Section 2A — Essential commodities declaration, etc.

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[2A. Essential commodities declaration, etc.―(1) For the purposes of this Act, “essential 

commodity” means a commodity specified in the Schedule. 

(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (4), the Central Government may, if it is satisfied that 

it is necessary so to do in the public interest and for reasons to be specified in the notification 

published in the Official Gazette, amend the Schedule so as to― 

(a) add a commodity to the said Schedule; 

(b) remove any commodity from the said Schedule, 

in consultation with the State Governments. 

                                                      
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). 

7. Ins. by Act 54 of 2006, s. 3 (w.e.f. 12-2-2007).  



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(3) Any notification issued under sub-section (2) may also direct that an entry shall be made 

against such commodity in the said Schedule declaring that such commodity shall be deemed to be an 

essential commodity for such period not exceeding six months to be specified in the notification: 

Provided that the Central Government may, in the public interest and for reasons to be specified, 

by notification in the Official Gazette, extend such period beyond the said six months. 

(4) The Central Government may exercise its powers under sub-section (2) in respect of the 

commodity to which Parliament has power to make laws by virtue of Entry 33 List III in the Seventh 

Schedule to the Constitution. 

(5) Every notification issued under sub-section (2) shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is 

issued, before both Houses of Parliament.]