10
LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
It may be observed also that the high average cost at Cuttack on account
of its small population swells the total average cost for the whole province.
The Dullunda Asylum from its being situated in the town of Calcutta,
where everything is so very expensive, has an unavoidably large expenditure
which contributes also to increase the total average cost in Bengal. But the
cost in 1890 would have been further diminished had the reduction in the
expenditure of the asylums recommended by my predecessor and myself some
time ago, and sanctioned by Government in September 1890, been given effect
to for the whole year.
33. Income.—There was a falling off of Rs. 135-2-8 in the total receipts
from the friends of the paying patients in the year under report. The decrease
at Dullunda was large and was due, in a great measure, to the circumstance
that in 1889 a considerable amount of arrears of maintenance charges was
recovered. The diminution at Patna of Rs. 33 was caused by the discharge of
a female paying patient. At Berhampore, however, there was an increase of
Rs. 84-2, which was due to the admission of a paying patient. It is hoped
that Superintendents will increase their efforts to obtain larger contributions
from the friends of patients who are able to pay, and thus lighten the burden
which is at present borne by Government.
34. Statement X: Establishment,—It will be seen from the statement given
in the appendix that considerable reductions have been made in the establishment
at most of the asylums. Some of these reductions had been going on for several
years; but Government in September last having ordered that all the economies
which had been recommended by my predecessor and myself in our special reports
on the asylums should be carried into effect, a considerable difference in the
sanctioned scale of the establishment as it stood in December last will be noticed
when compared with that of previous years. A saving of Rs. 160 monthly has
been effected at Dullunda by the discharge of a jemadar, 4 warders, 2 durwans,
1 lamp-lighter, 1 baker, 1 cook, 1 bhistee, 1 barber, 3 mehters, 1 mehtrani,
and the reduction of the pay of the native doctor and the washerman.
At
Dacca the saving has amounted to Rs. 213 per mensem. This has been brought
about by the reduction of the pay of the Superintendent and the discharge of
1 writer, 1 hurkurah, 1 cook, 1 washerman, 1 mali, 6 male sweepers, 1 female
keeper, 1 goala, and 1 barber. At Patna a saving of Rs. 8 per mensem has
been effected by the discharge of two washermen and one barber, and the re-
adjustment of the pay of some of the members of the establishment. At Cuttack
no reduction has been effected, nor does any seem possible at present. It was
thought that the services of the washerman might be dispensed with, but the
Superintendent reports that either from caste prejudices or other causes none of
the lunatics can be got to act in that capacity. At Berhampore there has been
a saving of Rs. 264 per mensem by the reduction of the pay of the Superin-
tendent and the discharge of 1 matron, 1 writer, 5 keepers, 1 mali, 2 cooks,
5 bhistees, 1 washerman, 1 barber, 3 mehters, and 2 mehtranis, and the re-
adjustment of the pay of some of the members of the establishment. It may not
be possible to work the asylums efficiently in some instances with the present
very reduced staff, and some additions may have to be made when the necessity
for them is proved, and, on the other hand, further reductions may be possible in
directions which experience may point out. This matter will receive attention
at my annual inspections.
35. Statement XI: Manufactures.-The
total amount expended on raw
materials and all other charges was less by Rs. 681-11-3 as compared with 1889.
At Dacca a very large amount was expended by the Public Works Department
on account of repairs to the manufacture buildings. During the year under
report there were paid into the treasury from all the asylums collectively
Rs. 444-11-4 more than in 1889. The total value of the manufactured goods
used in the asylums was also greater in 1890 by Rs. 1,655-12-1, which was
mainly the result of the change in the system of adjustment of accounts.
The total profits increased by Rs. 786-15-9, and it is satisfactory to observe
that all the asylums, except that at Dacca, show a larger profit in the year
under report. If the extraordinary expenditure of Rs. 4,492-2-9 on account
of repairs were excluded, the Dacca Asylum would have shown a profit of
Rs. 1,088-8.