101
PART I.-IMPERIAL REPORT.
B.—REVENUE SECTION.
VI.—GENERAL.
Cost of the
Department.
560. The cost of the Civil Veterinary Department debited to India Estimates
during 1897-98, as shown by Table XXI amounts to Rs. 5,66,562-11-11. Of
this, the sum Rs. 5,01,505-6-5 has been accounted for by the Comptroller of India
Treasuries, and the balance, Rs. 65,057-5-6 by the several Accountants-General,
representing the pay and travelling allowances of the Provincial Superintendents
of this Department.
The cost of the Department during 1896-97 amounted to Rs. 5,86,364-11-8,
against Rs. 5,66,562-11-11 in 1897-98, showing a decrease of Rs. 19,801-15-9.
The prices paid for imported horse and donkey stallions during the year under
review, are as shown below :—
Price of 15 horses imported from England
Price of 15 Italian donkey Stallians @ £ 82 each ...
Price of 15 Cyprian donkey stallions @ £ 27 each ...
Total
£
4,545
1,230
405
1,635
s.
0
0
0
0
d.
0
0
0
0
@ 1s. 2½d. per rupee
@ 1s. 2½d. per rupee
Total
R.
75,227
27,062
1.02,289
a.
9
1
10
P.
4
1
5
against Rs, 1,64,457-12-5 in 1896-97, or Rs. 62,168-2-0 less than in the previous
year.
561. This year has been one of great financial difficulty owing to the
very high rates prevailing in nearly every district for grain, and owing also to
the fact that all Departments were expected to meet all demands from their
budget grants. This, with great care, this Department succeeded in doing,
but only by reappropriating large sums for feed and keep of stallions which
should have been devoted to other important matters, such as construction
and repairs of stabling; travelling allowances were also reduced to meet the cost
incurred.
562. The fact that the expenditure of this Department is yearly
increasing, I feel, calls for some explanation on my part. The amount
sanctioned for the year 1894-95, when I first assumed charge, was Rs. 3,58,690,
whilst that sanctioned for 1897-98 is Rs. 5,07,840, showing an increase of
Rs. 1,49,150; but this can easily be explained.
563. One of the main items which accounts for this increase in
expenditure is found to exist under the heading of Purchase of stallions;
this alone accounts for Rs. 64,000. This is entirely due to the fact that so
many Thoroughbred stallions have been purchased in India; but this increase is
more apparent than real, for a corresponding, or I should say a greater
corresponding reduction, has been made in the Home Estimates, owing to the
smaller number of stallions imported. The price paid for Arabs has also
increased in order to obtain a better class than was formerly obtained.
564. The Bacteriological Laboratory accounts for an increase of
Rs. 24,564 and I can only express a hope that the results will justify this
increased expenditure.
565. The expenditure incurred by various Superintendents connected
with horse and mule-breeding has increased by Rs. 38,370 which is mainly due
to increase in Salaries and Establishment, Travelling Allowance, and Feed and
Keep. The latter will, I trust, be reduced by good seasons, but still we have to
provide for more horse and donkey stallions than were employed in 1894-95
and a further increase in donkey stallions is necessary. I regret to say that I
cannot submit a very promising forecast for reduction under this heading
during 1898-99, as prices of grain are not falling as I expected; this is due to
the large exports of wheat.
566. I have only dealt with the three large items which alone account
for Rs. 1,26,934 out of the increase of Rs. 1,49,150. The reminder is due to