1 REVIEW BY SECTIONS.
2 PACHBADRA:
3 Destination of salt ree
4 moved by xoad.
5 Miscellaneous receipts and
6 charges on through
7 traffic salt.
8 REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE NORTHERN INDIA
9 This branch of trade is gradually dying out. Fora pay-
10 ment of three pies a maund, the Department despatches salt
11 under the through traffic system as expeditiously and more
12 cheaply than mercantile agency. The one despatch of 210
13 maunds cleared during the past year was sent to the station of
14 Marwar-Pali to a Banjara, who thus saved the time which would
15 have been taken in travelling with bullocks to Pachbadra and
16 back, a distance of about 140 miles.
17 The next statement shows the quantities of salt removed
18 by road from the Source during the past four years :—
19 Areas. 1894-95. | 1895-96, | 1896-97. | 1897-98.
20 Mads. Mds. ° Mads, Mds.
21 Central Provinces .. as 1,42,759 61,791 63,879 61,062
22 Bhopal State oe 20,712 23,436 28,842 18,079
23 Meywar ,, 5,255 8,869 6,232 2,183
24 Marwar ” ove oe 125 ee ous aoe
25 Serohi ,, ow oe 49 80 514 ae
26 Total 1,68,900 94,176 94,467 76,323
27 The whole of this salt was removed by Banjara carriers,
28 who use only pack bullocks as a means of carriage.
29 It has often been remarked in previous annual reports
30 that the facilities afforded by railways were likely to result in
31 a decline in the Banjara trade. The railway now carries salt
32 to areas of consumption in a fraction of the time occupied by
33 slow moving droves of Banjara bullocks, and as it is but little
34 handled, it is landed in better condition. The clearances of the
35 past year show a further decline in this trade, and it is probable
36 that a greater decrease will occur in the future. To some
37 extent, Banjaras are adapting themselves to changed conditions,
38 as instead of visiting the Source and buying salt at first hand, —
39 they purchase the supplies they require from through traffic
40 merchants at points on the railway nearest to the areas over
41 which they desire to distribute their goods.
42 The bookings of Banjara traffic are not to be depended upon
43 entirely, and it is not practicable to make them more accurate.
44 A banjara is a wanderer; he sells his salt wherever he can
45 find a profitable market for it; and he consequently books his
46 consignment to the furthest point he thinks he is likely to travel
47 if he cannot effect sales on the way. It is for this reason that
48 a large proportion of this trade is generally booked to the
49 Central Provinces. Some of the salt may reach its nominal
50 destination, but I believe that the greater part of it is disposed
51 of in Meywar and the wild hilly country to the southward of
52 that State.
53 52. The following statement shows the receipts and expen-
54 diture during the year under report in connection with the
55 ( 62 )