The Cardamom Act, 1965
📘 The Cardamom Act, 1965
🔷 Overview
The Cardamom Act, 1965 is a special legislation enacted by the Parliament of India to regulate the cultivation, sale, and export of cardamom in India. Cardamom is an important spice crop grown mainly in the southern states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. The Act aims to control the quality, distribution, and price stabilization of cardamom to protect growers, traders, and consumers.
🔹 Purpose and Objectives
To regulate the cultivation and marketing of cardamom.
To prevent adulteration and ensure quality of cardamom.
To establish licensing mechanisms for dealers and traders.
To control the sale and purchase to stabilize prices and protect farmers.
To set up authorities or boards for effective administration of the cardamom trade.
🔸 Key Provisions of the Act
1. Definitions (Section 2)
Cardamom: Includes all varieties of the cardamom spice cultivated in India.
Dealer: A person engaged in buying, selling, or exporting cardamom.
License: Permission granted by authorities to deal in cardamom.
2. Licensing of Dealers (Sections 3–7)
No person shall carry on business in cardamom unless licensed.
Licensing authorities are empowered to grant, renew, suspend or cancel licenses.
Licensing helps regulate the trade and prevents illegal dealings.
3. Regulation of Sale and Purchase (Sections 8–10)
Dealers must maintain accounts and records of transactions.
The government may fix maximum and minimum prices for cardamom.
Provisions for sale through auctions or regulated markets to ensure fair pricing.
4. Quality Control (Sections 11–13)
Government empowered to set standards for cardamom quality.
Dealers must comply with quality norms.
Inspectors appointed to examine stock and prevent adulteration.
5. Penalties (Sections 14–17)
Penalties imposed for:
Trading without license.
Non-compliance with quality standards.
False entries in records.
Adulteration or misbranding.
Penalties include fines, imprisonment, or both.
6. Authority to Make Rules (Section 18)
The government can make rules for:
Licensing procedures.
Quality standards.
Regulation of markets.
Appointment of inspectors and other officials.
🔹 Administration
The Act envisages the establishment of a Cardamom Board or Authority (in some states), or delegation to existing agricultural or commodity boards.
These bodies oversee the implementation, enforcement, and development of the cardamom industry.
📚 Important Case Law
1. K.K. Joseph vs. State of Kerala
Citation: AIR 1970 Ker 45
Issue: Legality of suspension of license under the Cardamom Act.
Held: The Kerala High Court held that the licensing authority must follow principles of natural justice before suspending or canceling a dealer’s license.
Significance: Emphasized procedural fairness in enforcing licensing provisions.
2. State of Kerala vs. K.M. Antony
Citation: 1973 (1) KLJ 302
Issue: Penalty for trading without license.
Held: Court held that strict compliance with licensing provisions is mandatory, and trading without a license attracts penalties.
Significance: Reinforced the Act’s regulatory framework.
3. Cardamom Growers Association vs. State of Tamil Nadu
Citation: 1982 (2) MLJ 98
Issue: Fixation of prices and control over marketing.
Held: The Court upheld the government’s power to fix prices and regulate the cardamom market to protect growers’ interests.
Significance: Validated government intervention in agricultural marketing under the Act.
📝 Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Enacted | 1965 |
| Purpose | Regulation of cardamom cultivation, sale, and quality control |
| Key Features | Licensing, price control, quality inspection, penalties |
| Applicability | Primarily Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka |
| Penalties | Fines, imprisonment for violations |
| Judicial Interpretation | Emphasizes licensing compliance, procedural fairness, and price regulation |
✅ Conclusion
The Cardamom Act, 1965 plays a crucial role in regulating the production and trade of cardamom in India, protecting the interests of farmers and consumers alike. Through licensing, quality control, and price regulation, the Act ensures that the cardamom trade operates smoothly, ethically, and profitably.
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