Section Text
1)] Where any essential commodity is seized in pursuance of an order made under section 3- in relation thereto,9[a report of such seizure shall, without unreasonable delay, be made to] the Collector of the district or the Presidency-town in which such essential commodity is seized and whether or not a prosecution is instituted for the contravention of such order, the Collector10[may, if he thinks it expedient so to do, direct the essential commodity so seized to be produced for inspection before him, and if he is satisfied] that there has been a contravention of the order, may order confiscation of -
(a) the essential commodity so seized;
(b) any package, covering or receptacle in which such essential commodity is found; and (c) any animal, vehicle, vessel or other conveyance used in carrying such essential commodity:
Provided that without prejudice to any action which may be taken under any other provision of this Act, no food grains or edible oilseeds seized in pursuance of an order made under section 3-in relation thereto from a producer shall, if the seized food grains or edible oilseeds have been produced by him, be confiscated under this section :11[Provided further that in the case of any animal, vehicle, vessel or other conveyance used for the carriage of goods or passengers for hire, the owner of such animal, vehicle, vessel or other conveyance shall be given an option to pay, in lieu of its confiscation, a fine not exceeding the market price at the date of seizure of the essential commodity sought to be carried by such animal, vehicle-, vessel or other conveyance.] 12[(2) Where the Collector, on receiving a report of seizure or on inspection of any essential commodity under sub-section (1), is of the opinion that the essential commodity is subject to speedy and natural decay or it is otherwise expedient in the public interest so to do, he may -
(i) order the same to be sold at the controlled price, if any, fixed for such essential commodity under this Act or under any other law for the time being in force ; or (ii) where no such price is fixed, order the same to be sold by public auction:12[Provided that in the case of any such essential commodity the retail sale price whereof has been fixed by the Central Government or a State Government under this Act or under any other law for the time being in force, the Collector may, for its equitable distribution and availability at fair prices, order the same to be sold through fair price shops at the price so fixed.]
(3) Where any essential commodity is sold, as aforesaid, the sale proceeds thereof, after deduction of the expenses of any such sale or auction or other incidental expenses relating thereto, shall -
(a) where no order of confiscation is ultimately passed by the Collector, (b) where an order passed on appeal under sub-section (1) of section 6C-so requires, or (c) where in a prosecution instituted for the contravention of the order in respect of which an order of confiscation has been made under this section, the person concerned is acquitted, be paid to the owner thereof or the person from whom it is seized.]