1 ( 73 )
2 From the above, it will be seen, that in 1853-54 the surplus amounted
3 to 50 lakhs, in 1854-55 to 32 lakhs, and in 1855-56 to 37 lakhs. The
4 surplus, during the last two years, has accrued from the Territories
5 generally ; but the Punjab Proper has, during these years, ceased to
6 yield its former surplus. This increase of expenditure however has
7 not arisen from enhanced Establishments, or from any ordinary exigency
8 whatever, but solely from the demand for Public Works. When the
9 Board of Administration in 1852 estimated the Punjab surplus, it
10 was supposed that some 9 lakhs per annum for the Punjab Proper
11 and some 2 or 3 lakhs for the Cis and Trans-Sutlej States would
12 be spent on Public Works The estimate of 9 lakhs for the Punjab
13 Large expenditure on WAS low perhaps, but if 12 or even 15 lakhs had
14 Public Works. been allowed, still the Board’s estimate would on
15 the whole have held good. But the actual expenditure has been much
16 greater during the past four years, as may be thus seen :— ,
17 Amount expended on Public Works.
18 1852-53. 1853-54, 1854-55. 1855-56.
19 . Rupees ....,. 20,238,443 21,81,283 43,72,678 37,30,749
20 - OF Lovee 202,844 218,128 437,267 373,074
21 Indeed the expenditure on Public Works in the Punjab by the British
22 Government may be called munificent. The sum total expended from
23 first to last is as follows :—
24 Punjab Proper. Cis & Trans-Sutlgj States. Total.
25 Rupees... .. 1,36,68,998 8,63,497 1,45,32,495
26 or £....... 1,866,899 *: 86,349 1,453,249
27 This, too, is exclusive of money from Local Funds, which amount to—
28 "Punjab Proper. Cis & Trans-Sutlej States. Total.
29 Rupees eooeee 12,15,086 11,52,661 23,66,697
30 or£ ...... 121,503 | 115,266 236,669
31 The British Government has drawn Rs. 14,15,84,094 or £14,158,409*
32 Cost of Public Worke Of gross Revenue from these Territories, on, which
33 from the commencement. an expenditure on Public Works of Rupees
34 1,66,56,776 from the Treasury falls at the rate of 12 per cent. On the
35 * From 1849-50, when expenditure on Public Works first commenced.