1[(4) Unless otherwise provided in the licence, each licence issued under the Act shall expire on the 31st day of March following two successive years ending on the 31st day of March.
Explanation :-
If a licence is issued on the 1st day of April, 1988. or any other day before the 31st day of March, 1988, if shall expire on the 31st day of March, 1991].

2[(5) ........................... Omitted].
(6) The Secretary of the committee, or such other official as may be appointed by the committee to receive such applications, shall, on receipt of the application, ensure that the necessary licence fee has been paid and shall, after verifying the correctness of the facts stated therein, forward the same to the 3[Secretary] of the Board, within three days of its receipt in the office of the committee.
(7) On receipt of the application, the 4[Secretary of the Board] may grant a licence to the applicant in Form B. The licence shall be subject to the conditions mentioned therein.
(8) A record of licences issued under this rule shall be maintained by the Board as well as by the committee in Form C.
5[17-A. A Special provision with regard to licences upto 31st March, 1976]
(1) Every person holding a licence upto 31st March, 1976, in Form ‘B’ on the date of commencement of the Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets (General) (First Amendments) Rules, 1975, and carrying on the business of purchase or sale of any agricultural produce notified under section 6 shall, within a period of fifteen days of such commencement, apply to the authority specified in section 9 for an amendment in licence for the purpose of specifying such business therein and such amendment shall be made by the aforesaid authority without payment of any fee :
    Provided that amendment in the licence may be allowed after the expiry of the aforesaid period if the application is made within a period of thirty days of such commencement and the applicant pays such penalty, not exceeding sixty rupees, as the aforesaid authority may specify in that behalf.
(2) Every amendment made in the licence under sub-rule (1) shall have effect from the date of commencement of the Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets (General) (First Amendment) Rules, 1975].

penality in whole or in part if it is satisfied that the delay was for the reasons beyond the control of the applicant].
      1[Provided further that no licence shall be renewed for a part of the year].
(4) Every renewal of a licence granted under this rule shall be deemed to take effect from the date following that on which the licence expired.[See Amendment]
(5) Except as provided in sub-rule (3), every application for renewal of a licence made after the date of expiry thereof shall be treated as an application for the grant of a fresh licence.
(6) If a licence granted under section 10 or 13 of the Act, or renewed under Sub-rule (1) above is lost, a duplicate may be issued by the authority which issued the original, on payment by the licence of a fee of 2[ten rupees].
(7) The fee payable for the renewal of a licence under section 10 or section 13 for its duplicate shall be paid to the committee concerned.
22. Prohibition against grant of certain licences
Sec10.13  (1)Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall at the same time hold a dealer’s licence under section
&43(2)     10 as well as a licence under section 13 or hold more than one licence under section 13 to act as a
(viii)&(ix)  functionary in more than one capacity:
              Provided that nothing in this shall apply to persons dealing in vegetable and fruits. (2) Nothing in sub-rule (1) shall be deemed to prohibit person licenced as weighman, surveyor or measurer to act in all the three aforesaid capacities.
23. Employing a broker
Sec.43(2)       (1) No person shall be bound to employ a broker in any transaction, or be required to pay for a
(xii) & (xiv)     broker employed by any other party to the transaction, or to pay for broker when none has been
                    employed.
(2) Where any person enters into any transaction for the purchase or sale of any agricultural produce through a commission agent, and the commission agent, without a written authority from his principal, employs a broker in connection, with such transaction, the broker’s commission shall be payable by, and may be paid out of the remuneration due to, such commission agent.
(3) The same person shall not act as a broker both for the buyer and the seller of an agricultural produce in the same transaction.
24. Sale of agricultural produce
Sec. 43(2)   (1) All agricultural produce brought into the market for sale shall be sold by open auction in the
(v)               principal or sub market yard.

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[See Amendment]
1. Substituted vide Notification No. 11 (1)/M-III-83/9379 dated 4.5.1988.
2. Substituted vide ibid.

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1[Sub-market yard :
        Provided that with the permission of the 2[Chairman of the Board] or any officer uthorized by him in this behalf, the agricultural produce may also be brought or sold through bi-lateral transation within the notified market area of a committee at a place of business of a licensee outside the principal or sub maket yard on the terms and conditions as may be specified by the board. The buyer shall maintain a register in form ‘R’ and furnish information in form R-I to the committee alongwith return in Form ‘M’].
(2) Nothing in sub-rule (1) shall apply to a retail sale as may be specified in the bye-laws of the committee.
(3) A committee may, and on being directed by the 3[Chairman of the Board or an officer uthorized by him] shall fix timings for the starting and closing of the auction in respect of any agricultural produce, other than fruits and vegetables.
(4) The price of agricultural produce shall not be settled by secret signs or secret bid and no deduction shall be made from the agreed price of the consignement.
(5) The auction shall not be conducted by any person other than the person engaged by the committee:
       Provided that under special circumstances the 4[Chairman of the Board] or an officer uthorized by him may allow a committee to make or permit any alternative arrangement :
       Provided further that nothing in this sub-rule shall apply to the auction of vegetables and fruits.
(6) The highest bid offered by a buyer at an auction and at which the seller of the produce gives his consent to sell his produce, shall be sale price of the produce.
(7) The buyer shall be considered to have thoroughly inspected the produce for which he has made a bid and he shall have no right to retract it.
(8) As soon as the auction for a lot is over the auctioneer shall fill in the particulars in a book to be maintained in Form H and shall secure the of both the buyer and the seller or their respective representatives, whoever may be present at the spot.
5[(8-A) A register in form HH shall be maintained by the committee wherein the agricultural produce which remained unsold during the course of auction

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1. Added vide Notification No. G.S.R. 30/P.A. 23/61/S.43 Amd. (52)/99 dated 30.3.1999.
2 to 4. Substituted vide Notification No. 11/13/93-M 3/5762 dated 27.8.2003
5. Substituted vide Notification No. 11(13) M-III-83/9379 dated 4.5.1988

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shall be entered and it shall be obligatory for every dealer or Kacha Arhita or commission agent, as the case may be, to report about the unsold produce to the committee as soon as his agricultural produce is sold].
(9) The buyer shall be responsible to get the agricultural produce weighed immediately after the auction or on the same day the produce is purchased by him 1[and the seller or the buyer shall be liable for any damage to, or loss of, or deterioration in, the produce after the auction according to the 2[local usage or custom or as per provision of rule 13].
(10) A person engaged by a producer to sell agricultural produce on his behalf shall not act as a buyer either for himself or on behalf of another person in respect of such produce 3[without the prior consent of the producer]:
       Provided that a Co-operative Society shall be exempt from the operation of this rule.
[See Amendment](11) The Kacha Arhtiya shall make payment to the seller immediately after the weighment is over.
(12) Every Kacha Arhtiya shall, on delivery of agricultural produce to a buyer, execute a memorandum in Form I and deliver the same to the buyer on the same day or the following day, mentioning sale proceeds plus market charges admissible under rules and bye-laws. The counterfoil shall be retained by the Kacha Arhtiya:
4[Provided that nothing in this sub rule shall apply where agricultural produce being vegetable or fruit, not exceeding one quintal in weight is delivered.]
(13) In the absence of any written agreement to the contrary the sale price of agricultural produce purchased under these rules shall be paid by the buyer to the Kacha Arhtiya on delivery of Form I.
(14) Delivery of agricultural produce after sale shall not be made or taken unless and until the Kacha Arhtiya or, if the seller does not employ a Kacha Arhtiya, the buyer has given to the seller a sale voucher in Form J, the counterfoil who of shall be retained by the Kacha Arhtiya or the buyer, as the case may be.
5[24-A. Commission of Kacha Arhtia
The commission of Katcha Arhtia for services rendered in connection with the sale, purchase, storage and processing of agricultural produce mentioned below,

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[See Amendment]
1. Substituted vide Notification No. GSR 167/ PA dated 3.7.66.
2. Substituted vide Notification No. 11(13) M-III-83/9379 dated 4.5.88.
3. Substituted vide Notification No. GSR 167/PA dated 3.7.66.
4. Added vide ibid.
5. Substituted vide Notification No. GSR 43/PA 23/61/S.43/Amd. (44)/98 dated 22.5.1998.

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shall be paid at the following rates, namely:-

Name of Agricultural Produce	Rate of Commission
(i)     cereals i.e. Wheat (Kanak), Barley (Jau), Maize (Makki), Great Millet (Jowar),         Spiked Millet (Bajra), Paddy and Rice (Dhan and Chawal).;	2.5 percent
(ii)    all fruits and vegetables except Chillies (dry and green)	5 percent
(iii)   Chillies (dry and green)	1.5 percent
(iv)   dry and green fodder; and	3 percent
(v)    all other items (other than those specified in items (i) to (iv) mentioned in the         schedule of the Act]	1[2.5 percent]

2[24-B. Seizure of the agricultural produce
(1) The uthorized s produce belonging to a person trading without a valid licence shall be liable to be confiscated.
(2)(a) The Secretary of the Committee shall seize the uthorized s produce referred to in sub-rule (1) and henceforth he shall prepare a seizure memo of the agricultural produce so seized giving such of the following particulars as may be available the spot:
(i) Name of the agricultural produce;
(ii) Weight or available uthorized of the vehicle;
(iii) Name of the driver of the vehicle;
(iv) Builty or consignment No.;
(v) Name of the consignee or consigner;
(vi) Place from where the agricultural produce is seized; and
(vii) Such other particulars as may be considered necessary.
(b) The seizure memo shall be signed by the Secretary of the Committee, the driver of the vehicle or the person from whose possession the agricultural produce is seized and if the driver’ or the person from whose possession the agricultural.

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1. Substituted vide Notification No. G.S.R. 13/P.A. 23/61/S.43/ Amd. (60) /2004 dated 19.2.2004.
2. Inserted vide Notification No. 11/13-M-III-83/9379 dated 4.5.1988.

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produce is seized does not sign the seizure memo. It shall be signed by two witnesses alongwith the signatures of the Secretary of the Committee.
(3) The Secretary of the Committee shall inform the Chairman of the Committee about the seizure referred to in sub-rule (2) for convening a meeting of the committee or of the sub-committee, as the case may be, for taking a decision regarding its confiscation and the meeting of the committee of the sub-committee, as the case may be, shall be convened within forty-eight hours of the seizure of the agricultural produce:
Provided that the order to confiscate the agricultural produce shall not be made without giving the person concerned an opportunity to show cause as to why such an order should not be made.
(4) The confiscated agricultural produce shall be disposed of in an open auction or in such other manner as may be decided by the committee and the sale proceeds thereof shall be deposited in the Market Committee Fund].
25. Weighment
Sec. 43(2) (1) The Board shall fix standards of net weight of agricultural produce to be
(x) filled in a packing unit such as bag, a half bag or a palli within each notified market area.
(2) No person shall fill or cause to be filled any agricultural produce except in accordance with standards fixed under sub-rule (1).
(3) All transactions in a market in terms of packing units shall be deemed to have been entered into accordance with standards fixed under sub rule (1)
(4) Immediately on the completion of weighment of a lot of agricultural produce within a notified market area, either party to the contract may cause a test weighment of ten percent of the units of packing in a lot or two packing units whichever is more. The test –weighment shall be carried out at the site of weighment and if no test weighment is held at the site, the produce shall be deemed to have been correctly weighed.
(5) Test weighment under sub-rule (4) shall be carried out in the presence of both the parties to the contract. In case any of the parties refuses or otherwise evades presence, the other party may report in writing to the Secretary of the committee or any employee of the Board not lower in rank to that of 1[the Secretary of the committee] who, after satisfying himself as to the correctness of the report, shall cause the test weighment to be made in his presence or in the presence of any other official of the

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1. Substituted vide Notification No. GSR 25/P.A 23/61/S.43/AMD (26)/89 dated 15.2.1989, published in the Gazette dated 24.2.89 .

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committee uthorized by him in this behalf, and the result of such test weighment shall be final, conclusive and binding on both the parties.
(6) Before any agricultural produce weighed in pursuance of a contract of sale or purchase within a notified market area is removed from the place of its weighment, the Chairman, the Secretary of the Committee or any employee of the Board not lower in rank to that of 1[the Secretary of the Committee or Agricultural Inspector (Market) or Assistant Marketing officer of the Marketing section of the department of Agriculture & Forests (Agri. Wing)] shall, with a view to satisfying himself that such weighment has been correctly made or is filled in accordance with standards fixed under sub-rule (1), be entitled at any time and without any previous notice, to check the weighment by means of weights and instruments kept by the Committee or any other agency in the presence of the purchaser and the seller and if either or both of them evade presence, test weighment may be carried out in the presence of any two persons present there.
(7) If the weighment checked under sub-rule (6) is found to be defective, the persons checking the weighment may order the lot, to be reweighed. The reweighment shall be made at the cost of the buyer, if it is not filled in accordance with the standards fixed under sub-rule(I), and at the cost of the weighman concerned, if the weighment is otherwise defective. Such orders shall be final and the buyer or the weighman, as the case may be, shall immediately comply with the order. This sub-rule shall operate without prejudice to any other punishment that may be awarded under the Act, these rules or bye-laws made thereunder.
26. Use of weighing instruments, weights and measures, their inspection and seizure
Sec.43 (2) (1) Only such weighing instruments. As satisfy the requirements of, and such
(x)&(xi) weights and measures as are prescribed by, the Punjab Weights and Measures Act, 1958, and the rules made thereunder shall be used for weighing or measuring agricultural produce in a notified market area :
Provided that in the transactions of sale and purchase of a agricultural produce in the principal market yard and sub-market yards of the notified market area the beam scale (kanda) or platform scale shal only be used.
(5) Every committee shall keep in the market yard atleast one weighing instrument of the capacity of one quintal and two sets of weights, and in places where measures are used two sets of measures, verfied and

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1. Substituted vide Notification No. GSR 7/P. A. 23/61/S43 AMD (29)/90, dated 2-2-90, published in the Gazette dated 6-2-90.

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Stamped in accordance with the provisions of the Punjab Weights and Measures Act, 1958, and the rules framed thereunder. The committee shall cause such weights and measures to be tested and verified once in the course of each calendar year through the agency appointed and in accordance with the requirements of the said Act and rules.
(3) The Chairman of a committee shall allow any person to check free of charge any weight or measure in his possession against the weights and measures maintained under this rule.
(4) Weighing instruments, weights and measures kept by a committee under this rule may at any time be inspected, examined and checked by the Chairman or the Secretary of the Board or by any other employee not lower in rank than that of an Inspector uthorized in this behalf by the 1[Secretary] of the Board. After inspection the inspecting authority may give such directions as it may deem proper. The committee shall be bound to comply with such directions.
(5) The Chairman or the Secretary of the Board or the committee, and any other person uthorized in this behalf by the 2[Secretary] of the Board shall be entitled at any time and without previous notice to inspect, examine and test any weighing instrument, weight or measure used, kept or possessed within a notified market area by a licensee under section 10 or 13 of the Act, and every such, licensee in possession of any such weighing instrument, weight or measure shall, when required, be bound to produce the same before the person entitled so to inspect, examine and test it.
(6) Any person uthorized to inspect, examine and test any weighing instrument, weight or measure under sub-rule (5) shall, while so acting, have all the powers of an Inpector, Weights and Measures, appointed under section 15 of the Punjab Weights and Measures Act,1958.
27. Weigh-Bridge, measuring yards and certificates of weighment or measurement
Sec. 43 (1) The committee may erect in the market a weigh bridge for the
(x) & (xi) weighing of agricultural produce on payment of such fees as may be . prescribed by its bye-laws
(2) In places where it is customary for any agricultural produce to be measured instead of being weighed, the committee may specify a place within the market for that purpose and make arrangement for the measuring of such produce on payment of such fees as may be prescribed by its bye-laws.

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1. Substitute vide Notification No.11(l3)-M-I-83/21424 dated 13/14-10-1987.
2. Ibid

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(3) The committee shall be responsible for maintaining such weigh bridges or measuring yard in proper condition, and for issuing free of cost certificate of weighment and measurement, as the case may be, in such forms as may be prescribed by its bye-laws.
(4) A certificate issued under sub-rule (3) above shall be accepted as final by all persons transacting business in the notified market area, unless it is proved, to the satisfaction of the Chairman of the committee or his uthorized representative that the weighment or measurement was done on a defective weigh-bridge or measuring yard or by means of an incorrect scale or weight or measures.
28. Places at which agricultural produce shall be weighed or measured
Sec.43 (1) In any notified market area for which tobacco or chillies has been notified
(2) (x) as agricultural produce under section 6, the committee may prescribe the places at which the aforesaid commodities may be weighed, measured or sold.
(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-rule (1), weighments and measurements of agricultural produce intended for sale, shall be made through licensed weighmen or measurers in the principal or a sub-market yard.
29. Levy and collection of fees on the sale and purchase of agricultural produce
Sec. 23 & 1[(1) Under section 23 a committee shall levy
43 (2) (i) fees on the agricultural produce bought or sold by licensee; and
(ii) also additional fees on the agricultural produce when sold by a producer to a licensee;
In the notified market area at the rate fixed by the Board from time to time].
2[Provided that no fee shall be levied on the agricultural produce bought or sold in respect of which fee has already been paid in the same or other notified market area within the State. The licensee dealer who claims exemption from payment of fee shall make declaration and give certificate to that effect in Form ‘KK’ within a period of [See Amendment] thirty days of the transaction of agricultural product in question to the Committee from where the exemption is claimed]:
The certificate in Form ‘KK’ shall be prepared in quadruplicate from the book-let, duly attested and issued by the Secretary of the concerned committee or its uthorized officer, against the payment, fixed by the committee. It shall be the duty of the dealer, claiming exemption from the payment of fee to send the original copy of Form ‘KK’ to the committee within whose market area the

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[See Amendment]
1. Substituted vide Notification No. GSR 154/P.A./23/61/3-43/ Amd. (22)/82 dated 29.11.1982.
2. Substituted vide Notification No. 11/12/2002-M/3/7394 dated 15-11-2002

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agricultural produce is brought. The second copy shall be sent to the office of the committee within whose market area such agricultural produce is bought and the third copy shall be retained by the dealer, who purchased the agricultural produce and the fourth copy shall be retained by the dealer who sold the agricultural produce and the same shall be kept as a part of their accounts, maintained in respect of payment of the fee. [See Amendment] The certificate referred to above presented after the aforesaid period of thirty days, shall not be entertained and no exemption from payment of fee shall be granted to the dealer:
Provided further that the dealer claiming exemption from the payment of fee under sub-rule (1), shall also produce a copy of the railway receipt, forwarding note, bill, bilty or challan, as the case may be, duly signed by him or his uthorized agent in the office of the committee where the agricultural produce is bought before it is loaded the second copy shall be produced by the said dealer in the office of the committee, within whose market area the agricultural produce is brought before it is unloaded and the third copy shall be retained by him. In case no such copy is produced by the dealer in the office of concerned committee, no claim for exemption shall be entertained.]
1[ Provided further that no such fee shall be levied on,
i. the agricultural produce imported from a foreign country;
ii. the certified seeds;
iii. the timber or firewood of the following categories imported from outside the State of Punjab
(a) Kail; (b) Deodar;
(c) Partal (Spruce and Fir);
(d) Hollock (Assam Teak);
(e) Champ;
(f) Teak;
(g) Sal;
(h) Chil].
(2) The responsibility of paying the fees prescribed under sub-rule (I) shall be of the buyer and if he is not a licensee then the seller who may uthori the same from the buyer. Such fees shall be leviable as soon as an agricultural produce is bought or sold by a licensee.

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[See Amendment]
1. Substituted vide Notification No. 11 (13) –M-111-83/9379 dated 4.5.88

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1[(2-A) The additional fees shall be uthoriz from the producer by the licensee through whom the producer sells the agricultural produce and if the sale is made by the producer direct to a licensee the additional fees shall be uthoriz by the licensee from out of the sale proceeds of the agricultural produce; and]
(3) The 2[fees including additional fees] shall be paid to the committee or a paid officer dulyauthorised to receive such payment with in 3[seven] days of the day of transaction;
Explanation:- In computing the period of 4[seven] days specified in sub-rule 3 of rule 29 and sub-rule (1) of rule 31, the day of transaction shall be included. [See Amendment]
(4) A receipt in Form K shall be granted forthwith to the person making payment in respect of any fees paid under these rules.
(5) Every officer or servant employed by a Committee for the collection of fees shall be supplied by the committee with a badge of office in such form as may be prescribed by it. The badge shall be worn by the officer or servant concerned while discharging his duties.
(6) Every such officer or servant shall before entering on his duties furnish such security as may be prescribed by the bye-laws of the committee concerned.
(7) For the purpose of this rule agricultural produce shall be deemed to have been bought or sold in a notified market area.
(a) If the agreement of sale or purchase thereof is entered into in the said area; or
(b) If in pursuance of the agreement of sale or purchase the agricultural produce is weighed in the said area; or
(c) If in pursuance of the agreement of sale or purchase the agricultural produce is delivered in the said area to the purchaser or to some other person on behalf of the purchaser.
5 [(d) If the agricultural produce sold or bought otherwise than in pursuance of an agreement of sale or purchase and is delivered in the said area to the purchaser or to some other person on behalf of the purchaser].
(8) If in the case of any transaction any two or more of the acts mentioned in sub – rule (7) have been perfonned within the boundaries of two or more notified market areas the market fee shall be payable to the committee within whose jurisdiction on the agricultural produce has been weighed in pursuance of the

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[See Amendment]
1. Inserted vide Notification No. GSR-154/PA-23/61-S.43/Amd. (22)/82 dated 29-11-82.
2. Inserted vide ibid.
3. Substituted vide Notification No. GSR – 85/PA-23/61-S/43 Amd. (27)/89 dated 21.11.89 published in the Gazette dated 06-02-90.
4. Substituted vide ibid.
5. Substituted vide GSR-230/PA23/61/S. 43/ Amd. (3) 63 dated 5-10-1963.

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agreement of sale or, if no such weighment has taken place to the committee, within whose jurisdiction the agricultural produce is delivered.
1[29-A. Power to lease for collection of fee
A committee may subject to the previous approval of the Secretary of the Board, lease out on contract basis the collection of fee levied under section 23 of the Act read with sub rule (1) of rule 29 of the rules in the notified market area of the committee on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed in the bye-laws of the committee for any period not exceeding one year. The contractor and other persons employed by him for the management and collection of fee, shall:-
(i) be bound by the provisions of the Act, rules and bye-laws and any other order passed by the committee for their guidance and for performing their duties.
(ii) have such powers exercisable by employee of a committee under the Act, rules or bye-laws as the uthorize may confer upon them from time to time: and
(iii) be entitled to the same remedy and be subjected to the same responsibility as if they were employed by the committee for the management and collection of fee.]
30. Exemption from payment of fees
Sec.23& 2[(1) No market fee shall be levied on the sale or purchase of any agricultural
43(2)(vii) produce, manufactured or extracted from the agricultural produce in respect of which such fee has already been paid in the same notified market area or in an other notified market area within the state].
[See Amendment]3[(1-A) The dealer who claims exemption from payment of market fee levied on any agricultural produce manufactured or extracted from the agricultural produce in respect of which the market fee has already been paid in another notified market area shall make declaration and give certificate in Form K-l to the committee from where exemption is claimed and a copy of the same shall be delivered to the committee to which the fee has already been paid. The counterfoil shall be retained by the dealer. The book containing K-l form shall be got attested by the dealer from the Secretary of the concerned Market committee or his uthorized officer before giving the requisite certificate. The dealer shall produce the certificate within a period of thirty days from the date of transaction to the committee from where exemption is claimed. The certificate presented after the afotesaid period of thirty days shall not be 4[entertained and no exemption from payment of fee shall be granted to the dealer].
5[(1-B) A dealer claiming exemption from the payment of fee under sub-rule (1), shall produce a copy of the railway receipt, forwarding note, bill, bilty or challan, as the case may be, duly signed by him or his uthorized agent, in the office of the committee where the agricultural produce is bought before it is loaded, the second copy shall be produced by the said dealer in the office of the Committee within whose market area the uthorized s produce is bought before it is unloaded and the third copy shall be retained by him. In case no such copy is produced by the dealer in the office of concerned Committee, no claim for exemption shall be entertained].
(2) The dealer concerned in the sale or purchase of any quantity of agricultural produce from which he manufacturers or extracts any other agricultural produce shall maintain in Form-L true and correct accounts of the sale or purchase as the case may be of the said agricultutal produce and of any agricultural produce manufactured or extracted from it.
(3) No market fee shall be leviable on purchase of raw hides and skins and sale of cured tanned and processed hides and skins from the persons who themselves are tanners and are residing in the State.

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[See Amendment]
1. Added vide notification No. 11/13/203 M-3/7738 dated 19-11-2003.
2. Substituted vide Notification No. 11(13) M.III.83/9379 dated 4-5-1988.
3. Substituted vide GSR-85/P.A.-23/61/S.43/Amd. 89 dated 21-11-1989 published in the Gazette dated 01-12-1989
4. lnserted vide Notification No. GSR 64/P.A. 23/61/S.43/Amd. (49) 98, dated 4.9.1998.
5. lnserted vide ibid.

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1[(4) No market fee shall be levied on paddy, cotton, timber, firewood and groundnut taken from one notified market area to another notifed market area for the purpose of processing on sawing as the case may be].
(5) No market fee shall be levied during the financial year 1992-93, on the purchase of wheat by the national committee for solidarity with Cuba for the purpose of export to Cuba as a gift.
2[(6) No market fee shall be levied on the sale or purchase of Great Millet (Jowar), Gram and Kabli Gram (Channa Kala and Safaid, