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.