‘REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY FOR THE YEAR 1882-83.’ [‎71v] (151/498)

BOMBAY ADMINISTRATION REPORT.
[1882-83-
Chap. I.
POLITICAL.
88
Tributary
States,
Pdlanpur.
E&dhanpur.
Other States.
Attachments.
Criminal,
Prisons.
Ciril Justice,
Weather.
Public Works,
Vital.
Instruction.
The receipts amounted to Es. 4,45,600 and the expenditure to Es. 4,50,400, which includes
Es. 42,600 spent on improvements and education. The Chief has not accepted the compen
sation for opium to be paid to him, and has submitted a memorial praying that the prohibi
tion regarding the cultivation of the poppy may be rescinded.
The revenue survey is progressing slowly, and 7 villages were surveyed, and one has been
classified. The arrears of civil and criminal cases are considerable, as no real effort has been
made to fill the vacancy of the office of Judge under theDarbar. For education a large and
spacious building has been finished and opened with great ceremony; it will contain accommo
dation for an English school, a Grujarati school, a Persian school, and a public library. Street
lamps have been introduced into the town of Palanpur, some of the roads have been repaired
and arrangements are in progress to water them in the hot season.
The Nawab An honorific title; an official acting as a provincial deputy ruler in South Asia; or a significant Muslim landowner in nineteenth century India. takes a great interest in his schools, where the teaching appears to be
superior to that in other schools in the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. . Es. 17,800 were spent on improvements, chiefly
in municipal charges and education.
The Darbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). has been energetic in the disposal of judicial business and in improvements
in the town of Yav, such as widening streets and in constructing a new jail and cattle-pound.
After long litigation the jurisdiction over 5 villages, which had hitherto been exercised by the
Tharad Thanadar, was transferred to the Palanpur Darbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). . The Thanddar at Kankrej is
overworked, and to relieve him the shareholders in Thurra have agreed to appoint a Kamdar
with an establishment for their own villages, 18 in number. The proposal has been sanctioned;
but, as there are disputes as to their exclusive right to some of the villages, it will not be
carried out until the dispute is settled. A school is to be opened at Urn.
6 estates were released from attachment in settlement of the disputes on payment of
the debts for which they were attached, and 3 other estates were brought under attachment on
account of disputes and debt. The affairs of the estate of Yarahi were inquired into, and
debts to the extent of Es. 46,300 were admitted, while claims to the extent of Es. 67,705
were rejected.
The number of offences reported to the police was 1,506, and 2,431 persons were arrested,
2,432 persons were tried, 1,093 convicted, and 1,339 acquitted or discharged. The savdra
sometimes leave their posts without leave but, on the whole, the conduct of the men has been
o'ood, and they have done their duty with vigilance and care. 1,073 cases were tried. The offen
ces of theft, causing hurt, and offences relating to marriage show a considerable increase; but
offences of grievous hurt, rape and robbery decreased. The Sessions Judge decided 53 appeals
and confirmed 27 decisions, reversing 24.
481 prisoners were admitted into the Superintendency Jail, which was maintained at a cost
of Es. 2,895. The diet for adult male prisoners was raised from 1 lb. 5 ozs. of bajri flour to
1 lb. 8 ozs., and at the same time their daily ration of fresh vegetable was reduced from 6 to
4 ozs. In the Darbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). jails 927 prisoners were admitted, and the dieting charges amounted to
Es. 5,954.
The Political Officers decided 1,311 civil suits and 61 appeals, besides 215 political suits
and 10 appeals, the whole amount included in litigation being valued at Es. lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees . 65
boundary disputes were settled. 696 civil suits and 179 political cases remained in arrears.
The Darbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). Courts tried 2,245 cases and convicted 1,.842 persons, acquitting 2,064. Com
pared with the previous year there is a general increase of crime. They decided 2,101 civil
suits, involving Es. 1,08,200, and 105 appeals, besides 306 political cases.
The deficiency of rain caused a scarcity of forage, and cattle had to be driven to distant
parts of the country. This, combined with earthquakes, cholera and cattle-disease, made the
lot of the poorer classes ,a hard one during the year.
In all, Es. 18,900 were spent on public works, of which Es.11,900 were spent in Palanpur.
The individual items are small, a large portion of the expenditure being on repairs, wells and
dharmshalas. The school-houses at Palanpur and Deesa, temples at Assera, Deesa and
Bhabher, and the jail at Yay are the most noticeable.
The receipts of the Superintendency and other funds amounted .to Es. 1,36,400 and the
charges to Es. 1,53,000, the excess being met from the opening balances which have been
reduced to Es. 48,700.
The 7 vaccinators vaccinated 16,240 persons at a cost of Es. 17,700 : the work has not
been considered satisfactory, and changes have been made to ensure better work. 224 persons
are reported to have died of small-pox. 11,677 persons were treated at the 3 dispensaries. A
great deal of cholera was prevalent, especially in Diodar, where 167 died.
The average daily attendance at the 29 schools was 1,354 pupils, and the amount spent on
education was Es. 9,224. The states have decided to defray all educational expenses, receiving
in return all school fees, and have agreed that the expenditure shall be regulated by proposals of
the Education Department, to be submitted annually to a meeting of the representatives of the
states. The present fund of Es. 3,000 is to be invested and kept apart until Es. 10,000 win
be collected, when steps will be taken to establish a talukdari school at Palanpur for the
education of young Chiefs.