مجموعة ٢٨ /١٩ "سيستان وكاين. تقارير تجارية سنوية" [ظ‎‎١‎٢‎٦] (٣١٨/٢٥٦)

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result is a heavy loss to the owners. Convoys being often in charge of
irresponsible junior military officials, are often given insufficient time to effect
running repairs, replenish water, etc.
32. (b) Extortions and interference with trade and industry. —Petty
extortions by irresponsible junior officials, policemen, Road-Guards, etc., are
of common occurrence. They usually take the form of deliberate misinter
pretation of some regulation or law. As it is a difficult and tedious matter 0*
to obtain redress, the procedure more often than not involving expenditure
and costs considerably in excess of the damage already suffered, it is regret
table that the victims of such extortions seldom find it worth while to bring
their oppressor to justice.
33. (c) Effects of Conscription. —In South East Persia there does not
appear to have been any ill-effects from conscription. The conscripts are
usually of a very poor type, mainly from the towns and frequently unem
ployed or casual labourers. It is probable that a term of military service
will, in the long run, improve the national physique and be of ultimate benefit
to the nation.
V.— Agriculture.
34. {a) Area under cultivation. —No accurate figures are available, but as
far as Sistan is concerned a rough estimate is arrived at as follows :—The
Revenue demand is believed to have been—
1,906,306 Tabrezi Mans of wheat valued at . . . 1,525,040 Krans.
1,906,306 „ „ Barley „ ... 9,53,150 „
which should represent one-third of the total crop. The total produce would
therefore be 11,437,836 Tabrezi Mans from which may be deducted 40,000
maunds remitted as a result of representations by the public alleging over-
assessment. Balance 11,397,836 T. Mans which from calculations based on
the average yield represents an cultivated area of about 847,778 acres.
There is an area of about 60 acres under cotton annually. The Revenue
demand (cash) for melons, vegetables, etc., amounted to Krans 228,813. No
figures are available for the Birjand (Kain) area, which is however small
compared with Sistan, although crops are of better quality.
35. {b) Introduction of new crops and new methods. —Nil.
36. (c) Harm done by interference of authorities. —Considerable damage to
crops resulted from unscientific regulation of flood water frequently resulting
in considerable inundation of cultivated land.
37. (d) Irrigation. —The area under cultivation could be very greatly
increased by proper control of water. Climatic conditions were normal
during the Summer. During the winter rains were abnormally heavy and
water is abundant. Crop prospects for 1930-31 being particularly good.
38. (e) Extent to which land hypothecated. —No figures available.
VI.— Opium.
39. {a) Tart played by opium in economic life of the Province. —At least
75 per cent, of the population is addicted to opium. The productive power
of the inhabitants greatly suffers in consequence.
40. {b) Crop. —In Sistan the yield of crude opium was about 70 Mans
Sistan. The yield in Qain District is said to have been about four Kharwars
and 50 Mans Tabrezi.
41. (c) Working of the Monopoly service—In South East Persia, the
control is not very effective. A considerable amount of opium never reaches
the Excise Department Officials.
42. {d) Collection of the crude. —Crude opium is delivered to the Excise
Department and paid for at the rate of 4 krans a seer (40 seers=l man
Sistani). The crude is converted into opium by the Excise Department and
is stocked. It is sold for local consumption and traders and is available for
export.