Definitions

Section 2 of the Essential Commodities Act 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;] * * *

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,- 3[(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;] * * * * * (b) "food-crops" include crops of sugarcane;

(c) "notified order" means an order notified in the Official Gazette; 5[(cc) "order" includes a direction issued thereunder;] [(d) "State Government," in relation to a Union territory, means the administrator thereof;] 5[(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.] 7[2A. Essential commodities declaration etc .- (1) For the purposes of this Act, "essential commodity" means a commodity specified in the Schedule.

(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (4), the Central Government may, if it is satisfied that it is necessary so to do in the public interest and for reasons to be specified in the notification published in the Official Gazette, amend the Schedule so as to- (a) add a commodity to the said Schedule;

(b) remove any commodity from the said Schedule, in consultation with the State Governments. 1. Extended to Goa, Daman and Diu with modification by Regulation 12 of 1962, section 3 and Schedule, to Dadra and Nagar Haveli by Regulation 6 of 1963, section 3 and Schedule I and to Lakshadweep and Amindivi Islands by Regulation 8 of 1965, section 3 and Schedule, to the State of Sikkim vide S.O. 28(E), dated 7th January, 1976 (w.e.f. 7-1-1976). This Act has been amended in Maharashtra by Maharashtra Act 71 of 1976, in Orissa by Orissa Act, 8 of 1976, in Uttar Pradesh by Uttar Pradesh Acts 9 of 1974, 18 of 1975, 39 of 1975 and 16 of 1978.

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