135
3. The entire crop should be purchased by
Government and then manufactured by
its own paid servants.
4. The ganja when manufactured should be
preserved in air-tight tin vessels like tea,
say each to contain one, two, or more
pounds. There should be only one kind of
ganja manufactured, namely, chur ganja,
from which all extraneous matter has been
eschewed. To have three different kinds of
ganja looks like having two holes in the
door for a pair of kittens.
5. The ganja should be manufactured at
Naogaon and at once despatched to conve¬
nient divisional centres for distribution to
the districts.
6. At least two years' consumption should
always be in stock.
63. I have very serious objection to the present
system of wholesale vend of ganja. The whole¬
sale vendor exercises a great influence in the reve-
nue of Government on the one hand and the cost
to consumers on the other.
(1) The wholesale vendor should be abolished.
(2) The ganja should be issued by the treasury
officer like opium to retail vendors. There
will be no weighment. The tins will be
simply handed over.
As regards the retail vend of ganja, I would
introduce the following system tentatively:—
(1) The retail price of ganja will be fixed by
Government.
(2) The number of licenses and the localities
will be the same and restricted in the
same way as in the present system.
(3) The vendors would get a commission on
the quantity sold.
(4) The licenses will be sold by auction,
preference being given to those who
agree to work for the minimum commis¬
sion.
The present system is a sort of gambling. The
elements of uncertainty are considerable.
The final cost to consumers is too much at the
mercy of the vendors in the present system.
64. I have objection to the present system of
transport. If the wholesale vendor is abolished,
the present system of transport will die with him.
65. I do not believe there is any relation be¬
tween the intoxication produced by ganja and that
caused by alcohol. No man discusses within him¬
self—" Now, if I take to ganja I have to pay so
much for so many hours' inebriation, and if I take
to alcohol I shall have to spend so much for so
many hours' enjoyment." Whether a man will
drink or smoke depends entirely on taste and cir¬
cumstances unconnected with cost. The question
of cost may influence those who are addicted to
both kinds of intoxicatious. But I believe such
men are rare. The theory of interchangeableness
of ganja and alcohol is convenient to Collectors
who have sometimes to account to superior autho¬
rity for variations in the two kinds of revenue.
66. I would have only one kind of ganja,
namely chur; flat ganja could never be put in
tins. The Commissioner says in his last report
that consumers prefer flat ganja to chur. He
evidently means retail vendors prefer flat ganja to
chur. They prefer it because there is an element
of uncertainty in flat ganja (in the ratio of the
twigs to the actual ganja). The vendor considers
this a subject for gambling. He wants and ex¬
pects each time to get more ganja than twigs.
Flat ganja also perhaps pays less duty in propor¬
tion to chur ganja. I cannot conceive that there
is any difference of quality between flat and chur
or even round. The very fact that flat ganja is
cheaper (seer for seer) induces vendors to prefer
it.
67. My objection to the present method of tax¬
ing ganja is shown in answer to question 63,
70. There is no general use of untaxed ganja,
but ganja is smuggled from Rajshahi and Native
States to a more or less extent.
Conclusion.—Mine is a consistent theory of
administration. The final cost to consumers
should be independent of all outside consideration.
It should be entirely under the regulating power
of Government. It should be gradually but
steadily increased. No sudden increase will do any
good, for that may lead to smuggling or pri¬
vation keenly felt, which last is only next door to
entire prohibition in its results. Fluctuation in
the cost is most harmful, resulting in increased
cost to consumers without any corresponding gain
in social morality. Increase of cost to consumers
and decrease of consumption slowly and steadily
is my motto. Whatever system helps this is
good, and whatever flaw in the administration
leads to disturb this is objectionable.
57. Evidence of BABU GUNGADHAR GHOSE, Excise Deputy Collector, 24-Parganas.
1. As Deputy Collector of several districts, I
have had opportunities of obtaining information
regarding the matters connected with hemp
drugs.
2. Yes. The drugs are known as siddhi or
bhang, charas, and ganja in this district.
3. Murshidabad, Jessore, 24-Parganas. It is
abundant in Jessore,
4. Bhang or siddhi, which refer to exactly the
same plant.
5. I am unable to answer thy question fully,
but it appears to flourish in the alluvial tracts of
Lower Bengal.
6. Ordinarily dense.
7. Yes; but not in this district.
8. I am not aware of any such increase.
9. I am not acquainted with the methods of
cultivation.
10. No, the ganja cultivators are of the same
class as other agricultural cultivators.
11 and 12. Not so far as I am aware.
13. The cultivation is restricted to the districts
of Rajshahi, Bogra, and Dinajpur, known as
"Naogaon Ganja Mahal." The districts were
selected, I think, for their peculiar soil. I think
a soft loamy soil with adaptability for irrigation
is necessary for the cultivation of hemp for pro¬
ducing ganja. Its cultivation would be impossible
I think in marshy land.
14. (a) In the Rajshahi, Bogra, and Dinajpur
districts.