19
Which the plant is grown to an extent sufficient
to meet the local consumption are exempt. If the
duty were charged only on importation from
places outside British India, there would be less
objection, for the several British districts would
then be on the same footing as regards duty,
whether the plant is cultivated in them or not.
But the fairest method is to charge an excise
duty on the article produced in British India, and
a corresponding import duty on the article import
- e d f r o m p l a c e s o u t s i d e B r i t i s h I n d i a . I n t h e
first instance the rate of excise and import duty
should be low, but not so low as the existing duty
on transport, the incidence of which is under
1 / 3 3 o f a p i e p e r t o l a . A l s o t h e m i n i m u m a m o u n t o f
duty leviable should not be so much as at present.
I should think that a rate of 8 annas per seer of
ganja, which would be little more than a pie per
tola, would be an exceedingly moderate rate with
reference to the present duties on spirit and toddy.
I do not know whether the strength of bhang
differs from that of ganja so much as to require
a separate rate. Of course charas would need a
rate for itself.
I consider that it would probably be practicable
and desirable to apply to ganja and bhang the
system now in force in most districts with regard.
to toddy mutatis mutandis—that is, there should
be a separate license for each shop, which, if there
is only one applicant, should be given on payment
of a fixed fee; if there are more, it should be sold
by auction. All the ganja and bhang prepared
should be kept in bonded warehouses or depôts,
and sold thence only to persons who hold licenses
for shops on payment of the duty. The licensee
should have the option of supplying himself from
any depôt in the presidency on payment of excise
duty, or from places outside the presidency on
payment of import duty, each consignment in either
case, of course, being covered by a pass showing
the payment of the duty.
It is, however, possible that the consumption is
in some districts not sufficiently large to induce
persons to apply for licenses for separate shops.
In that case the right of sale throughout a district
could continue to be given to one person—gen
- e r a l l y t h e p e r s o n w h o o f f e r e d t h e l a r g e s t s u m f o r
the privilege—who would supply himself from a
depôt or import on payment of excise or import
duty as proposed in the case of the holders of
licenses for separate shops.
60. There is at present no need for control,
61. Charas is not produced here.
62. The cultivation of the hemp plant for the
production of bhang is not separate from its
cultivation for the production of ganja.
63 and 64. See answer to questions 58 and 59.
65. There is at present in this province no
taxation in the strict sense of the term on prepa
- r a t i o n s o f h e m p e x c e p t t h e d u t y o n i m p o r t , e x p o r t ,
or transport, as regards which please see answers
to questions 58 and 59.
66. I think not, but only one kind of ganja is
used in this district.
67. See answer to questions 58 and 59.
68. No. I think consumption on the shop
premises is as unobjectionable as consumption in
the consumers' own houses.
69. Yes. The village officers are required to
inquire and report whether the bulk of the people
wish a shop or object to it, and in the latter case
a shop is not allowed, I think it is reasonable
that effect should be given to the wish of the
majority in this matter.
70. I have reason to believe that although
there is no, or practically no, smuggling, people
who live on the borders of Native States get
their supplies from shops in these States, where
the article is said to be cheaper. This practice is
possibly owing to the rule that any person may
have in his possession without a license as much
as 40 tolas. The limit should not, I think, be.
more than 5 tolas,—perhaps better, 2 tolas.
11. Evidence of MR. H. WOODWARD, Collector, Kaira, Gujarat.
1. Only the general experience derived from
eighteen years' actual service as a District Officer
in many of the districts of this presidency, exclud--
ing Sind, My special attention has been drawn
to the subject quite recently.
2. Yes; though the general notion is that
bhang is produced from the female and ganja
from the male plant only. I cannot discover that
these products are known locally by any peculiar
names.
3 . N o n e .
7. None ; the fibrous hemp plant ( san), so
-called, is altogether different from ganja, and has
no intoxicating qualities.
14. No, they are all imported.
19. Only for smoking in the Kaira district.
c h a r a s i s n o t i m p o r t e d f o r s a l e h e r e a t a l l , a n d
its use is extremely limited.
20. The practice of smoking ganja is general
among all the lower and poorer classes, fakirs,
bairagis, sadhus, and other ascetics being spe--
c i a l l y a d d i c t e d t o i t .
21. Flat ganja alone is used in this district.
23. Never, so far as I can ascertain.
vol. vii.
2 4 . B h a n g i s d r u n k b y a l l c l a s s e s o f t h e p o p u
lation in a less or greater degree, specially in the
hot season. It has refreshing and stimulating
properties, and is imbibed at convivial meetings, as
Europeans use tea, by the well-to-do classes.
25. There are very few shops in this district, and
the consumption seems to be decidedly on the
decrease owing to the prevailing and spreading
taste for the cheaper forms of alcohol. This
remark is applicable to bhang drinkers and ganja
smokers.
26. Roughly out of 100 consumers,—
(a) 80
(b) 5
(c) 10
(d) 5
100
For bhang and ganja (not charas).
27. From all classes. From the Brahmin and
well-fed bania to the Dharala and emaciated
ascetic, as well as Muhammadans. The people of a
country like India must have stimulants. The
form of the stimulant chosen will depend on a
variety of circumstances, not the least important
2