337
65. There is no tax on ganja and charas or
bhang which is sold in our province : only the
license fee is realized from the contractors and no-
thing is charged on the articles. In Khandwa
perhaps there is some tax now on ganja. There
is no tax on charas or bhang. The tax which
is imposed on distilled liquor is very proper.
In Oudh the owners of the land on which bhang
grows spontaneously charge some tax for it. In
short, by imposing a tax on these drugs, the
advantage will be two-fold—firstly, it will be a
sort of check on account of the tax, secondly, the
tax would add to the Government revenue under
this head.
66. Any tax which is imposed on ganja, whe-
ther on that which is imported from other places
would not be excessive. Whether the tax is
imposed or the price is increased on, one will or
can grudge for it since it is a matter of Financial
Department. Besides it would be a good check
on its excessive consumption.
67. Nobody would object if additional tax
how-much-soever is imposed on these articles.
Because so long as enormous tax is not imposed
and the price is not raised it will be difficult to
check the use of these otherwise. Besides the
tax would be a source of income to the Govern-
ment.
68. In every city, town, or village in Oudh
there are shops of wholesale or retail vendors,
where large numbers of men come and gather,
especially on the shops of sakins which are gener-
ally on the thorough fares.
This gathering is highly objectionable, and a
rule should be laid down that men may purchase
there at the shops and use them at their houses.
69. In this matter nobody's wish is consulted,
but the shops are opened at different places in
accordance with the proportionate number of
population as shown in census statement, the
same way as is laid down in the abkari rules.
70. In our province of Oudh no taK is imposed
on any intoxicating substance, except on distilled
liquors. Tax is taken in Bengal on ganja balu-
char, which is never imported in this province in
an illicit way.
Oral evidence.
Question 25.—Chandu and madak require to
be made up by a man who knows the business.
It is therefore difficult for people to use them
at home, and they take the hemp drugs instead.
A certain number have changed their habits for
this cause, but not many.
Question 29.—I have heard that charas is ad-
ulterated in the way described, but I cannot say
what foundation there is for the statement.
Question 41.—The proportion of ganja and
charas smokers which I have given in this answer
and the proportion of bhang drinkers also, do not
take the women and children into account. I
think ganja and charas smokers can only be one-
half of the adult male population. This answer
must be understood to refer to the cities of Luck-
now and Cawnpore.
Question 45.—The moderate use of the drugs
(ganja and charas) is injurious, but will not go
the length of causing insanity. There are few
who consume the drugs in the villages ; but I
cannot speak to the effects among the villagers,
as I have never gone among them.
248. Evidence of MURLI DHUR, Brahmin, Drug Contractor, Moradabad.
1. I and my family have held drug contracts
in Moradabad, Rampur and Terai.
2. Yes ; but ganja is almost unknown here and
is never sold.
3. In the Terai, Bijnor, Kumaon, Saharanpur,
and to some extent in this district. It is abun-
dant in Saharanpur, Bijnor and the Terai.
4. The plant is usually called bhang from which
bhang is made. This is a narrow-leaved plant and
is generally called female. What is called the
ganja plant is much larger-leaved and is said to
be male. Charas is made from it in Kumaon and
Garhwal, and there are a few scattered plants of
it in the Terai and this district.
5. There is a difference. For charas the plant
requires a cold climate and high locality, e.g.,
Yarkand, Kumaon, Garhwal. Bhang does well
in a hot damp climate and is always best, e.g., in
the Terai or the alluvial lands adjoining a river.
Bhang grown in higher laud and drier climate
is practically worthless.
6. Generally very dense.
7. It is cultivated for charas in Kumaon and
Garhwal. The bark is used for weaving bags,
covering for cattle, etc., and the seed is used with
other food. The plant is nowhere cultivated for
bhang in this neighbourhood.
8. There has been an increase in the Kumaon
and Garhwal cultivation. I have opportunities
of knowing this since I hold the Ramnagar lease.
The reason is that the price has gone up to Rs. 5
and Rs. 6 from Rs. 2.
vol. v.
10. There is no special class of such persons.
The hemp is grown by ordinary cultivators.
11. The seed from the previous year's crop is
always used.
12. I believe ganja is collected from plants
growing spontaneously in the jungle in the Terai
and Kumaon, bub to a very limited extent. I have
never heard of the male plant being extirpated.
13. It is not restricted, but it is not carried on in
all districts. I do not know if its cultivation for
ganja would be possible here.
14. (a) I know nothing of the preparation of
ganja.
(b) Charas is made in Kumaon and Garhwal.
(c) Bhang in Terai, Bijnor, Saharanpur, Ram-
pur, and to very small extent in this district.
15. (a) Charas cultivated. The leaves are rub-
bed in the hands till the juice sticks to the hands,
and is collected. The stuff is then put on a hot
stone and kneaded into balls or long thin rolls.
(b) The bhang plant is cut in Jeth and Baisakh
and kept till dry. The leaves are then stripped
off and brought in : if kept shut up, they turn
yellow ; if kept in the open, they remain green.
16. The bhang is prepared in the jungles and
can be prepared from the plant wherever grown.
17. Bhang is made by ordinary labourers of
any castes ; charas is made by ordinary culti-
vators.
18. Bhang remains good for three years ; after
that it produces less effect. But it is spoiled by
3 A