The Burmese government bans local monopolies on…

The Burmese government bans local monopolies on the retail sale of opium, which is auctioned out to the highest bidder in lower Burma in 1902 and in upper Burma in 1904.

In 1909, a new system is introduced in Burma whereby licenses are allotted to select vendors at a fixed fee.

The profit is determined by the difference between the wholesale rate at which the opium is issued from the treasury and the retail price at which the vendor is required to sell to the customers.

A resident excise officer supervises the annual sale and disposal of the surplus opium.
(Source: Central Bureau of Narcotics, Gwalior)