393

57. I have no experience of this.

58. I cannot say that the present system of ex-
cise administration in Bengal is working well,
though no better system could be thought of.

59. The system is all that could be desired in
order to prevent illegal sale of exciseable articles,
but owing to the inefficient working of the system,
the effect produced is not wholesome. The head
of excise administration has, if my information be
correct, made it incumbent on his subordinates
to detect one or two cases of illicit sale every month,
and to secure a conviction of the offender, failing
which the subordinates are either fined, suspended
or dismissed. The excise law, moreover, allows
a handsome reward to such men who detect any
such cases. From what I have heard, this gives
rise to many a false case got up by unscrupulous
subordinate officers, either for the sake of reward

or to please their superiors. Many an unhappy
creature is even sent to jail I understand.

No such reward should, in my opinion, be offered
nor any pressure should be brought to bear upon
the excise subordinates, save only that of thorough
and frequent supervision.

63.  No objection.

64.  No.

65.  Is quite reasonable.

67.  No.

68.  There are shops for the sale of these drugs
where may be found many consuming them on
the premises. I have objection to people smoking
them on the premises of a shop.

69.  Wishes of the people are not consulted be-
fore a shop is opened. But local public opinion
ought to be consulted.

173. Evidence of BABU GIRJAPAT SAHAI, Kayasth, Zamindar, Patna.

1.  Brahmins and other caste people being
asked informed me.

2.  Dr.. Prain's remark appears to be correct,

3.  In Tirhut bhang grows spontaneously.

4.  I don't know.

5.  Not known.

6.  Dense.

7.  No cultivation here.

8,   9, 10 and 11. Not known.

12.  Wild hemp is not cultivat
duction of ganja.

13.  It is not restricted in this province.

14. Not known to me.

15. Method of preparation is not known to me.

16 and 17. Not known.

18.  Quite ignorant of that.

19.   Ganja is used for smoking. Bhang is
used in drinking, eating, and worshipping Siva.
No other use.

20.  Fakirs and sadhus generally smoke ganja
in all the localities.

21 and 22. Not known.

23. Bhang is never used for smoking.

24.  Almost all the Brahmins and other caste
also, but rarely. In all districts in Behar.

25.  To my understanding it is on the increase.

26.  Unable to give any reply.

27.  Brahmins generally take bhang, which they
say helps in their devotions.

28.  The average expenditure for each person of
excessive consumer per day is two annas and that of
moderate two pice.

29.  Round pepper with bhang is generally used,
Dhatura is never used with bhang.

30. Bhang is generally used in solitude. Male
sex of mature age, not children.

31. Those who are habituated from a long time,
it is very difficult for them to give it up at once.

Men beginning with small quantity afterwards
take large quantity.

32. In Siva Puja all Hindus are bound to offer
bhang to the idol. It is also used in medicine.

33. Not known.

34. It would be a serious privation if the drug
be prohibited regarding the priestly classes.

35.  To prohibit the use of the drugs will produce
great inconvenience to the people as well as
discontent.

The prohibition can be enforced by raising the
price of these drugs, whereupon the consumers
shall be obliged to diminish the quantity they
take. This will tend to remove them from such
habits.

36.  Alcohol is never a substitute for it.

37,  38, 39 and 40. Not known.

41.   (a) Bhang and ganja help digestion.

(b)  Bhang and ganja make men indefatigiable.

(c)  Not known.

Labouring classes generally use them for those
purposes, and we generally give bhang and gur to
our horses when overworked.

42.  Moderate use of bhang is harmless, since it
gives necessary stimulation.

43.  I have never seen any ganja and bhang
smoker or drinker to be offensive to his neigh-
bours.

44.  It creates appetite, and the effect lasts for
five or six hours.

45.  (a) Ganja produces noxious effects physi-
cally and mentally, but not morally.

(b)   It does impair.

(c)   No.

(d), (e) and (f) Not known.

47. It is not a hereditary habit. It never affects
children.

51. No.

53.  It never incites unpremeditated crime. It
never excites to homicidal crime.

54.  No.

55.  No stupefication is caused by these drugs.

57. Not known.

58. I am quite ignorant of the present system
of excise administration, and therefore cannot
give any opinion.

62. The cultivation should be controlled by
levying exorbitant taxes on the cultivators.

                                                            3 G