JALLOSHJAYANTI

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

2. 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.”

3. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Family Background
• Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
• Born on 14th April 1891 - 6th 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)

4. 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

5. • 1916: Completed the second thesis “National
Dividend of India: A Historic & Analytical
Study” for second M.A.
• On 9th 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
• 30th Sept 1920: Bar-at-Law “Gray inn” London
Alexander Goldenweiser

6. • 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
• 5th June 1952: L.L.D (Honoris Causa) Columbia University, New York:
For HIS achievements, Leadership & authoring the “Constitution of
India” (Third Doctorate)
• 12th Jan 1953: D.Litt (Honoris Causa): Osmania University, Hyderabad:
For HIS achievements, Leadership & writing the “Constitution of India”
(Fourth Doctorate)
(Dr Babasheb: The Most educated person in India having 30 Degrees &
the highest educated Indian Economist)

7. DR. BABASAHEB: An eminant Economist
• An eminent economist:
contributed substantially to
formulation of “post-2nd 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

8. US President Obama said
“Dr. Ambedkar was the
Martin Luther King of
India” Martin Luthar King (Jr)
Jan 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968

9. 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 14th 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

10. 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
• 29th Aug 1947: India’s First Law Minister.
Took over as Chairman of “Constitution
Committee”

11. • June 1950: Established Milind College in Aurangabad: Foundation Stone
laid by the then President of India Hon Rajendra Prasad
• 5th Feb 1951: presented Hindu Code Bill in the Parliament
• 27th Sept 1951: Resigned from Cabinet after President refused to sign
on the Resolution
• 5th 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 3rd World Baudhha Conference at Rangoon (Brahma
Desh)
• 1955: Established “Indian Baudhha Mahasabha”
• 14th Oct 1956: Took Bauddha Dhrama Diksha at Nagpur. Established
Republican party out of Scheduled cast Federation
• 20th Nov. 1956: Delivered Speech at the 4th World Bauddha Conference
at Kathmandu (Nepal), on “Bauddha and Karl Max”
• 6th Dec 1956: Maha Parinirvan at New Delhi
• 14th April 1990: Posthumously Awarded “BHARAT RATNA” (after 23
(+)Years of his demise)

12. 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.”
(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)

13. 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

14. 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)

15. 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”

16. Major contributions by Dr. Babasaheb
• 1942-46: Member (Labor) of Viceroy’s Executive Council
– 27th 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

17. 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 8th 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).

18. Formation of CWPC CWC & CEA
• 16th 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 .

19. 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

20. • 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.
DVC Hydro Project

21. • 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) .

22. 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.

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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 30th
Dec 2013) (One Nation One Grid)

26. 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.

27. 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)

28. 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.

29. • 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.

30. 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”

31. 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

32. 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.

33. 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