Section 22 in Andhra Pradesh Cotton Seeds (Regulation of Supply, Distribution, Sale and Fixation of Sale Price) Act, 2007
22. Repeal of Ordinance No. 4 of 2007.
- The Andhra Pradesh Cotton Seeds (Regulation of Supply, Distribution, Sale and Fixation of Sale Price) Ordinance, 2007 is hereby repealed.Explanatory StatementThe provisions of the Seeds Act, 1966 (Central Act 54 of 66) in its application to the State of Andhra Pradesh regulate the quality of seed in respect of notified varieties. For the past few years, in view of substantial change of pattern of agriculture particularly in usage of seed, the said provisions are found -to be inadequate for enforcement in respect of quality of cotton seed and regulation of trade of non-notified cotton varieties, research hybrid varieties etc., as a result the entire economy of farmers is affected.By the recent amendment of Essential Commodities Act, 1955, cotton seed is deleted from the Schedule of the Act. The Environmental Protection Act, 1986, the Rules, 1986 and the Rules for Manufacture, Use/Import/Export and Storage of Hazardous Micro Organisms/Genetically Engineered Organism or Cells, 1989 deals with only bio-safety aspects of transgenic cotton seed. The traders who are dealing in cottonseed including transgenic cottons seed have been resorting to dubious methods and exploitation of poor farmers, particularly in respect of scarce type of cotton seed, causing unjustified burden towards seed cost which is essential and vital input in the process of agriculture, which lead the several farmers into debt trap, and some times leading to suicides also. The multinational companies are taking undue advantage of their monopoly in respect of scarce type of cotton seed.Article 39(b) of the Constitution of India enjoins the State to make suitable statutory prescriptions, so as to make available the commodities essential to the citizens at fair price. Therefore, in the interest of farming fraternity and to have free flow of supply, equi-distribution and price of all kinds of cotton seeds including transgenic cotton seeds and to protect the farmers economy, it is expedient and necessary that there is every need to bring a Cotton Seed Regulation law in consonance with National Seed Policy, 2002.Salient features of Act. - To constitute and appoint a controller at the State level.To notify the seed testing laboratories;To curtail the supply of spurious or inferior quality of seed.To evolve an effective regulatory system which will enable effective quality assurance, supply, distribution and at fair price.To provide punishments in the event of violations of the provisions of the Act.The provide adequate mechanism to pay compensation to the farmers in the event of supply of inferior quality of cotton seed.To bring regulatory mechanism for regulation of trade of transgenic and genetically modified varieties by way of compulsory DNA Finger printing tests or genetic purity test. Mandatory registration of all types of cotton seed produced in the State or imported to the State.
