Special Power News-Click issue (14042023) �On the eve of Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s 132^nd Birth Anniversary

Bharat Ratna

DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR’s Contribution to various sectors including

Indian Power Sector

Compiled by

Vijay L Sonavane

Date: 14 April 2023

Thought for the day: “Freedom” is a must!!!

• “A person, whose mind is not free though he may not be in chains, is a slave, not a free man.
• One, whose mind is not free, though he may not be in prison, is a prisoner and not a free man.
• One whose mind is not free though alive, is no better than dead.
• Freedom of mind is the proof of one’s existence.
• We must break the chains, once & forever.”

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Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Family Background

• Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
• Born on 14^th April 1891 - 6^th Dec 1956: (Lfe span: 65years)
• Born in the British-founded town & Military Cantonment of Mhow (महूँ) in  Central Provinces now in MP
• Mhow has been renamed as Dr. Ambedkar Nagar
• He was the 14th & last child of Ramji Maloji Sakpal & Bhimabai. 
• His family was of Marathi background from Ambavade (Mandangad Tahsil) in Ratnagiri Dist.
• His Brahmin teacher, Mahadev Ambedkar, who was very much fond of him, changed his surname from 'Ambavadekar' to his own surname 'Ambedkar' in school records.

Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar ‘s Birth place: Mhow

MP Govt has built a Grand memorial at Mhow on

NH3 (Mumbai –Agra highway)

Dr. Babasaheb’s Educational Background

• 1902: Elementary Education: Satara, Maha
• 1907: SSC : Elphinstone High School, Bombay
• 1909: Inter: Elphinstone College, Bombay: Persian & English
• 1913: BA (Political Science & Economics) Bombay University, from Elphinstone College: Econimics & Political Science (First Dalit to get the degree)
• He took employment with Baroda State Govt.
• 1913: Awarded a Baroda State Scholarship of £11.50 per month for three years under a scheme established by Sayajirao Gaekwad III Baroda, that was designed to provide opportunities for his postgraduate education at Columbia University in US
• 1915: MA (Economics) from Columbia University,: Sociology, History, Philosophy, Anthropology & Politics as the other subjects of study Thesis: “Ancient Indian Commerce”

Columbia University

New York, USA

• 1916: Completed the second thesis “National Dividend of India: A Historic & Analytical Study” for second M.A.
• On 9^th May 1916, he left for London, to read his paper “Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis & Development” in a seminar conducted by the Anthropologist Alexander Goldenweiser. (Anthropology: Study of human beings)
• Oct 1916: Enrolled for  Bar-at-Law course at Gray's Inn, & at the same time enrolled at the London School of Economics, where he started working on a Doctoral thesis.
• 1917: Ph D from Columbia University
• June 1917: had returned to India because his scholarship from Baroda ended
• 30^th Sept 1920: Bar-at-Law “Gray inn” London

Alexander Goldenweiser

• 1921: M.Sc: , London School of Economics, London.
• Thesis: “Provincial Decentralization of Imperial Finance in British India”
• 1922-23: Spent time in reading Economics in the University of Bonn in West Germany
• Nov. 1923: D. Sc. (Economics) : London School of Economics, London. Thesis: “The Problem of the Rupee: Its origin & its solution” He revealed how the relationship of Rs. to Pound was maintained in the interest of the British
• 1st Indian who graduated D.Sc. in Economics at London School of Economics, UK
• 5^th June 1952: L.L.D (Honoris Causa) Columbia University, New York: For HIS achievements, Leadership & authoring the “Constitution of India” (Third Doctorate)
• 12^th Jan 1953: D.Litt (Honoris Causa): Osmania University, Hyderabad: For HIS achievements, Leadership & writing the “Constitution of India” (Fourth Doctorate)

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(Dr Babasheb: The Most educated person in India having 30 Degrees & the highest educated Indian Economist)

DR. BABASAHEB: An eminant Economist

• An eminent economist: contributed substantially to formulation of “post-2^nd World war economic development plan”, in General & Labour, Water Resources & Electric Power development plans in Particular
• Architect of the Indian Constitution & more importnatly as an emancipator of the Poor & Deprived.
• A crusader against caste system, Social discrimination & a valiant fighter for the down-trodden

