1 (35)
2 or £723,724—deduction “made by British Government from the
3 burdens of the people. If the amount of reduction since Annexation
4 be taken in proportion to Land Revenue as it stood in the first
5 of the -above years, viz. Rupees 1,59,40,722, the decrease will be
6 not less than 25 per cent. It will be observed, however, that for
7 Frequent ‘remissions the last two years the decrease has been dimi-
8 of Revenue. nishing as reduction is gradually reaching its
9 limit, and as the adjustment of the tax is becoming gradually perfected.
10 It is probable however, or indeed certain, that the assessments now
11 being prepared will effect some further reductions. - The incidence of
12 the tax upon the Districts regularly settled may be thus seen. Besides.
13 the permanent reductions, there have been casual remissions of uncollected
14 Revenue as follows :—
15 1851-52... ... Rupees 3,96,712 £ 39,671
16 1852-53
17 face if wey ~~. :20,97,898 £209,789,
18 1854-55 ey 5,61,862 “£ 56,186
19 1855-56 6. ey 0 0 0
20 Total, Rupees ... 30,56,472 or 30 lakhs of
21 Rupees, or £305,647. , ae
22 42. The rate of assessment per acre per annum in the Cis-Sutlej
23 Prevailing rates of as States is Rupees 1-2-4 or 28, 33d. ;. in the Trans-
24 seeement: Siitle} States Rupees 1-15-7 or 3s. 113d.; in the
25 Upper Baree and Rechna Doabs Rupees 1-6-5 or 28. 93d. ; in the Upper
26 Chuch Doab Rupees 1-2-7 or 2s. 33d. It will be observed that the rate
27 diminishes as the Settlement progresses Westward, the country being
28 poorer ;* the same result will occur in the Southern Districts. It is esti-
29 mated that a peasant proprietor cultivates on an average 8 acres, and
30 at a,mean rate of assessment (say Rupees 1-4-0 per acre) would pay
31 Rupees 12 or £1-4-0 per annum to the State. From this point of view
32 the amount would not seem heavy. Again, from searching and accurate
33 inquiry in the Settlement Department, showing the.exact yield and
34 value per acre of every kind of crop, it has been ascertained that the
35 Government demand does not exceed. one-fifth of. the gross value of the
36 “produce in rich tracts, and one-sixth, or one-eighth, or even less, in
37 E
38 ’