§ 33. Mr. MAXTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for India if the position in Bardoli Talaka, of the Surat district, in the Bombay presidency, has been brought to his notice where, as a result of an alleged unfair assessment of land tax, the whole of the peasants have withheld payment; and if he will take steps to remedy their grievance?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The action of the Government of Bombay in this matter has been approved by a vote of their Legislative Council, and my Noble Friend does not propose to intervene.
§ Mr. MAXTONIs it the case that the action of the Bombay Government has intensified the difficulties to such an extent that there is now a total cessation of agricultural work in that area?
§ Earl WINTERTONI have no information to that effect. The Government of Bombay consider that their action in the matter is amply justified, and, although there has been a good deal of agitation in connection with the matter, they do not propose to allow themselves to be deflected by agitation from enforcing the law.
§ Mr. MAXTONWill the Noble Lord tell me whether my assertion is untrue, that agricultural work among the peasants has ceased in this area?
§ Earl WINTERTONI have told the hon. Member that I have no information to that effect. I am willing to make inquiries with regard to the matter, but I should think it very unlikely that the hon. Member's information is accurate, and I would suggest, in view of the fact that the Bombay Council approved of the policy of the Government, that this House might well be satisfied that the matter is receiving full attention in India.
§ Mr. MAXTONI got the information from the "Times."