Section2
The Essential Commodities Act, 1955

Definitions

In force From 01 Apr 1955 Act 10 of 1955 As on 16 Oct 2026

Act 10 of 1955 Ministry Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Enacted 01 Apr 1955 In force 01 Apr 1955 Instruments 10

Section 2 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 deals with definitions. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-- [(ia) "Collector" includes an Additional Collector and such other officer, not below the rank of Sub-Divisional Officer, as may be authorised by the Collector to perform the functions and exercise the powers of the Collector under this Act;] 2* * The Act came into force on 01 Apr 1955.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,--

1[(ia) "Collector" includes an Additional Collector and such other officer, not below the rank of Sub-Divisional Officer, as may be authorised by the Collector to perform the functions and exercise the powers of the Collector under this Act;]

2* * * * *

(b) "food-crops" include crops of sugarcane;

(c) "notified order" means an order notified in the Official Gazette;

3[(cc) "order" includes a direction issued thereunder;]

4[(d) "State Government," in relation to a Union territory, means the administrator thereof;]

3[(e) "sugar" means--

(i) any form of sugar containing more than ninety per cent, of sucrose, including sugar candy;

(ii) khandsari sugar or bura sugar or crushed sugar or any sugar in crystalline or powdered form; or

(iii) sugar in process in vacuum pan sugar factory or raw sugar produced therein.]

STATE AMENDMENT

Maharashtra

Amendment of section 2 of Act 10 of 1955.--In section 2 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (10 of 1955), in its application to the State of Maharashtra,--

(a) for clause (ia), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:--

"(ia) "Collector" in any Rationing Area means the Controller of Rationing designated for that area and includes the Deputy or Assistant Controller or Rationing; and elsewhere, the Collector of the District and includes Additional, Deputy or Assistant Collector, Sub-Divisional Officer and District Supply Officer within his respective jurisdiction;";

(b) clause (ai) shall be deleted.

[Vide Maharashtra Act 6 of 2003, s. 2].

STATE AMENDMENT

Uttar Pradesh.--

Amendment of section 2 of Act X of 1955.--In section 2 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, as amended in its application to Uttar Pradesh, hereinafter called the principal Act, before clause (a), the following clause shall be inserted namely:--

"(aa) ‘Collector’ includes such officer not below the rank of an Assistant Collector of the first class as may be authorized by the Collector to exercise the powers conferred on him by or under the provisions of this Act;"

[Vide Uttar Pradesh Act 18 of 1975, s. 3]

Amendment of section 2 of Act 10 of 1955.--In section 2 of the Essential Commodities act, 1955 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act). Clause (aa) as inserted by the Essential Commodities (Uttar Pradesh Amendment) Act, 1975, hereinafter referred to as the Uttar Pradesh Amendment, shall stand omitted with effect from September 2, 1976, the date of the commencement of the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 1976, hereinafter referred to as the Central (Amendment).

[Vide Uttar Pradesh Act XVI of 1978, s. 2]

Section 2, The Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (Act 10 of 1955).

Made under this section, and citing it

1 instrument states that it was made under this provision — the power to make it comes from here, so a change to any of them changes what this section requires in practice. Newest first.

Another 9 instruments name this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.

All subordinate legislation

Questions about Section 2

What does Section 2 of the Essential Commodities Act deal with?

Section 2 of the Essential Commodities Act is headed "Definitions". In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-- [(ia) "Collector" includes an Additional Collector and such other officer, not below the rank of Sub-Divisional Officer, as may be authorised by the Collector to perform the functions and exercise the powers of the Collector under this Act;] 2* *

How do I find court cases under Section 2 of the Essential Commodities Act?

In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Essential Commodities Act 2, section 2 Essential Commodities Act, section 2 of the Essential Commodities Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.

What should I read with Section 2 of the Essential Commodities Act, and has it changed?

The rules and notifications made under it are where it actually bites, and there is one: most recently Deptt of Food and PD, Sugar Price Control Order 2018 (2018).

When did Section 2 of the Essential Commodities Act come into force?

Section 2 of the Essential Commodities Act, cited as Essential Commodities Act 2, came into force on 01 Apr 1955, having been enacted on 01 Apr 1955. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.

Other sections of this Act

Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 16 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.