CH. VIII.] REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. 137
Connection between the use of
liquor and hemp drugs.
360. Mr. Stoker connects these fluctuations in some important instances with
changes in the administration of the liquor excise.
He shows pretty conclusively that the hemp drug
revenue has risen when the price of liquor has been raised, and that it has fallen
when under the establishment of the outstill instead of the central distillery
system liquor has been made more plentiful and more cheap. It is stated that
the liquor revenue has in the same period grown from 17 to 32 lakhs, and that
the enhanced revenue has been raised on a diminished issue of liquor. If there is
this intimate relation between liquor and the hemp drugs, it seems to follow that
the decreased consumption of liquor must have been accompanied by an increas-
ed consumption of the hemp drugs. And to this a reasonable addition must be
made on account of an increase of 5 millions in the population in the twenty
years' period. There is no reason to doubt that increase of consumption assign-
able to these two causes has actually occurred, for they are to all intents and
purposes independent of any check or restriction arising out of the present sys-
tem of hemp drug excise. The evidence shows that bhang has not got dearer;
that the enhanced cost of baluchar, due to the Bengal duty, has been counteract-
ed by the supply of a cheaper article; and that charas has actually been falling
in price, thanks to improved communications.
Increase of revenue due to im-
proved administration.
361. Besides indicating the relationship between the liquor and the hemp drug
habits, the figures of revenue, great though the
expansion has been, do not go far to assist in ascer-
taining whether the consumption of the hemp drugs has grown or not. There is
the probability that the demand has increased, bringing greater profits and con-
sequently more keen competition amongst the purchasers of the farms. But Mr.
Stoker's remarks lead to the belief that the enhancement of the revenue has been
due partly to improved management, resulting in the checking of clandestine
practices, or, as he describes it, the stopping of "leakage." To judge by the
instances given, losses of this sort were very considerable; and this reform, to-
gether with the prevention of smuggling and illicit traffic, would go far to account
for the increase.
Direct testimony as to increase.
362. Turning to the evidence, there is little definite testimony of increased con-
sumption, in which it is clear that the opinion is based
on actual observation. There are not in this province
as there are in Bengal definite statistics on which to form an opinion as to increase
or decrease. The preponderance of testimony is in favour of increasing consump-
tion, and the high price of liquor is more frequently alleged as the cause than
anything else. Witness (20) makes a very definite statement on this point.
Allied to the reason connected with liquor is found the closing of chandu and
madak shops mentioned by some witnesses. Other causes given are the acces-
sibility and cheapness of the drugs, the weakening of social and religious re-
straints, facilities for travelling leading to the circulation of bad habits, general
demoralization, and the increase of poverty and the number of sadhus and mendi-
cants. It is stated by some witnesses that under Moghal rule the drugs were pro-
hibited and their consumption suppressed by penalties such as whipping and
mutilation, and that the present liberty has degenerated into license. On the other
hand, the perversity which drives people to do what is restricted or prohibited is
alleged by another as the cause of increase. Another attributes increase to ex-
perience of the beneficial effects of use of the drugs. It appears that there is an
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