‘REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY, FOR THE YEAR 1919-20’ [‎283v] (114/192)

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BOMBAY ADMINISTRATION REPORT.
2 .—The Factories Act.
For details see the Annual Factory An East India Company trading post. Report of the Bombay Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. for the year 1919
1. The number of factories subject to the control of the Aof
868 to 891. Four ginning factories were struck off the list. Ne T* 3 froi)1
comprised 16 ginning and pressing factories, 1 cotton weaving miin aCt ° ries
and weaving mill, 3 motor-car works, 2 glass works, 1 flour mill 5 1 T ni1 ^
work, 1 bleaching and dyeing factory An East India Company trading post. and 1 iron work. The number of f
at work rose from 772 to 784. Of the total number of factories 330 ^
perennial and 561 seasonal. Of the former 182 and of the latter 55Q
connected with the cotton industry.
2. The total number of operatives employed in the Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. in
from 296,672 to 318,236, of whom 245,742 were employed in the7?
industry. The number of women employed rose from 54,297 to 60 578° T
partly to the prosperity of industries and partly to the necessity of many wonT
going into employment following the severe influenza epidemic. The numl) 11 '
of children employed increased slightly from 14,138 to 14,875.
3. There were 99 serious accidents and 21 fatal accidents. The latter
caused the death of 26 persons. Minor accidents numbered 896. The average
number of accidents per 100 operatives employed rose from *23 to *32.
4. Seventeen prosecutions were instituted by inspectors. Convictions
were obtained in all cases and fines ranging from Es. 500 to Rs. 3,600 were
inflicted in every case except one in which the manager was warned. Besides
these, 4 convictions were secured in cases instituted by additional inspectors.
5. Out of the 330 perennial factories, 129 were inspected more than three
times, 117 three times, 62 twice and 20 once. Of the two perennial factories
which escaped inspection one was removed from the register at the close of the
year. Of the seasonal factories, 2 were inspected three times, 17 twice and 384
once, while 158 escaped inspection altogether, of which, however, 52 were closed
throughout the year. Thus 106 factories remained unvisited. All these
inspections were performed by the whole-time inspectors. In addition extra
visits were made for purposes of inspection and enquiry into accidents and
special visits for checking tallow^ refund claims and the excise returns under the
Cotton Duties Act.
6. One serious fire occurred at Ahmedabad in which three lives were
lost. Some mills in Ahmedabad arranged for a well equipped hospital and
maternity ward and for light work for expectant mothers. Grain shops were
opend in many mills but were not appreciated. The cotton trade was prosperous
throughout the year, the general development of industry was reflected in the
number of factories added to the register and the increase in the number of
operatives employed was almost entirely confined to perennial concerns. In
Bombay the housing of factory An East India Company trading post. workers has received the constant attention of
Government, the mill-owners and public bodies, and extensive schemes have
been planned. Some steps on a limited scale were taken at Ahmedaba
and Broach.
7. Little progress was made, whether by municipalities or ’J 1
providing education for children of mill-hands. In Ahmedabad night scn°o s
were opened and some mills have arranged for the education of the chi re
of operatives.
3.—The Steam Boiler Inspection Act.
1. The total number of boilers on the register for the P resl ^® C j’
including Sind, Aden and the Native States, rose from 4,311 to 4,3J«. ^
not, however, the number of boilers m woriring order to
of giving a new boiler a new number it is found very difficult to di ^
boilers on the register have become unserviceable or ceased to exis.
number of boilers inspected and certified rose from 2,316 to 2,3/7.
tors carried out 2,755 inspections and paid 2,169 casual visits as a £ a j7 v j g jt s
and 2,267, respectively, in the previous year. In addition to these , ^ ^
w r ere paid for witnessing hydraulic and steam tests as against 1,
previous year.