1 SALT REVENUE DEPARTMENT FOR THE OFFICIAL YEAR 1896-97,
2 years was deficient, having been 10°09 inches in 1895-96 and
3 13°31 inches in 189697. The fall of the past year occurred
4 as follows :—
5 Inches.
6 In June 676
7 9 J uly 2°74
8 » August 3°40
9 » November “26
10 » December ‘03
11 » January 13
12 Total ow. 13°31
13 This distribution was unfavourable. More than half of
14 the entire fall occurred in June on two dates, the 3rd and
15 24th of June. The great heat which followed resulted in
16 rapid evaporation, and much of the benefit of the fall was lost.
17 The Jast fall of the monsoon occurred in August, and Septem-
18 ber and October were rainless months. ‘Owing to this the
19 brine springs fell very low, and the rapid crystallization of
20 salt in the concentrated brine of the pits resulted in the
21 formation of crystals smaller in size and less lustrous than
22 usual. I trust that the monsoon rains of 1897 will be favour-
23 able, and in such case the source will recover itself.
24 54, The Luni salt tract forms a part of the Pachbadra Divi.
25 sion. There was nochange during the past year in the strength
26 of the establishment posted onthe Luni river. It comprised an
27 Inspector with forty-eight subordinates, and a medical staff of
28 a hospital assistant, a compounder and two menial servants.
29 The expenditure under fixed charges amounted to Rs. 6,550
30 during the year under report compared with Rs. 6,445 during
31 1895-96, an increase of Rs. 105, owing to fluctuations in leave
32 allowances. Under contingencies, the expenditure was Rs. 765
33 against Rs. 725 in 1895-96, a small increase of Rs. 40 in petty
34 items of expense. ‘
35 Though the deposits of salt in the Luni river and in the
36 channels of its delta were very important, yet they were not
37 as extensive as usual owing to the deficiency in the monsoon
38 rainfall of 1895 and 1896. Allsalt which formed was carefully
39 and efficiently guarded. ;
40 As usual, free salt was issued during the year to the inhabi-
41 tants of the salt tract. Maunds 5,235-12-0 were distributed, at
42 the rate of six seers to each, to 35,022 persons inhabiting 38
43 villages in the Sanchor pargana of the Jodhpur State; and
44 maunds 12-12-0 were also issued free to a squadron of the Jodh-
45 pur Imperial Service Cavalry which was posted in the delta of
46 the Luni river in connection with the suppression of dacoity on
47 the Sindh border. The salt was all obtained from natural
48 deposits which formed in the channel of the delta called the
49 Mithi river, and its issue was personally supervised by the
50 Inspector in charge of the Tract.
51 55. The following statement shows the realizations, the
52 fixed and contingent charges and the net revenue of the Falodi
53 Salt Source during the past and three preceding years :—
54 Gross realizations. Charges.
55 2 - @ <
56 ve. [2 | 2 | & 5 3
57 ¥ 3 me 3 q sS Zz 7 a
58 Py 2 2 $ z | 3
59 a®|] 3 3 é & | 8 & zi
60 + Rs. Re. Rs, Rs. Rs, Bs. Rs. Re.
61 1893-94 ves oer 2,813 Pon 2,813 1,098 6,571 7,669 | 4,856
62 1894-95 esa ive 2,025 ae 2,025 | 1,205} 288} 1,443} +582
63 1895-96 as ass 1,986 oon 1,986 1,564 244, 1,808 +178
64 1896-97 ase se 2,812 ae 2,812 1,474 506 1,980 {| +832
65 a re a Sg ee pe
66 REVIEW BY SECTIONS.
67 PACHBADRA.
68 Establishment in the Luni
69 Salt Tract, 5
70 Free salt to inhabitants
71 of the Luni Salt Tract.
72 FALODI.
73 Receipts, charges and net
74 revenue.