US President Obama said “Dr. Ambedkar was the Martin Luther King of India”

Martin Luthar King (Jr)

Jan 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968

DR. BABASAHEB: An Extraordinarly multifaceted Human being

• Dr. Babasaheb: Indian Jurist, Political Leader, philosopher, anthropologist, Historian, Orator, Editor & Economist
• He had rightly equated Industrialization with modern Economic development
• Made Outstanding Contribution to Indian Power Sector & Irrigation Sector
• Inspired modern Buddhist Movement, converted to Buddhism on 14^th Oct 1956 & provided a spark for conversion of hundreds of thousands of members to Buddhism.
• Posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna, in 1990 for his overall outstanding costrbutions

A few IMP Events in the life of Dr. Babasaheb

• 1932-34: Member of Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) set up for “Constitutional system Improvements”
• 1935: Appointed as Principal, Govt. Law Collage Mumbai
• 1935: Established “Mumbai Kamagar Sangh” for Mumbai Municipal Corporation workers.
• Aug 1936: Established Swatantra Majur party” for 1937 General Elections
• 1942: Established “Scheduled Cast Federation Party” at Nagpur
• July 1942: Appointed as Member (Labour, Irrigation & Power) Executive Council of Viceroy
• 1945: Established Peoples’ Education Society
• 29^th Aug 1947: India’s First Law Minister. Took over as Chairman of “Constitution Committee”

• June 1950: Established Milind College in Aurangabad: Foundation Stone laid by the then President of India Hon Rajendra Prasad
• 5^th Feb 1951: presented Hindu Code Bill in the Parliament
• 27^th Sept 1951: Resigned from Cabinet after President refused to sign on the Resolution

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• 5^th July 1952: Awarded by Columbia University, US prestigious Doctor of Philosophy
• 1952: Elected from Mumbai State as Rajya Sabha MP
• 1953: Established “Siddartha College” at Mumbai
• Dec 1954: attended 3^rd World Baudhha Conference at Rangoon (Brahma Desh)
• 1955: Established “Indian Baudhha Mahasabha”
• 14^th Oct 1956: Took Bauddha Dhrama Diksha at Nagpur. Established Republican party out of Scheduled cast Federation
• 20^th Nov. 1956: Delivered Speech at the 4^th World Bauddha Conference at Kathmandu (Nepal), on “Bauddha and Karl Max”
• 6^th Dec 1956: Maha Parinirvan at New Delhi
• 14^th April 1990: Posthumously Awarded “BHARAT RATNA” (after 23 (+)Years of his demise)

Dr. Babasaheb’s Views on Levying taxes

• “It is very difficult to have proper taxation policies, as Govt. which depend on peoples’ Vote to govern, would be always hesitant to mobilize the needed resources through requisite taxation
• At the same time the Govt. cannot take measures to reduce public expenditure by enforcing administrative economies.”
• Result was that “chances of an early equilibrium in provincial finances are very small.”

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(Though Dr. Ambedkar expressed these views as early as in 1940s, one wonders whether Dr. Ambedkar is talking of the present status of State of affairs in my country:

No tax increase/ Electricity Tariff rise in the Election year to attarct voters)

Dr. Babasaheb: IMP Laws for Women labours in India

• Women Labor welfare fund
• Women & Child, Labor Protection Act
• Maternity Benefit for women Labour,
• Restoration of Ban on Employment of Women on Under Ground Work in Coal Mines

Major interventions by Dr. Babasaheb

• Post war Issues: re-establishing the economy; including improvement in AG, development of IND, rehabilitation & re- deployment of defense services etc.
• Problem was lack of basic Physical Infrastructure itself & how to create & develop new infrastructure. (Electric Power, Irrigation, Road & Transport & Communication services)
• Need: for a Long term plan for building up of basic physical infrastructure, which was the main objective & strategy of the 5- year plans (which was discontinued by some Govts)

