CH. XIV.] REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. 289
Question of introducing a Gov-
ernment monopoly for hemp drugs
discussed.
589. The Commission have considered the question of adopting in respect
of ganja, and possibly also of charas, a system of Gov-
ernment monopoly similar to the opium excise system.
The Bengal Government considered this question both in 1877 and in 1887, and
declined to entertain the proposal. In this province there are now several advo-
cates of the system, viz.:—
(1) Hon'ble D. R. Lyall, C.S.I., Member, Board of Revenue,
(17) Mr. K. G. Gupta, Excise Commissioner,
(13) Mr. H. C. Williams, Collector,
(12) Mr. A. C. Tute, Collector,
(11) Mr. F. H. B. Skrine, Collector,
(33) Mr. R. H. Renny, Deputy Commissioner,
(30) Mr. A. E. Harward, Officiating Collector,
and seven other official and non-official witnesses. And Mr. Nolan, Commis-
sioner, (7), though he is averse to the idea of a Government monopoly,
advocates the establishment of a single centre for the whole of India from
which the supply of ganja should be issued, its production being prohibited
in all other places; and adds that the wants of all India could be supplied
from Naogaon. It is almost needless to say that if such a proposal were
entertained, the monopoly of supply must rest with the Government, and
the Commission are by no means inclined to think that the arrangement
would be a good one. The arguments for a Government monopoly are that the
control of supply, quality, and price of the drug would be more complete; that
Government would secure the profits now enjoyed by wholesale vendors or other
middlemen; that consumption would be limited to the minimum demand; and
that the cultivators of the plant would be in a better position in having to deal
direct with Government. The Commission have given full consideration to these
arguments, and have arrived at the conclusion that the objections to the system on
the whole outweigh its recommendations, while the objects above enumerated can
be sufficiently attained without its adoption. There is in the first place the sentiment-
al objection to Government identifying itself more closely with the traffic—an ob-
jection to which, having regard to the best interests of the people, the Commission
are not disposed to attach much weight, while, on the other hand, it is most probable,
if the measure were adopted, that the motive would be misunderstood and the policy
severely criticised by those who are not acquainted with the facts. But the practical
objections are more serious. The Government would be undertaking an enormous
risk in purchasing the whole of the produce and storing and distributing it to the
different provinces. For ganja or charas is a perishable commodity to a greater
degree than opium, and the demand for the whole of India and for most of the
provinces is very little known. Again, the establishment of such a system would
require an amount of attention and detailed administration not only involving
large expenditure in the appointment of a separate department, but also much
of the time and energies of superior servants of Government which could not be
spared from the ever increasing demands of the general administration. Further,
the administration of the excise on hemp drugs is in most provinces in a backward
state, and the arrangements are by no means ripe for the assumption by Govern-
ment of operations at present conducted by private enterprise under conditions but
imperfectly ascertained. And, finally, such a system would involve complete and
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