Section 2 — Definitions.

2. Definitions.―In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,― 

3[(ia) “Collector” includes an Additional Collector and such other officer, not below the rank 

of Sub-Divisional Officer, as may be authorised by the Collector to perform the functions and 

exercise the powers of the Collector under this Act;] 

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 (b) “food-crops” include crops of sugarcane; 

 (c) “notified order” means an order notified in the Official Gazette;  

5[(cc) “order” includes a direction issued thereunder;] 

6[(d) “State Government,” in relation to a Union territory, means the administrator thereof;] 

5[(e) “sugar” means― 

(i) any form of sugar containing more than ninety per cent, of sucrose, including sugar 

candy; 

(ii) khandsari sugar or bura sugar or crushed sugar or any sugar in crystalline or powdered 

form; or 

(iii) sugar in process in vacuum pan sugar factory or raw sugar produced therein.] 

STATE AMENDMENT 

Maharashtra 

Amendment of section 2 of Act 10 of 1955.--In section 2 of the Essential Commodities Act, 

1955 (10 of 1955), in its application to the State of Maharashtra,-- 

(a) for clause (ia), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:-- 

"(ia) "Collector" in any Rationing Area means the Controller of Rationing designated for 

that area and includes the Deputy or Assistant Controller or Rationing; and elsewhere, the 

Collector of the District and includes Additional, Deputy or Assistant Collector, Sub-

Divisional Officer and District Supply Officer within his respective jurisdiction;"; 

(b) clause (ai) shall be deleted. 

[Vide Maharashtra Act 6 of 2003, s. 2] 

                                                      
1. Extended to Goa, Daman and Diu with modification by Regulation 12 of 1962, section 3 and Schedule, to Dadra and 

Nagar Haveli by Regulation 6 of 1963, section 3 and Schedule I and to Lakshadweep and Amindivi Islands by 

Regulation 8 of 1965, section 3 and Schedule, to the State of Sikkim vide S.O. 28(E), dated 7th January, 1976  

(w.e.f. 7-1-1976). 

This Act has been amended in Maharashtra by Maharashtra Act 71 of 1976, in Orissa by Orissa Act, 8 of 1976, in  

Uttar Pradesh by Uttar Pradesh Acts 9 of 1974, 18 of 1975, 39 of 1975 and 16 of 1978.   

2. The words “except the State of Jammu and Kashmir” omitted by Act 25 of 1968, s. 2 and the Schedule 

 (w.e.f. 15-8-1968).   

3.  Ins. by Act 92 of 1976, s. 2 (w.e.f. 2-9-1976).   

4.  Clause (c) omitted by Act 54 of 2006, s. 2 (w.e.f. 12-2-2007). 

5.  Ins. by Act 36 of 1967, s. 2 (w.e.f. 30-12-1967). 

6. Subs. by the Adaptation of Laws (No. 3) Order, 1956, for clause (d). 



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Uttar Pradesh 

Amendment of section 2 of Act X of 1955.—In section 2 of the Essential Commodities Act, 

1955, as amended in its application to Uttar Pradesh, hereinafter called the principal Act, before 

clause (a), the following clause shall be inserted namely:-- 

“(aa) ‘Collector’ includes such officer not below the rank of an Assistant Collector of the first 

class as may be authorized by the Collector to exercise the powers conferred on him by or under 

the provisions of this Act;” 

[Vide Uttar Pradesh Act 18 of 1975, s. 3] 

Amendment of section 2 of Act 10 of 1955.—In section 2 of the Essential Commodities act, 

1955 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act). Clause (aa) as inserted by the Essential 

Commodities (Uttar Pradesh Amendment) Act, 1975, hereinafter referred to as the Uttar Pradesh 

Amendment, shall stand omitted with effect from September 2, 1976, the date of the commencement 

of the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 1976, hereinafter referred to as  the Central 

(Amendment). 

[Vide Uttar Pradesh Act XVI of 1978, s. 2]