Dr. Ambedkar: as a Member (Labour, Irrigation & Power) Executive Council of Viceroy, during 1942-46

• Viceroy established “Reconstruction Committee of Council” (RCC).
• Dr. Babasaheb was a Member of RCC & was the President of "Policy Committee for Irrigation & Power”.
• He was directly involved in framing of the objectives & strategy of Economic Planning and Water & Electric Power Policy.
• He said: “Water & Electricity are the basic prerequisites for IND & AG development. We need to give Top Priority for Technical manpower in Water Resources & Electricity”

Major contributions by Dr. Babasaheb

• 1942-46: Member (Labor) of Viceroy’s Executive Council
• 27^th Nov. 1942: change in the daily working time from 12/14 hours to 8 hours (Savior of Labors in India)
• 1945-46: Dr. Babasaheb was instrumental in bringing establishment of National Employment Agency (Employment Exchanges: which now are almost disfunctional.)
• Instrumental for tripartite mechanism of settling Labor issues thro’ Trade Unions, Labors & Govt. representatives
• Introduced Skill Development Initiative in Govt. sector (now, SDIS of GOI)
• Introduction of Employees’ State Insurance (ESI): for helping the workers with medical care, medical leave, Compensation for physically disabled workers getting injuries during working.
• Introduced Dearness Allowance (DA) for Workers.
• Labor Welfare Fund: Dr. Babasaheb set up an Advisory Committee to advise on matters arising out of the Labor Welfare
• Dr. Babasaheb started the provision for a Finance Commission; every five years, in the Constitution

Recognizing the importance of High Level Technical Authorities:

• Sept 1944: Proposal for creation of Central Irrigation, Waterways Advisory Board was approved by Dr. Ambedkar
• On 8^th Nov. 1944: he approved the proposal to create Central Technical Power Board, (CTPB) for Electricity Development & analyzing problems of HYD Gen & THM Power stations
• Both Proposals moved by Dr. Babasaheb were approved by the Viceroy, within two days. (such was the faith of Viceroy in Babasaheb’s abilty)
• April 1945: CTPB became Central Waterways, Irrigation, & Navigation Commission (CWINC).

Formation of CWPC🡪 CWC & CEA

• 16^th Jan 1948: CWINC was merged with Central Water Power, Irrigation & Navigation Commission (CWPINC)
• In April 1951, CWPINC became Central Water & Power Commission (CWPC)
• Further, CWPC was bifurcated into Central Water Commission (CWC) & Central Electricity Authority (CEA)
• Thus, credit of Establishment of Apex Technical Organizations CWC & CEA, which have contributed substantially for the development of Irrigation & Power in India for last 75 years, goes to none other than Dr. Babasaheb .

Dr. Babasaheb’s Irrigation Policy (1942-46)

• He introduced the Concept of River Valley Authority (Inter-State Rivers) and Regional & Multipurpose development of river valley basin as a whole covering Irrigation, Power, Food control, Navigation, & Drinking Water.
• Aug.1944: Experts from US Bureau of Reclamation was invited, for Drinking Water Conference; who after examining recommended that Bhakra dam site is suitable for construction
• Dr. Babasheb’s initiatives: Development of major projects like Damodar Valley, Mahanadi, Bhakra Nangal, Hirakud & Sone River valley Project were taken up

Bhakra Dam

• Dr. Babasaheb played major role in introducing Large Dam Technologies into India
• He strongly desired that Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) Project (for controlling flood on wild & eratic Damodar River) should be developed on the lines of Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
• DVC developed & expanded its infrastructure to six THM PS (7410 MW) & three HEPs with a capacity of 147 MW.
• Presently DVC has 49 sub-stations & receiving stations more than 8900-circuit km T&D lines. DVC has also four dams, a barrage and a network of canals (2494 km) that play an effective role in water management. The construction of check dams, development of forests & farms and upland and wasteland treatment developed by DVC play a vital role in eco conservation & ENV management.
• Dr Babasaheb also took concrete steps to see that Bhakra Nagal Dam project should be taken up on priority.

