316 REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. [CH. XVI
monopolist has been
called upon to pay a certain amount per s�r in addition to
the direct duty of Rs. 2 per s�r, the rate varying in different
districts and being
generally determined by tender. Such tender is limited by the
necessity of sup-
plying retail vendors at Rs. 3 per s�r to an amount per s�r less
than Re. 1.
The object of this measure was to fix the difference between the
duty on the drug,
Rs. 2 per s�r, and the price at which it was to be sold to retail
vendors, Rs. 3,
at a figure considerably in excess of the cost price of the drug,
and to put up the
gross profits thereby secured to the wholesale vendor to auction in
the form of
tender. It was thought that this would practically raise the direct
duty in the
districts where the cost price of the drug was least, and so
equalize prices through-
out the province. Cultivation in British territories has been
concentrated, and
since 1891 it has only been allowed in the Khandwa tahsil of the
Nimar dis-
trict.
Table showing the results
of the
ganja administration from 1882-83
to 1892-93.
647. During the changes
above described there were great fluctuations in
the area of cultivation, but
the revenue steadily
increased. The amount of consumption is not
available. From 1882-83 the statistics are more
complete, and the tabular statement subjoined will show the
progress of the
administration in regard to exports and consumption of ganja, the
amount and
rate of taxation, and the number of shops. Column 2 contains the
figures as
accurately as possible for the area cultivated; the table appended
to the Excise
Commissioner's memorandum gives the areas for which licenses were
taken out,
which were generally in excess of the area actually cultivated.
Column 5, show-
ing the fixed duty, represents the Rs. 2 per s�r duty levied on all
ganja issued to
the retail vendors of the province. Column 6 represents retail
license fees, and
the amounts, called wholesale license fees, obtained in accordance
with the
tenders of wholesale vendors:�
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
||
|
QUANTITY OF GANJA. |
||||||||||||
|
Year. |
Area |
Exported. |
Sold |
Fixed |
License fees. |
Total. |
Total |
Rates of |
Number |
Popula- |
||
|
Mds. |
Mds. |
Rs. |
Rs. |
Rs. |
Rs. |
A. |
P. |
Rs. |
||||
|
1882-83 |
452 |
2,241 |
600 |
47,935 |
61,676 |
1,09,612 |
4 |
9 |
1 |
2 |
814 |
11,344 |
|
1883-84 |
834 |
5,551 |
757 |
50,064 |
68,141 |
1,27,805 |
4 |
3 |
6 |
2 |
851 |
10,851 |
|
1884-85 |
1,166 |
4,790 |
845 |
66,123 |
94,491 |
1,60,614 |
4 |
12 |
0 |
2 |
921 |
10,026 |
|
1885-86 |
1,659 |
13,380 |
1,005 |
77,508 |
1,13,272 |
1,90,780 |
4 |
11 |
11 |
2 |
956 |
9,659 |
|
1886-87 |
928 |
6,052 |
864 |
69,473 |
1,40,859 |
2,10,332 |
6 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
1,026 |
9,000 |
|
1887-88 |
524 |
4,227 |
831 |
65,244 |
1,23,350 |
1,88,594 |
5 |
10 |
9 |
2 |
1,026 |
9,000 |
|
1888-89 |
915 |
5,052 |
941 |
74,191 |
1,24,054 |
1,98,244 |
5 |
3 |
10 |
2 |
1,081 |
8,543 |
|
1889-90 |
954 |
7,933 |
971 |
74,836 |
1,25,770 |
2,00,606 |
5 |
2 |
8 |
2 |
1,078 |
8,566 |
|
1890-91 |
477 |
4,108 |
1,019 |
78,205 |
1,32,709 |
2,10,914 |
5 |
2 |
10 |
2 |
1,081 |
8,596 |
|
1891-92 |
963 |
3,916 |
1,156 |
88,613 |
1,38,875 |
2,27,488 |
4 |
14 |
10 |
2 |
1,053 |
8,951 |
|
1892-93 |
984 |
4,232 |
1,194 |
91,629 |
1,61,141 |
2,52,770 |
5 |
4 |
8 |
2 |
1,047 |
9,552 |
Review of Central
Provinces
system.
648. It will be seen from
this statement that the fixed duty of Rs. 2 per
s�r has not been raised
since 1882-83. As above
remarked, an increase was contemplated as far back
as 1880-81. In 1887 the Local Administration declined to raise the
duty, the
principal reason assigned being that the effect would be to lower
the bids for retail
vend monopolies. The total taxation per s�r of consumption has
slightly decreased