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REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94.
[APP.
BALUCHISTAN (QUETTA-PISHIN) MEMORANDUM.
No. 7432, dated the 30th December 1893.
From—The Political Agent and Deputy Commissioner, Quetta-Pishin,
To—The Agent to the Governor-General and Chief Commissioner in Baluchistan.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your office endorsement No. 6286, dated
the 17th ultimo, forwarding a copy of the correspondence from the Secretary, Indian Hemp
Drugs Commission.
2. In reply I beg to report that the only social body which seemed likely to take an in-
terest in the matter appeared to me the " Band of Hope, Baluchistan," Quetta. It is com-
prised of men of almost all religious denominations, and the object is the total abstinence from
all intoxicating drugs and drinks. A copy of the questions set forth by the Commission, to-
gether with a copy of the correspondence, was sent to the Secretary, who has written to say
that "the society is not in a position to answer the questions."
3. The questions were sent to the Assistant Political Agent, Quetta, the Extra Assistant
Commissioner, Pishin, and the Native Assistant, Chaman. The replies furnished by the
Extra Assistant Commissioner, Pishin, is marked A. The other two officers have not answered
any of the questions.
4. The questions set forth for "medical evidence" were forwarded to the following
officers:—
(1) Principal Medical Officer, Quetta
1 copy.
(2) Agency Surgeon, for Civil Surgeon, Quetta, Hospital Assistant,
Quetta, Pishin, and Chaman
4 copies.
They were requested to furnish the replies by the 15th instant, but no answer has yet
been received. Their replies will be submitted to you immediately they are received in this
office.
5. I have recorded my own replies to the questions, which are marked B.
6. A statement was attached to the Secretary's letter No. 28, dated the 11th August
1893, which requires information from 1873-74 to 1892-93. The Quetta-Pishin district was
formed only in 1883, but I regret that the figures are not available for more than three years.
These, too, as far as the number of retail licenses goes, are not very accurate, the information
having been obtained from the contractors.
The contractors cannot furnish the quantities imported each year, nor the amount of each
drug sold. One contract is given for intoxicating drugs, and the revenue derived from bhang,
ganja, and charas respectively cannot be ascertained. From the statistics obtained for the
first six months, April to September, of the current financial year, it appears that proportion
of sales of the three articles is approximately as under:—
Bhang
1
Charas
12
Ganja
1
14
7. The sale of these drugs is now regulated by the rules framed by the Revenue Commis-
sioner on the 14th July 1893, which are embodied (vide pages 21, 22, 25, and 26) in a memo-
randum on the excise system of this district, a copy of which is enclosed, marked D.
8. In the third paragraph of his letter No. 28, dated the 11th August 1893, the Secre-
tary has asked that a memorandum should be prepared setting forth clearly and fully the
system of administration at present in force in respect to these drugs. To this letter a note is
added containing the points in regard to which the Commission specially desire information.
I beg to record below the information as far as this district is concerned:—
(a) The system is uniform in the district. The general control rests with the Deputy
Commissioner. The administration of the system, which is based on Act XXII
of 1881 and the rules made thereunder by the Revenue Commissioner, is carried
out by the Assistant Political Agent at Quetta, the Extra Assistant Commis-
sioner at Pishin, and the Native Assistant at Chaman.
(b) Wild hemp is not found in this district.