‘REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY, FOR THE YEAR 1919-20’ [‎309r] (165/192)

1919-1920.]
PUBLIC WORKS REVENUE—CUSTOMS. ^33
Es. 21,721 to Es. 17,538, the decrease being mainly due to a fall ofi in the
receipts from sales oi old materials and miscellaneous sources. The revenue
under the head “ Imperial Civil,” derived mainly from rents of buildings and
sales of buildings, rose from Es. 49,229 to Es. 80,049, the rise being mainly due
to increased receipts from the second source. The Provincial Civil revenue
consisting chiefly of rents of buildings, sales of buildings, sales of old materials
and fines, refunds and miscellaneous, rose from Es. 4,49,260 to Es. 8,26,285
the rise being mainly due to increased receipts from the second and’ fourth
sources.
5.—Customs.
Chapter V.
FINANCIAL.
For details see the Annual Report on the Sea-borne Trade and Customs Administration of the Bombay
Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. and the Report on the Maritime Trade of the Province of Sind for 1919 - 20 . J
1.—Sea Customs.
(1) Port of Bombay.
1. Daring the year a first step was taken in the direction of imperial General.
Preference by the imposition from the 11th September of an export duty of
15 per cent, ad valorem on raw hides and skins, with a rebate of two-thirds
of the duty in favour of hides and skins tanned in the British Empire. On
the 2nd of February 1920 the import duty on silver bullion and coin was
abolished on the recommendation of the Currency Commission, and on the
11th February the rates of import duty on firearms were modified, and the
differential rates previously charged to licensed dealers were abolished. The
transfer of public business to the New Custom House in Ballard Road was
completed at the end of the year under report, and the Town Bandar and
Custom House were closed for Customs business. The only part of the
Customs establishment left at Prince’s Dock Custom House is the country
Craft Section and the Divisional Preventive staff.
2. The gross receipts of the Bombay Custom House rose from Revenue.
Rs. 4,87,46,904 to Rs. 6,00,10,075. The total net receipts, after deduction
of refunds and drawbacks, amounted to Rs. 5,55,67,781 against Rs. 4,49,89,868
in the previous year. Net receipts on account of import duties advanced
from Rs. 433*53 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees to Rs. 530*83 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees . The increase was due mainly
to larger imports of liquors, petroleum, metals, fruits and vegetables, silk
and silk articles, motor cars and motor cycles, articles imported by post
and articles not otherwise specified. There were decreases under cotton
manufactures and sugar. Export duties on goods shipped to foreign countries
rose from Rs. 10*59 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees to Rs. 17*81 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees , the net receipts being
Rs. 16*69 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees .
3. The total expenditure increased from Rs. 12,28,230 to Rs. 13,46,774. Expenditure.
The ratio of expenditure to net collections was 2*4 per cent, against 2*7
per cent, in the previous year.
4. Refunds of import duties decreased from Rs. 10,04,142 to Rs. 9,73,110, Refunds and
while drawback refunds of seven-eighths of the import duty granted on dr;lwbacks
re-export of goods by sea to foreign ports increased from Rs. 26,46,316 to
Rs. 32,44,032
5. Excluding Merchandise Marks Act cases, 2,168 offences against Customs.offences,
the See Customs Act were adjudicated during the year. Of these, 1,389
represent penalties imposed on ships’ agents under section 167 (17) in respect
of shortages. Smuggling of gold was carried on throughout the year. In
ah 208 cases representing seizures of about £55,000 were made and the
otal of optional penalties and of fines imposed amounted to Rs. 4,56,868.
three cases of illicit import of cocaine were dealt with by the Preventive
staff, convictions being secured in two cases. An attempt to export feathers
was frustrated and a penalty of Rs. 2,000 was recovered. Sixty-two cases of
Juggling of opium were detected during the year, and 60 of these led to
convictions in the criminal courts. In one case a record seizure of 931 lbs.
^as made, the opium having been most cleverly concealed in a false cement
cei 1D 8 “ night-head ” of the vessel.