HC Deb 20 March 1906 vol 154 cc205-7
MR. T. HART-DAVIES (Hackney, N.)

To ask the Secretary of State for India what are the total numbers of persons

On works. Gratuitously relieved. Total.
Ajmer 22,671 1,223 23,894
Merwara 23,923 2,626 26,549
Bijapur 1,697 4,125 5,822
Sholapur 951 303 1,254
Belgaum 3,385 3,316 6,701
Total 52,627 11,593 64,220

The total number of persons on works or gratuitously relieved in India in

On works. Gratuitously relieved. Total.
British India 155,302 32,312 187,614
Native States 81,771 13,482 95,253
Total 237,073 45,794 282,867

On the Commission's Report being published, the preparation of programmes of village works was taken in hand in

on famine relief works or obtaining gratuitous relief, and the numbers of such persons in the districts of Ajmere, Marwarra, Bijapur, Sholapur, and Belgaum, respectively; whether any village water-storage works, as distinguished from large irrigation schemes, have been constructed in those districts since the Irrigation Commission's Report was published; and whether the Agricultural Department has been able to promote to any appreciable extent the cultivation of drought-resisting plants suitable for providing cattle with fodder.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) According to the latest Returns, the number of persons on famine relief works or obtaining gratuitous relief in the five districts are, respectively, as follows:—

cluding Native States, on the same date was:—

these and other districts by the revenue authorities, the more important schemes in the programmes being referred for further examination to the Public Works Department. I am unable to say how many village works have actually been constructed. They are for the most part of limited public utility, and in ordinary times would not be executed from general revenues, but by private individuals, the village community, or the district board. In years of drought they form useful relief works, on which the State can find employment for the people. In the present season they are being so utilised. The agricultural departments in the several provinces are conducting experiments with a number of drought-resisting plants, but so far without marked success