The Spices Board Act, 1986
# THE SPICES BOARD ACT, 1986

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# ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

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CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY

SECTIONS

1. Short title, extent and commencement.
2. Definitions.

CHAPTER II

THE SPICES BOARD

3. Constitution and incorporation of the Board.
4. Secretary and other officers.
5. Advisory Committees.
6. Transfer of assets and liabilities of the Cardamom Board and the Spices Export Promotion

Council to the Board.

7. Functions of the Board.

CHAPTER III

REGISTRATION OF OWNERS OF CARDAMOM ESTATES

8. Registration of owners of cardamom estates.
9. Power of State Government to make rules.
10. Returns to be made by registered owners.

CHAPTER IV

CERTIFICATE FOR EXPORT OF SPICES

11. No person to export spices without certificate.
12. Grant of certificate.
13. Cancellation, suspension, etc., of certificate.
14. Appeal.
15. Power to permit export without certificate.

CHAPTER V

CONTROL BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

16. Power to control price and distribution of cardamom.
17. Power to prohibit or control import of cardamom.
18. Power of the Central Government to issue directions.
19. Power of the Central Government to supersede the Board.

CHAPTER VI

FINANCE, ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT

20. Grants and loans by the Central Government.
21. Board Fund.
22. Budget.
23. Annual report.
24. Accounts and audit.
25. Annual report and auditor’s report to be laid before Parliament.

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CHAPTER VII

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTIONS

26. Penalty for making false returns.
27. Penalties for obstructing an officer or member of the Board in the discharge of his duties and for

failure to produce books and records.

28. [Omitted.].
29. Penalties for contravention of section 11 or any order made under section 17.
30. Other penalties.
30A. Adjudication of penalties.
31. Offences by companies.
32. Provisions of Act 52 of 1962 to apply to export of spices and import of cardamom.
33. Previous sanction of the Central Government.
34. Delegation.
35. Members, officers and employees of the Board to be public servants.
36. Protection of action taken in good faith.
37. Power to enter.
38. Power to make rules.
39. Power to make regulations.
40. Rules and regulations to be laid before Parliament.
41. Power to remove difficulties.
42. Repeal and savings.

THE SCHEDULE.

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# THE SPICES BOARD ACT, 1986

 ACT NO. 10 OF 1986

[20th _March, 1986.]_

# An Act to provide for the constitution of a Board for the development of export of spices and for
 the control of cardamom industry including the control of cultivation of cardamom and matters connected therewith.

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Thirty-seventh Year of the Republic of India as follows:—

CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY

**1. Short title, extent and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the Spices Board Act, 1986.**

(2) It extends to the whole of India.

(3) It shall come into force on such date[1] as the Central Government may, by notification in the

Official Gazette, appoint.

**2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—**

(a) “Board” means the Spices Board constituted under sub-section (1) of section 3;

(b) “cardamom” means the fruit of cardamom plant and includes green cardamom, bleached

cardamom, bleachable white cardamom, sun-dried cardamom, cardamom seeds, powdered cardamom
and oil extracted from cardamom;

(c) “cardamom plant” means ELETTARIA CARDAMOMUM MATON, AMMOMUM

SUBULATUM ROXB and any other plant which the Board may, by notification in the Official
Gazette, declare to be a cardamom plant for the purposes of this Act;

(d) “certificate” means a certificate granted under section 12;

(e) “dealer” means a dealer in spices;

(f) “estate” means the area administered as one unit which contains land planted with cardamom

plants;

(g) “export” and “import” mean, respectively, taking out of or bringing into India by land, sea and

air;

(h) “manufacturer” means a manufacturer of spices;

(i) “member” means a member of the Board appointed under sub-section (3) of section 3;

(j) “owner”, in relation to any land planted with cardamom plants, includes—

(i) any agent of the owner; and

(ii) a mortgagee, lessee or other person in actual possession of the land;

(k) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

(l) “registered estate” means an estate in respect of which an owner is registered under

sub-section (1) of section 8 and includes any estate in respect of which an owner is required to be
registered under the provisions of that sub-section;

(m) “registered owner” means an owner of a registered estate which has been or is registered or is

required to be registered under sub-section (1) of section 8; and

1. 26th February, 1987, vide Notification No. S.O. 122(E), dated 26th February, 1987, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary,
Part II, sec. 3(ii).

