§ 25. Sir GEORGE SCOTT ROBERTSONasked how many district boards in the Madras presidency are availing, or have availed, themselves of the power to levy a railway cess for the construction of narrow gauge branch lines to open out their districts; what is the mileage concerned; are these feeder-branches guaranteed a minimum rate of interest by Government, and, if so, what is that rate; and, if the net profits of these lines exceed the amount of the Government guarantee, will the district boards receive the whole of those net profits?
Mr. ROBERTSTen district boards in Madras have levied a railway cess for the construction of railways. The total mileage contemplated is 491 miles, of which 155 have been constructed, and fifty more are under construction, or sanctioned. No guarantee of interest has been given by the Government in any case; but in respect of two lines aggregating seventy-four miles, rebate is given by the main line towards interest at 3½ per cent. on the cost of the 910 branch line. The district boards retain the whole of the net receipts, except in the case of one line of twenty-two miles, in which the net receipts above 3½ per cent. are to be shared equally between the district board and the working agency.