241
Rs. 3-15-0) from the cultivator, and sells at Rs. 50
to 60 per maund. This seems a very loose system,
and one which must often result in the farmers
reaping an excessive rate of profit, especially as
combinations at the auction sales to prevent com-
petition are still not uncommon, and used to be
frequent.
62. The quantity of cultivation is now suffi-
ciently controlled, not by its price, but by the
fact that if the cultivation exceeds the farmer's
demand, the produce is unsaleable. I myself
remember very well a year when some bhang
which was forfeited to Government in default of
payment of rent was absolutely unsaleable because
the farmer had got all he required. The farmer
gives the cultivator what he pleases, and just
enough to induce the men who ordinarily cultivate
it to supply the quantity he wants. There is
consequently little fear of any excess in the area
of cultivation. Even now a cultivator requires a
license to possess and manufacture his bhang, and
can only sell it wholesale to the licensed farmer.
The simplest method of control would be a Gov-
ernment monopoly as of opium.
63. With the above exceptions, I do not object
to the present system of vend.
64. Nor do I object to the regulations govern-
ing the export, import and transport of the
drugs.
65. I think that the amount of taxation
should be fixed by Government, and not left as
it is at present in the farmer's hands, the taxation
being the prices realised at auction. In the case
of opium and country liquor Government first
levy a duty, and this should be done for bhang
in such a way, however, as not to lower its present
price. The statistics previously sent demonstrate
what is well known to be a fact that the price of
bhang has been raised immensely in the last twenty
years by the farmers. Thus five toles used to be
purchased for three pies, whereas only one is now
obtainable. Yet the average area cultivated in
the five years ending 1877-78 was 164 acres,
and in the last five years l65 acres, i.e.,o n l y o n e
acre more, while the revenue per head of taxa-
tion has risen from 5 annas to 1 rupee.
67. Whether ganja and charas pay any Govern-
ment duty in the Punjab or elsewhere I do not
know. But their price also should, I think, be
fixed by Government, and a duty levied on them,
if not already done.
68. There are no houses or shops where hemp
drugs can be sold and consumed on the premises,
and I certainly do not want to see such opened.
69. A retail shop for the sale of the drugs is
only opened when there is a boná fide demand,
although no regular system of local option exists.
The matter must, I think, rest with the Revenue
Officers to decide, because any rule that a shop
should only be opened when a certain per-
centage of the inhabitants signed an applica-
cation for it would not be of much value, signa-
tures being obtainable for very little even when
the bribe is one of words only. Revenue Officers
should, however, be very careful not to sanction
any new shop until clear proof of substantial
demand has been given.
70. There is no reason to think that bhang is
much smuggled into this district. Bahawalpur
indents on us for its supply ; Khairpur grows its
own ; but as it is sold there at a much cheaper
rate, petty acts of smuggling may be carried on.
There is no tax on importation.
3. Evidence of Mr. C. E. S. STAFFORD STEELE, Officiating Deputy Commissioner,
Thar and Parkar District.
2. Yes. Bhang, ganja, and charas.
3. A plant resembling the hemp plant is said to
be found growing wild in the hills along the Khirta
range and on the western border of Sind ; it is
called "Igoi." It operates quicker, and its
effects are more pronounced than in the case of
bhang.
4. The ordinary hemp plant does not grow
spontaneously.
5. Unknown.
6. Scattered.
7. Practically none in this district ; not an acre
in all.
8. Vide above.
9. Grown both as a kharif and rabi crop. Fur-
ther particulars not known.
10. Not a special class.
11 and 12. No information available.
13. ride query 7.
14. The plant, as already stated, is not grown
in this district.
18. Bhang deteriorates after twelve months, and
becomes worthless after two years. Ganja the
same. Charas is said to improve by keeping, but
it has to be kept so that the air may be excluded,
and even so it will not retain its properties after
five years.
vol. vii.
19. Only for smoking.
20. The inferior orders and ascetics, both Hin-
dus and Muhammadans, mendicants and fakirs.
21. Flat preferred.
22. Foreign. Imported directly from the Pun-
jab ; principally from Amritsar. It is said to
come from Yarkand.
23. Those addicted to ganja and deprived of the
drug at times mix bhang with tobacco ; but this is
said to he infrequent, the result being unsatisfac-
tory.
24. The sweetmeat majum is eaten by the
higher classes, but it is not met with in this dis-
trict.
25. Increased, but with the population and not
in consequence of greater consumption by in-
dividuals, except in the case of charas, the imports
of which have increased during the past two years.
26.
Bhang.
Charas.
Ganja.
(a) 40 per cent. 60 per cent. 70 per cent.
(b) 40 „
40 „
30 „
(c) 20 „
(d)
Those persons who take charas and ganja be-
come habitual consumers, for the habit is said to
grow upon one.
27. (a) Bhang. —As regards bhang, moderate
2 L