INDIAN FAMINES - Institute for Social and Economic Change

RECENT FAMINES.
throughout these sketches, appears as the chief
sufferer, and perhaps it arises from the tendency
to a frequent recurrence of these disasters that
it is easily alarmed: but whether this be the
reason or not, it is worthy of notice that both in
this and in the previous famine which affected
the Province, very early warning was given by
the Government to its subordinates to be on the
alert j and the contrast in this respect is all the
more striking when compared with the action
taken in the case of the Orissa famine.
By the 14th July 1868, warnings were issued.
" Tuccavee ". and relief-works were then suggested,
as well as the remission of revenue, notwithstanding
the permanent settlement, and
the principle thereby involved. The Ganges
Canal was now a fait accompli,t and for the
first time it was to be pitted against its foe.
Hitherto its duty had been to encourage and
stimulate exertions, to develop cultivation,
and to multiply the products of the soil j
now it was to save the people. Experience in
canal administration gained during the preced-
• See note, page 50.
tIn 1861 the works were ouly partially complete.!.