1 SALT REVENUE DEPARTMENT FOR THE OFFICIAL YEAR 1896497.
2 As compared with 1895-96 and previous years, there was a
3 considerable falling off during the year under report in the
4 amount of revenue collected. Out of a total quantity of maunds
5 33,75,508 of Punjab Rock salt and Sambhar and Pachbadra salts
6 issued under the through traffic system, the post-office collected
7 the revenue on maunds 52,272 only.
8 10. During the year under report the Indian Midland
9 Railway continued to receive, free of charge, the revenue of
10 this Department on salt sold under. the through traffic system.
11 The business done was small, though the arrangements worked
12 smoothly. Revenue was collected on 56,231 maunds of salt
13 as compared with 49,567 maunds during 1895-96 and 57,227
14 maunds during 1894-95. The increase as compared with 1895-
15 96 occurred in connection with both Sambhar and Pachbadra.
16 salt. The quantity of Punjab Rock salt dealt with was nominal,
17 as the trade in that salt with the country traversed by the rail-
18 way is small.
19 11. Full details of the receipts and charges and of the
20 operations of each section of the Department will be found in
21 the succeeding paragraphs.
22 The following table shows the total fixed and contingent
23 charges of the Central Office during the past four years :—
24 Year. Fixed |Contingent.) Total.
25 Rs,
26 1893-94 13,865 85,296
27 1894-95 ‘70,506 12,789 83,295
28 1895-96 ast tes ae 71,932 11,260 83,192
29 1896-97 aa av ies 74,370 11,356 85,726
30 Under fixed charges there is an increase of Rs. 2,438 as
31 compared with 1895-96.- This may be explained as follows :—
32 (1) An increase of Rs. 6,797 in the pay of the Commissioner,
33 owing to the permanent incumbent having been on three months’ |
34 privilege leave during the year, and to the acting otticer having
35 also drawn pay fromthe Department ; (2) an increase of Rs. 212
36 in pay of clerks owing to one clerk of a higher grade having —
37 drawn pay in the Central Office; and (3) Rs. 45 having been
38 paid as compensation for dearness of food-grain to the subor-
39 dinate establishment. On-the other hand, (1) a decrease of
40 Rs. 2,292 in the pay of the Deputy Commissioner, owing to the
41 permanent incumbent being on furlough and the acting officer
42 having drawn a smaller salary ; (2) a decrease of Rs. 770 in the
43 pay of the Personal Assistant, the salary of the present incum-
44 bent being less than that of his predecessor, and (3) a decrease
45 of Rs. 1,554 in exchange compensation allowance owing partly
46 to fluctuations in the rate of exchange and partly toa smaller
47 sum having been diawn by the officiating Deputy Commis-
48 sioner.
49 Under contingencies there is a small increase of Rs 96
50 during the past year as compared with 1895-96. This differ-
51 ence is arrived at as follows:—(1) an increase of Rs. 489 in
52 the cost of conveyance of tents and records owing to more
53 extended tours of officers; (2) an increase of Rs. 121 in the cost
54 of repairs to tents ; (3) an increase of Rs. 29 in hot weather
55 charges; (4) an increase of Rs. 89 in service postage ; (5) an
56 inerease of Rs. 66 in the charges against the annual clothing
57 grant, and (6) an inerease of Rs. 39 under miscellaneous items.
58 On the other hand, (1) a decrease of Rs. 650 under travelling
59 (7)
60 GENERAL REVIEW.
61 Collection of salt Revenue
62 by station masters on
63 the Indian Midland
64 Railway.
65 REVIEW BY SECTIONS.
66 CENTRAL OFFICE.
67 Increase in fixed
68 and contingent charges
69 explained.