26
were recognised, and the same duty was levied for
both. A different rate of duty in Orissa Division
was of later introduction, and it is now as follows:
Rs. 4 1/2 for flat, Rs. 6 for round, and Rs. 6 1/2 for
chur.
Compelling cultivators to build secure
store-houses would check pilferage and consequent
smuggling, and raising the duty on chur would
have the effect of limiting the manufacture of
chur ganja, which acts detrimentally to the
Government revenue owing to the abstraction of
the woody portion.
60. I am quite satisfied that the present method
of cultivation of the ganja-bearing plant and the
process of its manufacture are sufficiently con-
trolled. At the same time I am quite prepared to
admit that improved systems of manufacture could
be introduced. It is possible that the manufac-
tured ganja could be made up into cakes, like
tobacco; but I can give no advice in this matter,
not having the necessary information or know-
ledge.
61. No charas is produced in Bengal.
62. No; the plant is not cultivated, but grows
wild.
63. I have no objections, and I cannot indicate
any improvements.
64. I have no objections.
65. I think the taxation of ganja is reasonable
with reference to siddhi and charas, and with re-
ference to alcoholic and other intoxicants.
66. It is proper that there should be different
rates of taxation, as at present, for the different
kinds of ganja. The chur has not any or very
little admixture of the woody portion of the twigs;
while round has a large admixture and flat a
larger still. Only the flowery portion, which con-
tains the resinous stimulating matter, is used in
smoking, and this alone should be taxed. Ganja
is grown in one place only in Bengal, in and
around Naogaon of the Rajshahi district.
67. No.
68. There are no such houses or licensed shops.
I do not think that I would allow them, because
I think the consumption would be stimulated.
But at the same time there is no doubt that
many a ganja smoker, especially a traveller or
way-farer, takes his smoke in the shop where he
buys the ganja. Very often the shopman invites
a smoke from the shop chillum to show the good
quality of his ganja.
69. Yes, especially in municipalities, where the
Commissioners are consulted.
There is no public opinion outside municipali-
ties; but I never open a new shop in the interior
without consulting the residents.
70. I have nothing to say.
Oral evidence.
Question 3.—I have not myself seen the so-
called wild plant in all districts; but I have heard
that it grows everywhere. I have seen it in dis-
tricts far apart and with very different condi-
tions, so I have no reason to disbelieve what I
have heard. I have never seen the wild plant
in churs or such alluvial lands. It is in home-
stead sites, such as are higher than the surround-
ing country, that I have seen bhang growing.
My experience is not that it is found in churs;
but it may be so. Bhang flourishes best in the
cold weather, when ganja also flourishes; but
wild bhang may be seen at all parts of the year.
I should not say that it grows mainly in the
riverain districts. I have seen it most abundant-
ly in Hill Tippera.
Question 35.—I wish the Commission to under-
stand that the various restrictions of the Board
of Revenue have not been strictly enforced.
It
was felt that their rigid enforcement would tend
to destroy the production. The restrictions not
strictly enforced are:—
(1) The punctual application for storage license
immediately after cutting and manufac-
ture (Rule 12). Since the last two years
I have endeavoured to enforce this as
strictly as is consistent with the existing
condition of affairs. Up to a very recent
period they did not apply for licenses for
a month or two months, or even three
months after storing the ganja. Since the
last two or three years I have compelled
them to apply for the licenses immediately,
but with this reservation that they need
not specify for a month the number and
weight of bundles to be stored. They
are apprehensive that if they give this
they would be held responsible for any
deviation from the number and weight on
inspection, and the cultivators try to put off
the evil day of committing themselves.
(2) Next in degree to that is this. Accord-
ing to the Government rules no one but
the cultivator may meddle with the ganja
when ready to be cut and manufactured.
The only exception is when a purchaser
comes and takes the whole field and takes
all the cultivators' responsibility as to
manufacture and storage. But they will
not do that.
The cultivator does not
trust the wholesale purchaser; nor the
purchaser the cultivator. Besides, nearly
every cultivatior is in need of an advance
before he proceeds to manufacture. This
he gets from the intending wholesale
purchaser, who superintends the manufac-
ture of the ganja to suit his own tastes.
He practically becomes the owner of the
ganja without assuming the responsibilities
that devolve on him. In fact the wholesale
purchasers are always moving about the
ganja tract. I have only to interdict any
interference on their part with the manu-
facture of the ganja until or unless they
purchase the produce of the whole
field;
and their absence from the ganja tract
would itself cause the decline of the culti-
vation of the ganja.
There are also points of less importance (e.g.,
the adhidari system of sharing
fields);
but these are the two chief points.
Question 42.—I do not discuss in my written
answer the excessive use of ganja. I only deal
with the moderate use. My reason is that I have
never come across an instance of the effects of
excessive use. I know, of course, that the asylum
statistics show lunacy as due to ganja. But this
has never come before me in my own experience.
I have never seen any case in which evil effects
on health or otherwise have been pointed out to
me as due to ganja. I have never seen a social
wreck whose ruin was attributed to ganja.
It
may seem an extraordinary thing to say; but
I have never had a man pointed out to me
with, "Look, there is a ganja-khor. See what