The report of the Champaran Agrarian Enquiry Committee with the resolution of the Behar Government on it is published. With one exception the report is unanimous and the principal recommendations are: (1) Substitution of a purely voluntary system of growing indigo for Tinkathia system; (2) continuance of temporary base system in estates under the Court of Wards and other measures designed to meet the grievances arising out of the existing practice. In regard to the first recommendation the resolution states that Tinkathia system, which there is ample evidence to show is not necessary to ensure continuance of indigo industry, has outlived its day and that in spite of periodic revisions of terms of engagement entered into by tenants the system is essentially unpopular and must necessarily give rise to friction between the planter and tenant. The Lieutenant Governor in Council therefore accepts the Committee’s recommendation that the system should be entirely abolished and this should be entirely effected by legislation in which special provision should also be made for regulation of indigo as a system of free contracts, which should be voluntary and for short terms only. The Lieutenant Governor accepts the recommendation of reduction of some enhanced rents. Sareshbesi Tawan and other Abwabs and recognises that the recommendation represents a reasonable compromise between conflicting interests of tenants, lessees and superior landlords and that he will request the Court of Wards to give immediate and general effect to them. His Honour agrees that in some areas at least there is full justification for amending the law so as to enable the Collector on his own motion to enquire into and punish such exacts on the part of a landlord. The rest of the resolution deals with minor recommendations.
