Section 10 in Tamil Nadu Agricultural Produce and Livestock Contract Farming and Services (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2019
10. Powers and functions of Authority.
(1)It shall be the duty of the Authority to ensure proper implementation of this Act and to make suggestions to the Government for promotion and better performance of contract farming. For this purpose the Authority shall,-(a)entertain and dispose of appeal under section 29;(b)take suo-motu notice of failure to perform as per agreement and refer such cases for taking decision to the Dispute Settlement Committee or the Authority itself may pass such orders, as it may deem fit;(c)carry out inspection of offices entrusted with the task of contract farming, service contract and such other contracts and also the office of the Dispute Settlement Committee;(d)recommend changes in procedures for contract farming which will make the contract farming more transparent, easier and successful;(e)categorise the produce and place in the Schedule under section 13 and also add or delete the produce from the Schedule; and(f)issue general instructions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act for the guidance of the Dispute Settlement Committee.(2)Where the Authority is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to inquire into a matter arising out of the provisions of this Act, it may, suo-motu, initiate an inquiry in respect thereof.(3)The Authority shall, while inquiring into any matter under this section, have the same powers as are vested in a civil court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, (Central Act V of 1908) in respect of the following matters, namely:-(a)summoning and enforcing the attendance of persons, compelling them to give oral or written evidence on oath and producing documents or things;(b)requiring the discovery and inspection of documents;(c)receiving evidence on affidavits;(d)requisitioning any public records or copies thereof from any court or office;(e)issuing summons for examination of witness or documents; and(f)any other matter which may be prescribed.(4)The Authority shall ensure that not less than twenty five percent of the total annual facilitation fee collected under section 21 is spent on promotion of contract farming like training, engaging specialists for formulation of grade standards, research and other like activities.(5)Every year, the Authority shall also prepare,-(a)a general report covering all the activities of the Authority in the previous year;(b)programmes of work;(c)the annual accounts of the previous year; and(d)the Budget for the coming year clearly indicating the probable revenue including grants from the Government, if any, and expenditure to constitute the fund under section 32.(6)The Authority shall forward the general report and the programmes to the Government and also publish it.(7)The Authority shall approve its financial expenditure for the contract farming in the State as well as for the day to day activities of the Authority and report the same to the Government.(8)The Authority may prepare and undertake extensive and periodical publicity programmes to publicise contract farming and upgrade skill, knowledge among farmers with focus on youth and women processors and such other stakeholders.(9)The Authority as a neutral facilitator shall foster a dialogue between contract farming producers and purchasers, by organising joint meetings and workshops, to discuss contractual terms, their duties, obligations and also doubts, apprehensions and misconceptions, if any, and suggest appropriate remedies.(10)The Authority may endeavour to popularise the contracted product under this Act in domestic and overseas markets as brand of contract farming produce.(11)The Authority may maintain suitably designed Management Information System (MIS) of contract farming operations in the State.(12)The Authority may, on its own or by engaging experts, formulate grade standards for produce to be contracted upon.(13)The Authority may also represent in the meetings or workshops of farmers or farmer producer organisations, organised by purchaser to facilitate them to understand the contracts under this Act, the relevant law and other things incidental thereto.
