DHOLPUR STATE MEMORANDUM.

1. The hemp plant, i.e., ganja, charas, and bhang, are not produced in this State. They are under the control of the Customs Department.

2. Hemp drugs are not manufactured here. Bhang is generally imported from the British districts and the Bhurtpur State, ganja from the Gwalior State, and charas from Patiala.

3. The duties levied upon bhang and ganja are Rs. 4-4-0 per maund and on charas Re. 1-1-0 per seer. The rates of duty imposed on these drugs in the Sir Muthra Estate are given in the statement* attached.

(a) Uniformity of system prevails throughout the State. There is only one contractor for these intoxicating drugs in the State, while in the parganas he has his sub-contractors. This contract is in the charge of the customs officer.

(b) Wild hemp, i.e., ganja, charas, and bhang, is not found in the State, nor is any drug manufactured from it.

(c) The cultivation of intoxicating drugs is prohibited throughout the State without permission of the Darbar. There is no particular locality, in which cultivation is restricted. It is generally the custom throughout the whole territory to obtain permission before they are cultivated. The cultivation is under the control of the customs officer. Persons cultivating without permission are punished.

(d) The contractors import these drugs by rail and road from the British districts and Gwalior and Patiala States under passes granted by the Political Agent and the Collectors concerned.

(e) In this State contract is given for the sale of intoxicating drugs for a certain period. It is under control of the Customs Department.

( f ) Ganja, charas, and bhang are not produced in the State, and hence the rates of land revenue cannot be given. The rates of duty levied on these drugs, when imported into the State by a trader or contractor, are given in answer (3). The sellers of these drugs, if found to haveevaded payment of the duties, are punished.

(g) There is only one contractor for the State. He has bis own sub-contractors in the parganas. The number of shops is not determined with reference to area and population. There are in all twelve shops in the parganas besides the general contractor. The retail sale ven- dors do not purchase these drugs from the wholesale vendors, but import them from outside, i.e., bhang from British districts, ganja from Gwalior territory, and charas from Agra and Patiala. These drugs are sold at one price throughout the State, viz. :—

Ganja, at ½ seer per rupee.
Bhang, at 1½  to 2 seers per rupee.
Charas, at 2 ehitaks per rupee.

(h) The retail vendors do not purchase these drugs from the wholesale vendors, but bring them from foreign districts. The price of these drums does not differ in any place in the State. They are sold at one and the same price throughout the State.

(i) No maximum amount is fixed. These drugs are sold at one price.

(j) As far as possible, smuggling from or to other places does not take place, nor is illicit cultivation carried on, nor is illicit possession allowed. No one except the contractor is allowed to sell these drugs.

(k) None.

(l) Ganja, charas, and bhang are not cultivated in the State. The yearly trade in ganja, charas and bhang is as follows :—

Ganja is imported from Antri, (Gwalior), bhang from Kanauj, Chupra, Mhow, and Kerowli state, and charas from Agra and Patiala.