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DVC Hydro Project

• Agreement for Bhakra Nangal project had been signed by the then Punjab Revenue Minister, Sir Chhotu Ram in Nov 1944 with Raja of Bilaspur & finalised the project plan on 8 Jan 1945.
• Preliminary works commenced in 1946. Construction of the dam started in 1948;
• PM Nehru poured the first bucket of concrete into the dry riverbed of the Sutlej on 17 Nov 1955, as a symbolic initiation of the work. The dam was completed by end of 1963. Successive stages were completed by early 1970s.
• Dr Babasaheb was of the opinion that Krishna, Godavari & Tapi river waters should not go waste into the sea & he had even suggested inter-linking of these rivers (K/G/T)
• Dr. Babasaheb emphasized on the significance & need for “Electric Grid System”, which is now working successfully, from 30 Dec 2013 (One Nation, One Grid) .

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Dr Ambedkar’s footsteps on Reforms

As a Minister in the Viceroy’s Cabinet (1942-1946), he handled portfolios in Labour, Water Resources & Power Dept.

• In his thoughts on AG in “Small Holdings in India & their Remedies” (1917) & “States & Minorities” (1947), he said:
• “Large Holding of lands by a few people, is an acute problem in India”.

Dr Babasaheb suggested:

• Collective farming, Provision of credit to poor farmers
• Water, seeds & fertilizers to farmers by Govt
• Economic holding of land or its equal distribution,
• Cultivation of wastelands: by allotting wastelands to landless labours
• Industrialization, Minimum wages to labours,
• Control & Regulation of Private lenders.
• Introduction of “Bombay Money Lenders Bill (1938)”, Abolition of the ‘Khoti’ system (1949) ‘Mahar Vatan’ (1959) stand as success stories of Dr Ambedkar’s movement.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s views: on � Constitution Drafting Committee

• Observing his role in the Constituent Assembly, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the President of Constituent Assembly said:
• “Sitting in the Chair & watching the proceedings from day to day, I have realized as nobody else could have, with what zeal & devotion the members of the Drafting Committee and especially its Chairman, Dr. Ambedkar, in spite of his indifferent health, have worked…
• Dr Babasheb has not only justified his selection but has added luster to the work which he has done”….
• In fact during this work Dr Babasaheb studied Constitutions of over 60 Countries

May 8, 1950 being sworn in

as independent India's

first Law minister

In Nov 1949, in his last address before the Constituent Assembly Dr. Ambedkar asked, “What does Social Democracy mean?”

• In reply he said, “It means a way of life which recognizes Liberty, Equality & Fraternity as the principles of life.
• These principles are not to be treated as separate items in a trinity.
• They form a Union of trinity in the sense that to divorce one from the other, is to defeat the very purpose of democracy.
• Without equality, liberty would produce the supremacy of the few over the many.(???) (of late this came true)
• Equality without liberty would kill individual initiative.
• Without fraternity, liberty & equality could not become a natural course of things.”

Trinity

FRATERNITY: Brotherhood

Dr. Babasaheb & Electricity Sector

Formation of CEA & CWC:

• Central Electricity Authority (CEA): Apex National body for power sector playing a pivotal role in developing Electric power supply industry from 1362 MW in 1947 to 382.15 GW, as 31 March 2021 (280 times growth in 74 years)
• Central Water Commission (CWC) : plays very important role in respect of interstate issues related to water resources & cooperation between India-Nepal, India-Bangladesh & India-Bhutan. Dr Babasaheb also advocated that
• GOI should set up power projects, with creation of Central Sector Agencies like NTPC, NHPC, DVC, PGCIL etc.
• Concept of Regional Grids: which started in 1970s & was extended to creation of National Grid (on 30^th Dec 2013) (One Nation One Grid)

Acts in Electricity Sector

• EA 1910: Licenses for Gen /Trans/Dist. Only Urban areas covered.
• (Tata / BSES / Calcutta Elect Supply Co. / Surat Elect Supply Co/ BEST Mumbai)

Electricity (Supply) Act 1948:

• Major portion of Electricity (Supply) Act 1948 was drafted personnaly by Dr. Babasaheb.
• His dream of Social Democracy is seen in various clauses of the Act:
• Formation of SEBs for “Electricity to all”
• Formation of CEA
• Rural Electrification: for “Green Revolution”
• Tariff setting by State Govt.
• of late tariff was used as a tool to win Elections by all political parties, leading to huge cross-subsidization & financial stress on SEBs

Preamble of the Electricity (Supply) Act 1948 provided for:

• Rationalization of production & supply of electricity;
• Taking measures conducive to Electricity development; & Matters incidental thereto.

