7
lieve, largely increasing, as shown by the follow-
ing figures of imports:—
1890-91.
M. S. C.
79 35 1 ...
1891-92.
M. S. C.
100 27 1 ...
1892-93.
M. S. C.
111 31 10
There may be other factors working, but I am
convinced that the chief cause of the increase is
the enhanced cost of liquor due to raising the duty
to Re. 1-8 from Re. 1, while at the same time the
strength was reduced. Gallon for gallon, and not
allowing for increased strength in 1890-91, the
license-fees and still-head duty on liquor were as
follows:—
License fees
Duty
Total
1890-91.
Rs
0
1
1
a.
15
0
15
p.
10
0
10
1891-02.
Rs.
1
1
2
a.
2
8
10
p.
4
0
4
1892-93.
Rs.
0
1
2
a.
12
8
4
p.
5
0
5
1 find that the increase in imports of charas
has been very small in Tahsils Nagina and Dham-
pur, which contain, or are bordered by, out-still
tracts which were not affected by the change in
still-head duty; is large in Bijnor and Chandpur,
which are out of the zone affected by outstills;
and is large in Najibabad, a large portion of which
has recently been brought under the distillery
system. It therefore seems probable that the
increase in the use of charas is due to the increase
in the cost of liquor.
36. Just the contrary here (see question 25).
I wish it were, as I believe alcohol to be very
harmless in comparison.
53. I believe it does. In my experience as a
Magistrate I have had many cases before me, in
which acts, chiefly of violence, but also acts such as
theft and burglaries, were committed while under
the influence of ganja. I cannot give figures, but
I may have had 20 or 30 such cases come before
me in the eastern districts of Gorakhpur and
Benares. I cannot remember any particular case
of temporary homicidal frenzy, but I believe the
excess use of ganja does sometimes lead to such
frenzy.
54. Possibly; but I do not think so. The effect
of ganja is too strong. In cases which have come
to my notice the effect of the drug was still appa-
rent when the act was committed, and it is impos-
sible to say whether the act was due to its in-
fluence, and whether it had been taken to screw
up courage for the act. I think alcohol is more
commonly used to give Dutch coinage. In Bena-
res bad characters constantly used to say they had
committed thefts or burglaries unconsciously under
the effects of alcohol; but in nearly every case it
was clear from their behaviour that they had their
senses all about them; and if they had taken any
liquor, it was merely to fortify themselves. In
ganja cases the offender nearly always seemed
under the effect of the drug when the act was
committed.
59. Whether it is feasible or not to prohibit
ganja and charas is a question which can only be
answered by those in whose districts these drugs
are produced and by those who know more
about the conditions of their use than I do. If
feasible, I should be glad to see them prohibited,
as I believe them to be the most deleterious form
of stimulant in use in India. Short of prohibition,
I think Government has done all it can as regards
the drugs themselves by imposing heavy duties
and making the sale a monopoly, to prevent exces-
sive use.
But, whether from external pressure or financial
or other reasons, there has been a tendency of late
to enhance largely the cost to the consumer of
spirits and even opium. These stimulants are, as
far as I have seen, exceedingly harmless, or rather
do exceedingly little harm; and I think the great-
est watchfulness is necessary to prevent excessive
cost of these articles driving consumers to the use
of the cheaper hemp drug. Every opportunity
should be given to the people to obtain liquor and
opium at prices just short of what will lead to
smuggling or recourse to drugs.
62. In these parts the plant is not cultivated
for the production of bhang. Bhang is made
from the wild plant. It would be utterly impos-
sible to prohibit the growth of the bhang plant.
One might as well prohibit the growth of dande-
lions in England.
Oral evidence.
Question 1.—I have served mostly in Gorakh-
pur and Benares. I have only had a year in
Bijnor, and was a very short time in Agra.
Question 25.—The consumption of liquor in
gallon measurement has actually decreased in Bij-
nor. Up to 1890-91 the still-head duty was Re. 1
per gallon, and the strength was not fixed. From
1891 onward the still-head duty was Re. 1-8 per
gallon of liquor from 25° to 50° underproof, the
maximum strength allowed to be issued being 23°.
The consumption of liquor has also decreased if
calculated by the strength of liquor issued. The
consumption of liquor is so small that the decrease
is not observable in the habits of the people. The
Bijnor ganja is not used. I have not observed
whether the retail price of charas has fallen. I
think it has not, judging from the records. The
cutstill system is maintained in tahsils which are
backward and border in Garhwal, whence it is
difficult to check the smuggling. I do not think
that the absence of increase in consumption of
charas in this tahsils is due to smuggling. Charas
comes in through the Punjab and not from Garhwal.
I think Re. 1-8 is high duty for weak liquor among
a poor population. I produce* a statement show-
ing fluctuation of import of charas and issue of
liquor in the five tahsils of the Bijnor district,
between 1890-91, the last year of the old rate of
liquor duty, and 1892-93, the second year in which
the new rate of duty was current. The large
increase of liquor in Najibabad is to be explained
by special reasons, but the simultaneous increase
of charas importation in this tahsil does conflict
somewhat with the position I have taken up. I
cannot explain this increase of charas. An im-
portant case of charas smuggling was detected in
Najibabad. It is possible that there might be
irregular exportation from Najibabad into other
tahsils or districts. This would account to some
extent for the increase, but the evidence was
against the smuggled charas having come from
the Najibabad shop. No special cause beyond the
change of system can be alleged for the great
decrease of issue of liquor in the Bijnor tahsil.
Question 36.—I have never seen a native of the
middle class ruined by liquor. On the other hand,
I have seen some criminal lunatics whose condi-
tion was attributed to ganja or charas and
bhang. Men have actually appeared before me
who seemed to be still under the influence of
the drug. The people whom I have known to be
* Appended.