Appendix

Demands of the people of Nilgiri as put forth by the Nilgiri State Prajamandal (1938):

1. Resettlement of land revenue assessment, having regard to the rate of rent prevailing in the neighbouring Mogulbandi area and to the general economic depression.

2. To bring down the penalty for default in payment of land revenue from Rs. 25 to Rs. 6¹/₄.

3. Right of free transfer of land and the abolition of the system of obtaining permission for sale on payment of Rs. 8/- to Rs. 20/- per man (62¹/₂ decimals for which no receipt is granted).

4. Homestead land to be altogether free of rent.

5. Bethia Jagir land should be assessed at the prevailing rate of rent.

6. Full ownership over trees standing on one’s own land.

7. Restoration of previous rights over fuel and timber.

8. Abolition of the cess levied on the sale of cattle to outsiders.

9. Abolition of the cess levied on the sale of fruits grown on one’s own land such as tamarind.

10. Abolition of the cess levied on the Dom caste for purchasing bamboo from outside the state for their home industry.

11. Facility for killing wild animals damaging the crops.

12. Complete abolition of bethi (forced labour).

13. Abolition of the system of collection of impressed provisions such as goats, chickens, eggs, etc., either for the use of the palace or for any other use.

14. Abolition of the Pucha system, i.e. supply of fuel and straw at nominal price to the state.

15. Anabadi and public tanks should not be leased out to any individual.

16. Facility for irrigation should be provided by the state.

17. Sufficient pasture land should be provided to the villagers.

18. More attention to be paid to nation-building departments.

19. Right of free trade in paddy and other agricultural production to be given to the people.

20. Monopoly over khilipan should be abolished.

21. Abolition of the cart tax and restoration of the right to drive carts on metalled roads.

22. Abolition of the practice of magan on the occasion of marriage, death or any other ceremonies in the Raja family.

23. Abolition of excise tax over Handia prepared for home consumption.

24. There shall be no interference by the state in social matters in any forms.

25. Sufficient number of primary schools and two or three M.E. schools to be established in the state and also the present system of fines for nonattendance should be modified.

26. Sufficient medical relief in the villages.

27. Oppression of the police should immediately cease.

28. People should have some control over the budget.

29. There should be definite codification of laws and there should be an efficient judiciary to administer the law. The judicial function should be separated from the executive. Personal intervention of the ruler in the administration of justice should cease.

30. Fundamental rights of citizenship should at once be conferred upon the people, i.e. free speech, free association, etc.

31. Responsible government should be introduced in the state and representative institutions should be established for legislation, taxation and general control of administration.

Kailash Chandra Mahanty

President, Nilgiri State Prajamandal