INDIAN FAMINES - Institute for Social and Economic Change

MITIGATIVE MEASURES. 219
one case would nullify the utility of the other.
Irrigation would demand that a maximum of
water should be withdrawn, while communication
would require that the proper level be
maintained. But these duties do not preclude
irrigation canals being altogether unprovided
for transport arrangements-in fact, the Ganges
Callal is, to a certain extent, adapted to them.
Importation of grain can scarcely be called a
mitigative measure in the sense referred to in
this chapter. I may, however, mention, that in
almost all cases there are two arguments in favour
of its adoption, or in favour of preparations
to adopt it, by Government: (1.) such a measure
is sure to be carried out on an economical scale,
and hence the market-prices can be gauged;
and (2.) the knowledge that Government is prepared
to import, or is importing largely, has
the effect of bringing out stocks of grain which
otherwise would have remained in hoard.
Of minor preventive and alleviative measures,
the following may be cited: (1.) When there is
a staple article of commerce produced in an
affiicted district, all means of encouraging its
product should be made while scarcity exists.