148
REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94.
[APP.
the rules as to their retention and production " true and correct" are rigidly enforced.
These returns show the consumption to be on the increase, for it was 26,554 seers seven years
ago, while in 1892-93 it was 57,045 seers for Ganja and majum.
(g) Causes of rise indicated and improvements suggested.—The rise is not wholly due to
either the increase in population or to more persons taking to the consumption of the drug,
but partially to these two causes combined with the enforcement of the rules generally for the
whole province. In the City and Station of Bangalore, however, this increase is not so marked
as in the outlying districts, but the reverse. The Government returns, however, do not at all
represent the actual consumption, as both the clandestine production of the drug in the Pro-
vince and the import thereof prevail to a very considerable extent. This is mainly due to the
superior qualify and freshness of the contraband "kulli" or " mulki" stuff over the stale
and very inferior article offered by the Government contractor. The lack of encouragement
afforded to informers and the very light sentences passed by the Magistracy for this offence
greatly conduce to the rules being infringed as also to the existence of clandestine culrivation
which is hard to detect and the import of the contraband drug which can be readily done with
impunity. The Excise staff is too weak to cope with this evil, and but little encouragement
is given to the men to stimulate their zeal. 1 proposed that the price of opium be raised to
that at which it is sold in Her Majesty's territory, and that the price of ganja in the latter
be raised to that sold in Mysore. This would remove the inducement of opium, the property
of the Mysore State, after being sold to the shop-keeper, being smuggled into Her Majesty's
territory; while ganja raised in Her Majesty's territory will not then find its way into Mysore.
Both Governments would be benefited and each would be restricted to its own legitimate wants,
and know its own consumption more accurately. To ensure both Governments realizing a fair
and just revenue from this source the production of ganja must be worked on the same lines
as opium is with special concession to those who want to raise the plants for fibre only. In
that case the village Revenue officers should see that Government revenue does not suffer
by the disposal of the drug to the consumer or retail dealer, but only to the Government
farmer. The surplus crop of drugs should be destroyed after 6 months if not sold to the
farmer or exported. Preserved as it is in bulk and so carelessly secured from atmospheric
air it rapidly deteriorates and becomes stale and unfit for use as the resin is dissipated. The
drug turns black and mouldy and becomes noxions. The matter of equalizing the prices
of I the two drugs was referred to the Resident by the Durbar, but I am not aware of
result. In large towns I suggested that the Municipal and Octroi owners be invested
with powers of "Excise othcers." They might be paid by results in the shape of
rewards. Government approved of the step, but local action does not appear to have been
taken. Considering that Government have made over several items of revenue to local
bodies and in some places also the license fees on spirits, while mohatarfa as a separate cess
is levied on drug-shops, the casual aid of such Municipal officials might, with propriety be
legitimately claimed by Government from such local bodies, especially as this will not inter-
ferc with their legitimate duties as the aid thus given will only be occasional.
(h) Preparation of fiber and its market value.—All that is required to prepare the fibre is to
strip the leaves off and sever the branches, leaving clear switches or canes. These are tied
into sheaves and cast, into the first convenient pit of water and allowed to soak there. When
the rind slips off readily between the fore-linger and the thumb pressed against the branch it is
ready to be removed. This rind is beaten or trampled with the foot in the water to remove
the outer coming. The result is a clean soft fibre which makes excellent cordage, cloth for
packing, and bags for grain, &c. The following extract from Dr. Balfour's Cyelopodia (pages
43 and 44) will prove iutcresting and gives the market price of the fibre in England and
Lahore:—
Agricultural and Commercial.
"The hemp plants grow in Persia, Syria, Arabia, and throughout
India. In some
places for its fibre; in others, and generally, for
its intoxicating products.
In Kangra and
the Punjab it grows spontaneously and in abundance everywhere in the sub-
montane tracts in the Sutlej Valley, between Rampur and Sanganam, at an
elevation of 3,000 to 7,000 feet, hut is cultivated for the fibre only in the eastern
portions of Kangra and Simla Hills. In 1859 an experimental consignment
of two tons of Himalayan hemp was valued in the English market at from
£30 to £32 perton. The price at Lahore is about £15 to £16 per ton."
IV.—Ganja Statistics.—The
following tables I and II give the consumption of drugs in
the province and the Civil and Military Station of Bangalore for the past 7 years and Govern-
ment revenue for the same period respectively. The contractor is bound to pay a fixed
guaranteed amount yearly which is obtained on tenders. This is realized in twelve monthly
instalments. Fees of six and two annas per seer of ganja and majum respectively sold to
licensed retail dealers are levied. If a larger amount is obtained by the rates prescribed than
that guaranteed yearly, it is retained by Government, and booked as "excess sales" for that