HC Deb 17 June 1889 vol 337 cc1-5

Ordered—Address for Return of the Resolution of the Government of India (published in India in October 1888) on the Reports furnished to the Viceroy on the condition of the country and the people, together with such Reports and a comparative statement for the years 1875–6 and 1887–8, showing—

  1. 1. Since 1875–6 (the years preceding the great famine of 1877–8) the improved or deteriorated condition of the masses, with rate of wages paid, amount of work available, and such other information as will show the condition of the population;
    2. 2
  2. 2. The Presidencies or Provinces in which the improvement or deterioration has taken place, with any special circumstances in the respective districts accounting for such improvement or decadence;
  3. 3. The average ration per diem for the agricultural labourer in those districts where the population is shown to press on the means of subsistence, with particulars as to food stuffs, other than grain, consumed by the poorest villagers;
  4. 4. The increased area of cultivation of all kinds of food grains, but particularly of rice and millet;
  5. 5. The average out-turn per acre by Presidencies, Provinces, and Districts of the tracts recorded as under cultivation in 1875–6 during each of the past 12 years, indicating—
    6. 3
    A. B. C. D.
    Province District. Larger. Smaller. Surplus being sufficient for—months food. Deficit
    Acres. Tons. Acres. Tons. Tons. Acres. Tons.
  6. 6. The average out-turn per acre of the waste lands brought under cultivation, with effect of such additions upon the Revenue;
  7. 7. The cost of cultivation of good, bad, and indifferent land in 1875–6 and in 1887–8;
  8. 8. Employment found for labourers on public works, specifying separately the famine relief works of 1887–8;
  9. 9. The precise purposes to which the Famine Insurance Fund has been applied in each year since the tax was imposed, indicating—
    10. 4
    A. B. C. D. E.
    1. Commercial 2. Protective. Irrigation works specifying areas served, and additional quantities of food stuffs raised Other works intended to protect the Country against Famine. Actual relief distress. Upon other objects.
    1877
    1878
    1879
    &c.
  10. 10. Showing whether the Famines of 1877–8 were occasioned (a) by actual want of food stuffs, or (b) by want of means on the part of the people to purchase food;
  11. 11. Number of agricultural cattle of all kinds, showing increase or decrease in each province;
  12. 12. The use of manure, and whether more easily procurable and more availed of than previously;
  13. 13. Indebtedness of cultivators, whether increasing or decreasing, and the 5 operation of the Deccan Ryots' Relief Act upon the indebtedness of the ryots, with the effect of agricultural banks where these exist;
  14. 14. Number of peasant proprietors owning five acres of land in 1875–6 and 1887–8;
  15. 15. Amount of aid granted annually during the past 15 years to cultivators under the Land Improvements Act;
  16. 16. Specifying the various irrigation canals and other irrigation works, showing—
A. B. C. D. E.
Extent of land irrigated Description of crops and amount. Out-turn. Districts and Populations absolutely protected form Famine by irrigation. Possible extension of irrigation.
1875–6. 1887–8 1875–6. 1887–8. Increase. Decrease. 1875–6. 1887–8

And distinguishing between (a) Ancient works which have required no repairs or additions; (b) Ancient works to which repairs or additions have been required; and (c) New works since 1800.—(Bradlaugh.)

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