the adjoining land, the value of which was greatly enhanced by its efforts. The effect was to enrich the slum owner, who contributed nothing to the improvements, while the Trust was deprived of a valuable source of income. We recommend that in all cases Improvement Trusts and similar authorities should be placed in a position to recoup themselves from the enhancement of land values which results from their efforts. Land Acquisition Act. . We received considerable evidence indicating the serious diffi- culties experienced in connection with the acquisition of land for housing schemes initiated either by local bodies or by industrial employers. In a number of instances brought to our notice land emi- nently suitable for the development of housing schemes had been held at ransom by the owners, fantastic values being placed upon it as a result of the construction of factories and other industrial concerns in the neighbourhood. The Land Acquisition Act gives powers to Gov- ernment to acquire land only when, after enquiry, it is satisfied that the land is required “ for the construction of some work and that “ such work is likely to prove useful to the public ”. What is or is not likely to prove useful to the public is a matter which rests entirely with the local Government. These powers are apparently intended to cover a larger variety of objects than those included in the definition of *“ public utility ” contained in the Act of 1863. In practice. however. they are rarely put

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