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(n) “spices” means the spices specified in the Schedule:

Provided that the Central Government may, if satisfied that it is necessary or expedient in the

public interest so to do, by notification in the Official Gazette, add any other spice to the Schedule or
omit any spice therefrom.

CHAPTER II

THE SPICES BOARD

**3. Constitution and incorporation of the Board.—(1) The Central Government shall, by**

notification in the Official Gazette, constitute, for the purposes of this Act, a Board, to be called the
Spices Board.

(2) The Board shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid having perpetual succession and a

common seal with power, subject to the provisions of this Act, to contract and shall, by the said name, sue
and be sued.

(3) The Board shall consist of such number of members, not exceeding thirty-two, as may be

prescribed, and unless the rules made in this behalf otherwise provide, the Board shall consist of the
following members, namely:—

(a) a Chairman;

(b) three Members of Parliament, of whom two shall be elected by the House of the People and

one by the Council of States;

(c) three members to represent respectively the Ministries of the Central Government dealing

with—

(i) Commerce;

(ii) Agriculture; and

(iii) Finance;

(d) six members to represent the growers of spices;

(e) eleven members to represent the exporters of spices;

(f) three members to represent major spice producing States;

(g) five members, one each to represent—

(i) the Directorate of Cocoa, Arecanut and Spices Development, Calicut;

(ii) the Indian Institute of Packaging, Bombay;

(iii) the Central Food Technological and Research Institute, Mysore;

(iv) the Regional Research Laboratory, Trivandrum; and

(v) the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasargode.

(4) The office of member of the Board shall not disqualify its holder for being chosen as, or for being,

a member of either House of Parliament.

(5) The term of office of the members and other conditions of service of the members shall be such as

may be prescribed.

(6) The Chairman shall, in addition to presiding over the meetings of the Board, exercise and

discharge such powers and duties of the Board as may be delegated to him by the Board and such other
powers and duties as may be prescribed.

(7) The Board shall elect from among its members a Vice-Chairman who shall exercise such of the

powers and perform such of the functions of the Chairman as may be prescribed or as may be delegated to
him by the Chairman.

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(8) No act or proceeding of the Board shall be invalidated merely by reason of—

(a) any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of, the Board;

(b) any defect in the appointment of a person acting as a member of the Board;

(c) any irregularity in the procedure of the Board not affecting the merits of the case.

**4. Secretary and other officers.—(1) The Board may appoint the Secretary and such other officers**

and employees as it considers necessary for the efficient discharge of its functions under this Act.

(2) The terms and conditions of service of the Secretary and other officers and employees of the

Board shall be such as may be determined by regulations.

**5. Advisory Committees.—(1) Subject to any rules made in this behalf, the Board may, from time to**

time, constitute such committees as may be necessary for the efficient discharge of its functions.

(2) Every committee constituted under sub-section (1) shall consist of such number of persons as the

Board may deem fit.

**6. Transfer of assets and liabilities of the Cardamom Board and the Spices Export Promotion**

**Council to the Board.—(1) On and from the commencement of this Act,—**

(a) all properties and other assets vested in the Cardamom Board and the Spices Export

Promotion Council immediately before such commencement shall vest in the Board;

(b) all debts, obligations and liabilities incurred, all contracts entered into and all matters and

things engaged to be done by, with, or for the Cardamom Board or the Spices Export Promotion
Council immediately before such commencement for or in connection with the purposes of the
Cardamom Board or the Spices Export Promotion Council shall be deemed to have been incurred,
entered into and engaged to be done by, with, or for the Board;

(c) all sums of money due to the Cardamom Board or the Spices Export Promotion Council

immediately before such commencement shall be deemed to be due to the Board;

(d) all suits and other legal proceedings instituted or which could have been instituted by or

against the Cardamom Board or the Spices Export Promotion Council immediately before such
commencement may be continued or instituted by or against the Board; and

(e) every employee holding any office under the Cardamom Board or the Spices Export

Promotion Council immediately before such commencement shall on such commencement hold his
office or service under the Board with the same rights and privileges as to pension, gratuity and other
matters as would have been admissible to him if there had been no such vesting; and shall continue to
do so unless and until his employment under the Board is duly terminated or until his remuneration
and other conditions of service are duly altered by the Board.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (14 of 1947) or in any

other law for the time being in force, the absorption of any employee by the Board in its regular service
under this section shall not entitle such employee to any compensation under that Act or other law and no
such claim shall be entertained by any court, tribunal or other authority.

**7. Functions of the Board.—(1) The Board may—**

(i) develop, promote and regulate export of spices;

(ii) grant certificate for export of spices and register brokers therefor;

(iii) undertake programmes and projects for promotion of export of spices;

(iv) assist and encourage studies and research for improvement of processing, quality, techniques

of grading and packaging of spices;

(v) strive towards stabilisation of prices of spices for export;

(vi) evolve suitable quality standards and introduce certification of quality through “Quality

Marking” for spaces for export;

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(vii) control quality of spices for export;

(viii) give licences, subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed, to the

manufacturers of spices for export;

(ix) market any spice, if it considers necessary, in the interest of promotion of export;

(x) provide warehousing facilities abroad for spices;

(xi) collect statistics with regard to spices for compilation and publication;

(xii) import, with the previous approval of the Central Government, any spice for sale; and

(xiii) advise the Central Government on matters relating to import and export of spices.

(2) The Board may also—

(i) promote co-operative efforts among growers of cardamom;

(ii) ensure remunerative returns to growers of cardamom;

(iii) provide financial or other assistance for improved methods of cultivation and processing of

cardamom, for replanting cardamom and for extension of cardamom growing areas;

(iv) regulate the sale of cardamom and stabilisation of prices of cardamom;

(v) provide training in cardamom testing and fixing grade standards of cardamom;

(vi) increase the consumption of cardamom and carry on propaganda for that purpose;

(vii) register and licence brokers (including auctioneers) of cardamom and persons engaged in the

business of cardamom;

(viii) improve the marketing of cardamom;

(ix) collect statistics from growers, dealers and such other persons as may be prescribed on any

matter relating to the cardamom industry; publish statistics so collected or portions thereof or extracts
therefrom;

(x) secure better working conditions and the provision and improvement of amenities and

incentives for workers; and

(xi) undertake, assist or encourage scientific, technological and economic research.

CHAPTER III

REGISTRATION OF OWNERS OF CARDAMOM ESTATES

**8. Registration of owners of cardamom estates.—(1) Every owner of land planted with cardamom**

plants, whether such land is comprised in one estate or more than one estate, shall, before the expiration
of one month from the date on which he first became owner of such estate or estates, apply to the
registering officer appointed in this behalf by the State Government to be registered as an owner in
respect of each estate owned by him:

Provided that the State Government may, for sufficient reasons, extend the time-limit for registration

by such period as it thinks fit.

(2) Registration once made shall continue to be in force until it is cancelled by the registering officer.

**9. Power of State Government to make rules.—(1) The State Government may, by notification in**

the Official Gazette, make rules to carry into effect the provisions of section 8.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may prescribe the form of

the application for registration and for cancellation of registration, the fee payable on such applications,
the particulars to be included in such application, the procedure to be followed in granting and cancelling
registration, the registers to be kept by registering officers and the supply by registering officers of
information to the Board.

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**10. Returns to be made by registered owners.—(1) A registered owner shall furnish returns to the**

Board in such form, at such times and in such manner as may be prescribed.

(2) The Board may authorise an officer to visit any estate at any time to verify the accuracy of any

return made under this section or to ascertain the productive capacity of the estate.

CHAPTER IV

CERTIFICATE FOR EXPORT OF SPICES

**11. No person to export spices without certificate.—Save as otherwise provided in this Act, no**

person shall, after the commencement of this Act, commence or carry on the business of export of any
spice except under and in accordance with a certificate:

Provided that a person carrying on the business of export of spices immediately before the

commencement of this Act, may continue to do so for a period of three months from such
commencement; and if he has made an application for such certificate within the said period of three
months till the disposal of such application.