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Statement of Objects & Reasons (Electricity (Supply) Act 1948)

Coordinated development of Electricity Sector in India on a Regional basis is a matter of increasingly urgent importance for post-war re-construction & development

• Need for a coordinated system, with Gen concentrated in the most efficient units & bulk supply of energy, Centralized under the direction & control of One Authority is important factor that impedes the healthy & economical growth of Electricity Development.
• Necessity for constitution of Semi-autonomous bodies like State Electricity Boards, (SEBs) which are likely to be most suitable organizations to administer the 'Grid System‘; working on “quasi-commercial” lines

(Please note: Intent of “Quasi-Commercial” operation was subsequently forgotten by the Political Rulers in the country for winning Elections)

(EA 1910 & E(S) Act 1948 have been repealed after enactment of Electricity Act 2003)

Prof. Dr. Sukhadeo Thorat (Ex Chairman UGC)’s Opinion on Dr. Babasaheb’s Contribution

• “Emphasis has been increasingly placed by Dr Babasaheb on:
• Engineering practices,
• Hydrological unity of a river basin,
• Treating the basin as the unit of development of its water resources.
• Credit for multi-purpose projects (Irrigation & Electricity Gen together) goes to the leadership of Dr Ambedkar.

Prof. Dr. Sukhadeo Thorat (born July 12, 1949) is an economist & was the former Chairman of University Grants’ Commission.

• Keeping in view the enhanced magnitude of such projects, it was keenly felt that the Technical Expert bodies available then, at the Centre were not adequate.
• Hence, Dr Ambedkar approved “Central Waterway & Irrigation Commission (CWINC) in March 1944.
• Thus, Dr Ambedkar helped the Nation to build a strong Technical Organization for development of India.
• National Power Grid system also came out of Dr. Babasaheb’s vision”
• “If today our Power Engineers are going abroad for training, the credit goes to Dr Ambedkar again, who as a leader of Labour Department, formulated the policy to train our best engineers, overseas”
• Credit of our development in Power sector, thus goes to Dr. Babasaheb’s Vision. Hat’s off to the great Visonary of the Country.

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Prof. Amartya Sen said

• Prof. Amartya Sen, 6th Indian to get Prestigious Nobel Prize has indicated in a lecture session: �
• “Dr. Ambedkar is my Father in Economics. He is true celebrated champion of the underprivileged. He deserves more than what he has achieved today. …..

His contribution in the field of Economics is marvelous and will be remembered forever”

Salute to Dr. Babasaheb: “Father of Modern India” & Revolutionary

• If our houses are illuminated & if our fields are green, it’s because of Dr Ambedkar’s stellar role in planning of Electricity infrastructure projects, on which rests a major part of India’s economy today.
• If it was not for Dr Ambedkar’s vision, one can imagine the situation of Electric Supply, Irrigation & development of India.

Dr. Ambedkar with

his wife on his birthday

14 April 1948

Thanks to his robust economic policies which have saved India even in the times of great Economic Depressions:

• Be it the founding guidelines for RBI,
• the Principles of Free Trade,
• Labour laws
• Irrigation framework &
• Base of Electric Power system of India through the Electricity (Supply) Act 1948.
• Over & above The Consitution of India

Dr. Ambedkar has always given his best for our Nation, in his short life span of 65 years.

We Salute Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb.

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Thank you! Your response will be highly appriciated !!! �(Contact me: vlsonavane@gmail.com / M: 9833362062)

“I am proud of my country, India, for having a Constitution that enshrines principles of

Democracy, Socialism, and Secularism”

-Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar