Proceedings of the Council of the Governor of Bombay Assembled for the Purpose of Making Laws and Regulations Volume 37-40 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 edition. Excerpt: ... at present rates works out to 7 annas a week. If accurate statistics on the point are required I could obtain them, after a little delay, from my own camps or they could be obtained more readily from the officers of the Public Works Department. My opinion, derived from enquiries specially directed to the object, is that 7i annas per week, the general II Class wage is just sufficient to oondS'n? Wage support life in health and without obvious deterioration for perhaps two or three months, when the diet is jowdri or other staple grain. I doubt whether a man or woman could do full work on the jowdri only which can be bought for 74 annas weekly at Gram eaters. present rates, for, say, six months without losing weight. I am clear that it leaves no margin for luxuries, or even for purchase of clothes. I would suggest that the carbon and nitrogen equivalents of this grain be worked out by a competent expert. I suspect that the thrifty Kunbis, when earning minimum wage are able to supplement it by drawing on their savings, pawning jewels, borrowing, &c. While the Hindu vegetarian castes may not get sufficient sustenance out of the minimum wage, I am of opinion that the meat eating Meat-eaters. castes are able to maintain themselves in health by the use of meat at present prices. I have seen good meat selling in camp bazars at half an anna a seer. At this rate Mahars, Mussalmans, and Bhils can live and keep well on even the present penal minimum. Famine which raises the price of grain brings down the price of meat. In this connection it is of the highest importance to facilitate and even encourage the sale of beef in camps. Brahman officers, on religious Sale of meat in camps. grounds, are very apt to try to prevent the sale of even good...