_Explanation.—The reference in this section to the commencement of this Act shall be construed in_

relation to any spice added to the Schedule by notification under the proviso to clause (n) of section 2 as
reference to the date with effect from which such spice is added to the Schedule.

**12. Grant of certificate.—(1) An application for grant of certificate shall be made to the Board in**

such form and shall contain such particulars as may be prescribed and shall be accompanied by a receipt
evidencing the payment of the prescribed fee.

(2) On receipt of such application, the Board shall—

(a) if the application is not in the prescribed form or does not contain any of the prescribed

particulars, return the application to the applicant; or

(b) if the application is in the prescribed form and contains the prescribed particulars, grant the

certificate subject to such terms and conditions as may be determined by regulations.

**13. Cancellation, suspension; etc. of certificate.—(1) The Board may cancel any certificate on any**

one or more of the following grounds, namely:—

(a) that the holder of the certificate has violated any of the terms and conditions of the certificate;

and

(b) that in the opinion of the Central Government it is necessary in the interests of general public

to cancel the certificate.

(2) Where the Board, for reasons to be recorded in writing, is satisfied that pending consideration of

the question of cancelling the certificate on any grounds mentioned in sub-section (1), it is necessary so to
do, the Board may, by order in writing, suspend the operation of the certificate for such period not
exceeding forty-five days as may be specified in the order and require the holder of the certificate to show
cause, within fifteen days from the date of receipt of such order, as to why the suspension of the
certificate should not be extended till the determination of the question as to whether the registration
should be cancelled.

(3) No order of cancellation of registration under this section shall be made unless the person

concerned has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in respect of the grounds for such
cancellation.

**14. Appeal.—(1) Any person aggrieved by an order made under section 13 may prefer an appeal to**

the Central Government within such period as may be prescribed.

(2) No appeal shall be admitted if it is preferred after the expiry of the period prescribed therefor:

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Provided that an appeal may be admitted after the expiry of the period prescribed therefor if the

appellant satisfies the Central Government that he had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within
the prescribed period.

(3) Every appeal made under this section shall be made in such form and shall be accompanied by a

copy of order appealed against and by such fees as may be prescribed.

(4) The procedure for disposing of an appeal shall be such as may be prescribed:

Provided that before disposing of an appeal, the appellant shall be given a reasonable opportunity of

being heard.

(5) The Central Government may confirm, modify or reverse the order appealed against.

**15. Power to permit export without certificate.—The Central Government may, if satisfied that it**

is necessary or expedient, so to do, in public interest, by notification in the Official Gazette and subject to
such conditions, if any, as may be specified therein, permit any body or other agency to commence or
carry on the business of export of spices without a certificate.

CHAPTER V

CONTROL BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

**16. Power to control price and distribution of cardamom.—(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.

**17. Power to prohibit or control import of cardamom.—The Central Government may, by order**

published in the Official Gazette, make provision for prohibiting, restricting or otherwise controlling the
import of cardamom, either generally or in specified classes of cases.

**18. Power of the Central Government to issue directions.—(1) Without prejudice to the foregoing**

provisions of this Act, the Board shall, in the discharge of its functions and duties under this Act, be
bound by such directions on questions of policy as the Central Government may give in writing to it from
time to time:

Provided that the Board shall, as far as practicable, be given an opportunity to express its views

before any direction is given under this sub-section.

(2) The decision of the Central Government whether a question is one of policy or not shall be final.

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**19. Power of the Central Government to supersede the Board.—(1) If at any time the Central**

Government is of opinion—

(a) that on account of grave emergency, the Board is unable to discharge the functions and duties

imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act; or

(b) that the Board has persistently made default in complying with any direction issued by the

Central Government under this Act or in the discharge of the functions and duties imposed on it by or
under the provisions of this Act and as a result of such default the financial position of the Board or
the administration of the Board has deteriorated; or

(c) that circumstances exist which render it necessary in the public interest so to do,

the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, supersede the Board for such period,
not exceeding six months, as may be specified in the notification.

