144 REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. [CH. VIII.
it was only that taxed ganja was substituted for untaxed and illicitly obtained
ganja, the great increase would have shown itself in the earlier years after culti-
vation of the ganja-bearing plant was placed under restriction, imports watched,
and all illicit cultivation severely punished;" (3) the increase has occurred
notwithstanding that the price of ganja has been raised to five times what it
was in 1875-76; (4) as high a still-head duty as possible has been placed on
liquor, and ganja is comparatively a cheap and convenient, because portable,
stimulant; and (5) the excise arrangements have advertised the drug and made
it popular, and supplied a superior quality of it. These arguments include
nearly all that have been urged by other witnesses, except the one that with
those who seek a stimulant, the hemp drugs have the advantage over liquor
that they are not prohibited by the Hindu religion. But after all Mr. Neill,
like the vast majority of the witnesses all over India, appears not to speak from
personal observation of the use. The evidence of Colonel Doveton, Conservator
of Forests, is important as bearing upon the use of ganja among the jungle
tribes. He describes this as more common than formerly. It is to be regretted
that more information has not been furnished to explain the extraordinary high
consumption in the Balaghat district, which must have a large population of the
jungle tribes, and, it may be added, the great increase of the sale in the last five
years. The construction of the Bengal-Nagpur Railway must have had con-
siderable effect in the consumption of the districts through which it passes east
of Balaghat. Special enquiries are being made by the Central Provinces Gov-
ernment regarding the increased consumption in the districts where it is most
marked.
Increase on the balance of evid-
ence.
380. There are not wanting witnesses to assert that the use is on the decrease,
and many believe that there is neither increase nor
decrease. The statistics show that in ten districts
there is either decrease or no very remarkable increase in the retail sale in the
last five years. But the Commission, looking to the balance of evidence sup-
ported by the statistics, cannot resist the conclusion that increased use accounts
in some measure for the general growth of the revenue and registered con-
sumption. They note that in more than one place the increase of revenue is
attributed in part to the supply of a superior quality of drug. That the Khandwa
drug is superior may be the case, but there is evidence that the local produce
is preferred in the extreme east of the province, and it is in these regions that
the greatest increase has occurred.
Feudatory States.
Extent of use.
381. The supply of Khandwa ganja to the Feudatory States and zamindaris
has steadily increased during the last ten years from
80 maunds to 273 (paragraph 66 of Excise Memo-
randum). The final figure represents a consumption by 13,650 smokers by the
standard used for the calculations of the province. There is no evidence to
show that the use has increased or decreased. The zamindars and feudatories
had an ample supply of ganja of local growth before the Excise Department
undertook to supply them, and it is possible that the old sources of supply of
local growth are not yet quite closed, though the evidence shows the contrary.
Madras.
382. In the Madras Presidency the only form of the drug which need be consi-
dered for the present purpose is ganja. Charas is
only very exceptionally used, and there is no record
of the amount imported. Bhang is not a distinct article from ganja. The liquid