Essential Commodities Act 1955:
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Essential Commodities Act,1955 was enacted to ensure the easy availability of essential commodities to consumers and to protect them from exploitation by unscrupulous traders.
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There is no specific definition of essential commodities in The EC Act.
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Section 2(A) of the act states that an “essential commodity” means a commodity specified in the “Schedule” of this Act.
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The Act gives powers to the central government to add or remove a commodity in the “Schedule”.
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The Centre, if it is satisfied that it is necessary to do so in public interest, can notify an item as essential, in consultation with state governments.
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By declaring a commodity as essential, the government can control the production, supply, and distribution of that commodity, and impose a stock limit.