(2) Upon the publication of a notification under sub-section (1) superseding the Board,—

(a) all the members shall, as from the date of supersession, vacate their offices as such;

(b) all the powers, functions and duties which may, by or under the provisions of this Act, be

exercised or discharged by or on behalf of the Board, shall until the Board is reconstituted under
sub-section (3), be exercised and discharged by such person or persons as the Central Government
may direct; and

(c) all property owned or controlled by the Board shall, until the Board is reconstituted under

sub-section (3), vest in the Central Government.

(3) On the expiration of the period of supersession specified in the notification issued under

sub-section (1), the Central Government may reconstitute the Board by a fresh appointment and in such
case any person or persons who vacated their offices under clause (a) of sub-section (2), shall not be
deemed disqualified for appointment:

Provided that the Central Government may, at any time, before the expiration of the period of

supersession, take action under this sub-section.

(4) The Central Government shall cause a notification issued under sub-section (1) and a full report of

any action taken under this section and the circumstances leading to such action to be laid before each
House of Parliament at the earliest.

CHAPTER VI

FINANCE, ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT

**20. Grants and loans by the Central Government.—The Central Government may, after due**

appropriation made by Parliament by law, in this behalf, make to the Board grants and loans of such sums
of money as that Government may consider necessary.

**21. Board Fund.—(1) There shall be constituted a fund to be called the Spices Board Fund and there**

shall be credited thereto—

(a) any grants and loans made to the Board by the Central Government under section 20;

(b) all fees levied and collected in respect of certificates granted under this Act; and

(c) all sums received by the Board from such other sources as may be decided upon by the

Central Government.

(2) The Fund shall be applied for meeting—

(a) salary, allowances and other remuneration of the members, officers and other employees of

the Board;

(b) expenses of the Board in the discharge of its functions under section 7; and

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(c) expenses on objects and for purposes authorised by this Act.

**22. Budget.—The Board shall prepare in such form and at such time each financial year, as may be**

prescribed, its budget for the next financial year, showing the estimated receipts and expenditure of the
Board and forward the same to the Central Government.

**23. Annual report.—The Board shall prepare, in such form and at such time each financial year, as**

may be prescribed, its annual report, giving a full account of its activities during the previous financial
year, and submit a copy thereof to the Central Government.

**24. Accounts and audit.—The accounts of the Board shall be maintained and audited in such manner**

as may, in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, be prescribed and the Board
shall furnish to the Central Government before such date, as may be prescribed, its audited copy of
accounts together with the auditors’ report thereon.

**25. Annual report and auditors’ report to be laid before Parliament.—The Central Government**

shall cause the annual report and auditor’s report to be laid, as soon as may be after they are received,
before each House of Parliament.

CHAPTER VII

MISCELLANEOUS

**26. Penalty for making false returns.—Any person who being required by or under this Act to**

furnish any return fails to furnish such return or furnishes a return containing any particular which is false
and which he knows to be false or does not believe to be true shall be [1][liable to penalty which may
extend to fifty thousand rupees and for subsequent failure, penalty which may extend to one lakh rupees].

**27. Penalties for obstructing an officer or member of the Board in the discharge of his duties**

**and for failure to produce books and records.—Any person who—**

(a) obstructs any member authorised by the Chairman in writing or any officer or other employee

of the Board authorised by it in this behalf or any person authorised in this behalf by the Central
Government or by the Board, in the exercise of any power conferred, or in the discharge of any duty
imposed, on him by or under this Act; or

(b) having control over or custody of any account book or other record, fails to produce such

book or record when required to do so by or under this Act,

shall be [2][liable to penalty which may extend to fifty thousand rupees and for subsequent contravention
penalty which may extend to one lakh rupees].

**28. [Penalty for contravention of order relating to control of price, etc.]—Omitted by the Jan**

_Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 (18 of 2023), s. 2 and Schedule (w.e.f. 9-8-2024)._

**29. Penalties for contravention of section 11 or any order made under section 17.—If any person**

contravenes the provisions of section 11 or any order made under section 17 he shall, without prejudice to
any confiscation or penalty to which he may be liable under the provisions of the Customs
Act, 1962 (52 of 1962), be [3][liable to penalty which may extend to fifty thousand rupees and for
subsequent contravention penalty which may extend to one lakh rupees].

