1 SALT REVENUB DEPARTMENT FOR THE OFFICIAL YEAR 1894-95.
2 (the great mart for Sultdénpuri salt) is actually lessthan from REVIEW BY SECTIONS,
3 Sulténpur, although the distance is over 100 miles more. The WORKS.
4 Hakim cess is right in principle, as it undoubtedly represents SULTANPUR SALT.
5 the State share in the produce ofthe soil, and is analogous
6 to land revenue. But itis amatter of policy to reduce it under.
7 present circumstances. - The only hope for the continuance of -
8 the Sultdnpur trade is in the reduction of this burden. If the
9 trade ceases, of course no cess will be abtained at all. I amin
10 favour. of a reduction of the cess to 3 pies per maund—an
11 amount which would not handicap the trade unduly. This
12 would maintain the principle of a State share in the produce and
13 also allow the zaminddrs to get their Pachotra, which is a
14 recognition of their proprietary right. I am in correspondence
15 with the Commissioner of the Delhi Division on this subject.
16 The interests of the Government of India are not concerned
17 in the matter. Ifthe Sulténpur salt sources were closed there
18 would, of course, be no decrease in sales. The amount would
19 at once be made up by an increase in the sale of Sambhar salt.
20 The Hakimi cess, too, is’ paid to the Punjab Government,
21 not to the Government of India. But I am anxious to save
22 these sources in-the interést of the owners, as there is a good
23 deal of capital invested in them, and, still more in the interests
24 of the people of the neighbourhood, to whom the works afford.
25 remunerative employment at atime when field labour is not
26 available. The cessation of this industry would cause great
27 distress to the labouring classes, especially in years of drought
28 and high prices, which unfortunately are not uncommon in the
29 district. I think it probable that the Punjab Government may
30 see matters in this light and agree to my proposal.
31 35, The following statement shows the gross realizations _SAMBHAR.
32 the fixed and contingent charges, and the net revenue of the Receipts, charges and uet
33 Sambhar Division for the past and three preceding years :-—
34 Gross realizations. hh Charges,
35 ‘Year. Excise Sale [Miscella- . Contin- soar
36 auly oe price. | neous. Total. Fixed. gent. Total.
37 Rs. o Bs. Rs. Rs. Rs, Rs. Bs, Rs.
38 1891-92 | 1,14,07,281] 7,79,322| 38,689 1,22,25,292! 1,24,296] 2,40,392 3,64,688; 1,18,60,604
39 1892-93 | 1,27,61,504| 8,52,991] 47,597 1,36,62,092 1,11,584) 96,680) 2,08,264 1,34,53,828
40 1893-94 69,75,353] 9,53,395} 24,174 79,52,922 1,18,462! 1,66,435| 2,84,897 76,68,025
41 1894-95 | 1,00,54,045/10,97,448] 32,772 1,11,84,265 1,23,536) 2,54,856) 3,78,392 1,08,05,873
42 Inerease in gross realizae
43 tions and net revenue
44 With the exception of the year 1893-94 (during which period _—_ explained.
45 on accgunt of low stocks, unfavourable weather for manufac-
46 ture, and the necessity that arose from these causes for raising
47 the price of the salt to 8 annas a maund, in order to cheek sales,
48 the income of the Sambhar Lake fell off by some 57 lakhs of
49 rupees compared with 1892-93), the gross realizations of the
50 year under review fall short of those of every previous year
51 since, and including 1890-91, as follows —
52 Decrease in 1894-95 as compared with 1890-91 Rs, 5,12,975 or 4°88 per cent,
53 Do. do. 1891-92 » 10,41,027 or 8°51 rf
54 Do, do. 1892-93 ,, 24577,827 or 1813,
55 ( 27 )