Power to control price and distribution of cardamom
Section 16 of the Spices Board Act, 1986 deals with power to control price and distribution of cardamom. The Central Government may, by order notified in the Official Gazette, fix in respect of cardamom of any description specified therein-- (a) the maximum price or the minimum price, or the maximum and minimum prices, which may be charged by a grower of cardamom or cardamom dealer, wholesale or retail The Act came into force on 26 Feb 1987.
(1) The Central Government may, by order notified in the Official Gazette, fix in respect of cardamom of any description specified therein--
(a) the maximum price or the minimum price, or the maximum and minimum prices, which may be charged by a grower of cardamom or cardamom dealer, wholesale or retail, whether for the Indian market or for export; and
(b) the maximum quantity which may in one transaction be sold to any person.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the powers conferred by sub-section (1), any order made thereunder may provide--
(a) for requiring persons engaged in the production, supply or distribution of, or trade and commerce in, cardamom to maintain and produce for inspection such books, accounts and records relating to their business and to furnish such information relating thereto as may be specified in the order; and
(b) for such other matters, including in particular the entering and search of premises, vehicles, vessels and aircraft, and the seizure by a person authorised to make such search, of cardamom in respect of which such person has reason to believe that a contravention of the order has been, is being or is about to be, committed.
Section 16, The Spices Board Act, 1986 (Act 10 of 1986).
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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The Kerala Cardamom Dealers Chamber v. Spices Board of India & Ors.
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
Where Spices Board Ext.P10 caps licensed dealers' pooling at 25% of total auction volume — making dealer pooling depend on grower pooling — and states dealers may sell procured cardamom through other dealers/retail/export channels, the Court finds prima facie conflict with Rule 10(2)(a) (purchase only from registered estate owners/growers or licensed auctioneers; one dealer cannot sell through another dealer). Remits the dealers' representation for fresh reasoned hearing uninfluenced by Ext.P10 findings, leaving Art. 19(1)(g)/vires challenges open in pending WP.
On this section: NEW teaching fill on empty Spices s.16: Board control of cardamom distribution/pooling limits and dealer sale channels under s.16 + Cardamom Rules r.10(2)(a).
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Made under this section, and citing it
1 instrument names this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.
Questions about Section 16
What have the courts held on Section 16 of the Spices Board Act?
The Kerala Cardamom Dealers Chamber v. Spices Board of India & Ors. (25 Nov 2024) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: NEW teaching fill on empty Spices s.16: Board control of cardamom distribution/pooling limits and dealer sale channels under s.16 + Cardamom Rules r.10(2)(a).
How do I find court cases under Section 16 of the Spices Board 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: Spices Board Act 1986 16, section 16 Spices Board Act 1986, section 16 of the Spices Board Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with The Kerala Cardamom Dealers Chamber v. Spices Board of India & Ors. (25 Nov 2024).
What should I read with Section 16 of the Spices Board Act, and has it changed?
One instrument names it without being made under it, most recently The Spice Board Rules, 1987 (1987).
When did Section 16 of the Spices Board Act come into force?
Section 16 of the Spices Board Act, cited as Spices Board Act 1986 16, came into force on 26 Feb 1987, having been enacted on 20 Mar 1986. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 3. Constitution and incorporation of the Board419 words
- 19. Power of the Central Government to supersede the Board366 words
- 38. Power to make rules356 words
- 6. Transfer of assets and liabilities of the Cardamom Board and the Spices Export Promotion Council to the Board337 words
- 7. Functions of the Board334 words
- 2. Definitions317 words
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 21 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.