**30. Other penalties.—Whoever contravenes or attempts to contravene or abets the contravention of**

the provisions of this Act or of any rules or regulations made thereunder other than the provisions,

1. Subs. by Act 18 of 2023, s. 2 and Schedule for certain words (w.e.f. 09-08-2024).
2. Subs. by s. 2 and Schedule, ibid., for certain words (w.e.f. 09-08-2024).
3. Subs. by s. 2 and Schedule, ibid., for certain words (w.e.f. 09-08-2024).

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punishment for the contravention whereof has been provided for in sections 26, 27, 28 and 29, shall be
1[liable to penalty which may extend to fifty thousand rupees and for subsequent contravention penalty
which may extend to one lakh rupees].

2[30A. Adjudication of penalties.—(1) For the purposes of adjudging the penalties under sections

26, 27, 29 and 30, the Secretary to the Board shall appoint an officer not below the rank of Director in the
Board or any other officer authorised by the Central Government, as the case may be, to be an
adjudicating officer for holding an inquiry and imposing penalty in the manner as may be prescribed, after
giving any person concerned a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

(2) Whoever is aggrieved by any order of the adjudicating officer may prefer an appeal to the

Secretary to the Board, within a period of sixty days from the date of receipt of such order in such form
and manner as may be prescribed.

(3) An appeal may be admitted after the expiry of the period of sixty days if the appellant satisfies the

Secretary to the Board that he had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within that period.

(4) No appeal shall be disposed of unless the appellant has been given a reasonable opportunity of

being heard.

(5) An appeal under sub-section (2) shall be disposed of within sixty days from the date of filing.

(6) The amount of penalty imposed under sub-section (1), if not paid, shall be recovered as an arrear

of land revenue.]

**31. Offences by companies.—(1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a**

company, every person who at the time the offence was committed was in charge of, and was responsible
to, the company for the conduct of the business of the company, as well as the company, shall be deemed
to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly:

Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to any

punishment provided in this Act, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or
that he had exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under this Act has been

committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or
connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other
officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed to be
guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

_Explanation.—For the purposes of this section,—_

(a) “company” means any body corporate and includes a firm or other association of individuals;

and

(b) “director”, in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm.

**32. Provisions of Act 52 of 1962 to apply to export of spices and import of cardamom.—(a) All**

spices to which section 11 of this Act applies, and

(b) the cardamom to which any order under section 17 of this Act applies,

1. Subs. by Act 18 of 2023, s. 2 and Schedule for certain words (w.e.f. 09-08-2024).
2. Ins. by s. 2 and Schedule, ibid. (w.e.f. 09-08-2024).

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shall be deemed to be goods of which the import or export has been prohibited or restricted under
section 11 of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962), and all the provisions of that Act shall have effect
accordingly.

**33. Previous sanction of the Central Government.—No prosecution for any offence punishable**

under this Act shall be instituted except with the previous sanction of the Central Government.

**34. Delegation.—The Board may, by general or special order in writing, delegate to the Chairman or**

any other member or to any officer of the Board, subject to such conditions and limitations, if any, as may
be specified in the order, such of its powers and functions under this Act (except the power under section
39) as it may deem necessary.

**35. Members, officers and employees of the Board to be public servants.—All members, officers**

and other employees of the Board shall be deemed, when acting or purporting to act in pursuance of any
of the provisions of this Act, to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal
Code (45 of 1860).

**36. Protection of action taken in good faith.—No prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie**

against the Government, or the Board or any committee appointed by it, or any member of the Board or
such committee, or any officer or employee of the Government or the Board or any other person
authorised by the Government or the Board, for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be
done under this Act or the rules or regulations made thereunder.

**37. Power to enter.—Subject to any rule made in this behalf, any person, generally or specially**

authorised by the Board in this behalf, may, whenever it is necessary so to do, for any of the purposes of
this Act, at all reasonable times, enter upon any land or premises and make any inspection or inquiry or
do such other act or thing as may be prescribed:

Provided that no such person shall enter any building or any enclosed courtyard or garden attached to

a dwelling-house (unless with the consent of the occupier thereof) without previously giving such
occupier at least twenty-four hours’ notice in writing of his intention to do so.

**38. Power to make rules.—(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,**

make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power such rules may provide for all or any

of the following matters, namely:—

(a) the number of members of the Board under sub-section (3) of section 3;

(b) the term of office and other conditions of service of the members of the Board under

sub-section (5) of section 3;

(c) the powers and duties of the Chairman under sub-section (6) of section 3;

(d) the powers and functions of the Vice-Chairman under sub-section (7) of section 3;

(e) the constitution of committees under section 5;

(f) the terms and conditions for giving licences to manufacturers of spices for export under

clause (viii) of sub-section (1) of section 7;

(g) the form and manner in which and the time at which the registered owner may furnish returns

to the Board under section 10;

(h) the form of the application and the fees under sub-section (1) of section 12;

(i) the period of limitation for appeal under sub-section (1) of section 14;

(j) the form of appeal and the fees payable under sub-section (3) of section 14;

(k) the procedure for disposal of appeal under sub-section (4) of section 14;

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(l) the form in which, and the time at which, the Board shall prepare its budget under section 22

and its annual report under section 23;

(m) the manner in which the accounts of the Board shall be maintained and audited and the date

before which the audited copy of the accounts may be furnished to the Central Government under
section 24;

1[(ma) the manner of holding inquiry and imposing penalty under sub-section (1) of section 30A;

(mb) the form and manner of preferring appeal under sub-section (2) of section 30A;]

(n) the conditions and the restrictions with respect to the exercise of the power to enter under

section 37;

(o) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed or in respect of which provision is to

be, or may be, made by rules.

**39. Power to make regulations.—(1) The Board may, with the previous approval of the Central**

Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, make regulations consistent with this Act and the
rules generally to carry out the purposes of this Act.

(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such regulations may

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—

(a) the terms and conditions of service of the Secretary and other officers and employees of the

Board under sub-section (2) of section 4; and

(b) the terms and conditions under which the certificate may be granted under sub-section (2) of

section 12.

**40. Rules and regulations to be laid before Parliament.—Every rule and every regulation made**

under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it
is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more
successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the
successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or regulation or
both Houses agree that the rule or regulation should not be made, the rule or regulation shall thereafter
have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such
modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under
that rule or regulation.

**41. Power to remove difficulties.—(1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of**

this Act, the Central Government may, by order, published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions
not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act as may appear to be necessary for removing the difficulty:

Provided that no order shall be made under this section after the expiry of two years from the

commencement of this Act.

(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each

House of Parliament.

**42. Repeal and savings.—(1) Sections 3 to 33 of the Cardamom Act, 1965 (42 of 1965) are hereby**

repealed.

(2) Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or any action taken under the provisions of the said

Act shall, in so far as such thing or action is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, be deemed to
have been done or taken under the provisions of this Act as if the said provisions were in force when such
thing was done or such action was taken and shall continue in force accordingly until superseded by
anything done or any action taken under this Act.

1. Ins. by Act 18 of 2023, s. 2 and Schedule (w.e.f. 09-08-2024).

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THE SCHEDULE

[See section 2 (n)]

1. Cardamom 1[27. Pepper long

2. Pepper 28. Star Anise

3. Chilly 29. Sweet flag

4. Ginger 30. Greater Galanga

5. Turmeric 31. Hore-raddish

6. Coriander 32. Caper

7. Cumin 33. Clove

8. Fennel 34. Asafoetida

9. Fenugreek 35. Cambodge

10. Celery 36. Hyssop

11. Aniseed 37. Juniper berry

12. Bishopsweed 38. Bay leaf

13. Caraway 39. Lovage

14. Dill 40. Marjoram

15. Cinnamon 41. Nutmeg

16. Cassia 42. Mace

17. Garlic 43. Basil

18. Curry leaf 44. Poppy Seed

19. Kokam 45. All-Spice

20. Mint 46. Rosemary

21. Mustard 47. Sage

22. Parsley 48. Savory

23. Pomegranate Seed 49. Thyme

24. Saffron 50. Oregano

25. Vanilla 51. Tarragon

26. Tejpat 52. Tamarind]

In any form including curry powders, spice oil, oleoresins and other mixtures where spice content is
pre-dominant.

1. S. No. 27 to 52 added Vide Notification S.O. No. 3130 dated 8-11-1990.

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