§ MR. BARTLEYI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the heavy cost and annual tax which will fall on the Native landholders, British planters, and ryots of the thickly populated Province of Behar by the Cadastral Survey; and whether it is intended to educe this in any way by legislation?
§ * THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. GEORGE RUSSELL,) North BedsThe Secretary of State is aware that the cost of the Survey and Record of Rights in North Behar may reach about eight annas (or nearly 8d.) per acre. This cost will be incurred once for all; but it has not yet been finally decided what share of the cost will fall upon the landholders and ryots and what upon the Government. The cost of maintaining the Survey and Record of Rights, under the scheme now put forward, is limited to one-quarter anna per rupee of the annual value, that is to about 3¾d. in the £1 of the rental. Half of this (or less than 2d. in the £1) will fall on the landlords and half on the tenants. The charge is not considered heavy in proportion to the benefits secured; and no legislation is at present contemplated on the subject.
§ MR. BARTLEYThen do I understand that that implies there will be a permanent extra 2d. in the £1 tax in this part of India?
§ * MR. GEORGE RUSSELLYes, Sir. A tax of 2d. in the £1 on the rental of laud is proposed.