CH. XVI.] REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. 321

It is also proposed to control the import of ganja, and to impose an import
duty at first of Rs. 50 to Rs. 80 per maund on pathar ganja from the Central
Provinces and Native States, to be increased by degrees. For this purpose an
amendment in the law will be required. Subject to the remarks which will be
found further on (paragraph 679), the Commission agree in these proposals.

Madras and Bombay.

658. In Madras and Bombay the general opinion among local officers appears
to prevail that no changes are necessary, though
the Commission have reason to believe that these
Governments recognise the impossibility of continuing the present state of
affairs in view of general considerations affecting the whole of India. A
seizure of 14 maunds 24 sérs of Madras ganja imported by sea to Calcutta was
made in January 1894. When the Madras Collector of Customs was communi-
cated with and asked to enquire full particulars and take action if he considered
it necessary, he replied to the Calcutta authorities asking under what law he was
desired to interfere. The Madras Act contains full provisions regarding the
import and export of drugs; but these provisions have not been extended to the
province. In view of the illicit imports into Burma from Madras, regarding
which there is ample evidence from the former province, of the complaints from
Mysore which are mentioned in Chapter XVII, and of the cheapness of the drug,
there can be no doubt that reforms are urgently required. The system in Bom-
bay is somewhat more formulated, but in view of the large amount of ganja
produced, and the still lower price of the drug in the producing districts, there
is no less need of an improvement in the system of administration. The
annexed table gives a comparative view of the cultivation and taxation of ganja
in these provinces, and in Bengal and the Central Provinces. The only comparison
which can be made is that of total taxation per acre of reported cultiva-
tion, because the areas of cultivation and totals of taxation are the only figures
on which any reliance can be placed in these two presidencies:—

Compared with Bengal and the
Central Provinces.

659. The Bengal figure in columns 4, 5 and 6 represents nearly the whole of
the revenue levied on all the ganja produced on
the area given in column 2, as the Assam and
Kuch Behar duties, which are not levied in Bengal, have been added.

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