316 REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. [CH. XVI
monopolist has been called upon to pay a certain amount per sér in addition to
the direct duty of Rs. 2 per sér, the rate varying in different districts and being
generally determined by tender. Such tender is limited by the necessity of sup-
plying retail vendors at Rs. 3 per sér to an amount per sér less than Re. 1.
The object of this measure was to fix the difference between the duty on the drug,
Rs. 2 per sér, and the price at which it was to be sold to retail vendors, Rs. 3,
at a figure considerably in excess of the cost price of the drug, and to put up the
gross profits thereby secured to the wholesale vendor to auction in the form of
tender. It was thought that this would practically raise the direct duty in the
districts where the cost price of the drug was least, and so equalize prices through-
out the province. Cultivation in British territories has been concentrated, and
since 1891 it has only been allowed in the Khandwa tahsil of the Nimar dis-
trict.
Table showing the results of the
ganja administration from 1882-83
to 1892-93.
647. During the changes above described there were great fluctuations in
the area of cultivation, but the revenue steadily
increased.
The amount of consumption is not
available.
From 1882-83 the statistics are more
complete, and the tabular statement subjoined will show the progress of the
administration in regard to exports and consumption of ganja, the amount and
rate of taxation, and the number of shops. Column 2 contains the figures as
accurately as possible for the area cultivated; the table appended to the Excise
Commissioner's memorandum gives the areas for which licenses were taken out,
which were generally in excess of the area actually cultivated. Column 5, show-
ing the fixed duty, represents the Rs. 2 per sér duty levied on all ganja issued to
the retail vendors of the province. Column 6 represents retail license fees, and
the amounts, called wholesale license fees, obtained in accordance with the
tenders of wholesale vendors:—
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
QUANTITY OF GANJA.
Year.
Area
cultivated
in acres. Exported.
Sold
(retail)
in the
province.
Fixed
duty.
License fees.
Total.
Total
taxation per
ser (Cols.
4 and 7).
Rates of
fixed
duty.
Number
of retail
licenses.
Popula-
tion per
retail
license.
Mds.
Mds.
Rs.
Rs.
Rs.
Rs. A. P.
Rs.
1882-83
452
2,241
600
47,935
61,676
1,09,612
4 0
1
2
814
11,344
1883-84
834
5,551
757 50,064
68,141
1,27,805
4 3 6
2
851
10,851
1884-85
1,166
4,790
845
66,123
94,491
1,60,614
4 12 0
2
921
10,026
1885-86
1,659
13,380
1,005
77,508
1,13,272
1,90,780
4 11 11
2
956
9,659
1886-87
928
6,052
864
69,473
1,40,859
2,10,332
6
1 4
2
1,026
9,000
1887-88
524
4,227
831
65,244
1,23,350
1,88,594
5 10 9
2
1,026
9,000
1888-89
915
5,052
941
74,191
1,24,054
1,98,244
5 3 10
2
1,081
8,543
1889-90
954
7,933
971
74,836
1,25,770
2,00,606
5 2 8
2
1,078
8,566
1890-91
477
4,108
1,019
78,205 1,32,709
2,10,914
5 2 10
2
1,081 8,596
1891-92
963
3,916
1,156
88,613
1,38,875
2,27,488
4 14 10
2
1,053
8,951
1892-93
984
4,232
1,194
91,629
1,61,141
2,52,770
5 4 8
2
1,047
9,552
Review of Central Provinces
system.
648. It will be seen from this statement that the fixed duty of Rs. 2 per
sér has not been raised since 1882-83. As above
remarked, an increase was contemplated as far back
as 1880-81. In 1887 the Local Administration declined to raise the duty, the
principal reason assigned being that the effect would be to lower the bids for retail
vend monopolies. The total taxation per sér of consumption has slightly decreased