§ MR. BRADLAUGHasked the Under Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that severe distress, amounting to famine and requiring Government relief on an extensive scale, now prevails in the district of Ganjam, in the Madras Presidency; if he would state what steps are being taken by the Government of Madras to relieve such distress; and whether the report made by Mr. J. H. Garstin, C.S.I., of his visit to and inspection of Ganjam in December last has reached this country and can be laid upon the Table of this House?
SIR J. GORSTThe Reports received from the Government of Madras do not corroborate the statement that severe distress amounting to famine prevails in Ganjam; and the Governor in Council has telegraphed to-day as follows, in answer to the Secretary of State's inquiries—
Condition Ganjam unchanged. Private prices stationary. Showers fallen in some places. Private import of food grains sufficient. Number of persons employed on relief, works under 13,000. Pecuniary relief to 800 Scarcity, but no deaths from starvation.1092 Two large relief works have been opened since December. The number of persons employed on these, on 31st March, was 19,000. Several smaller ones have been sanctioned, and the Local Officers provided with funds to open them if required. Authority has been given to the Local Officers to grant gratuitous relief to prevent starvation, and the necessary means have been provided. Additional Civil Officers including engineers have been sent to Ganjam for the relief works. There is believed to be a sufficient food stock in, the district, and no Government importation is as yet requisite. The Reports from Mr. Garstin on the subject were received in January and will be produced, if moved for, as an unopposed Return.
§ MR. BRADLAUGHDoes the hon. Gentleman say that in the opinion of the Indian Government the necessity for relief works to 13,000 people does not constitute severe distress?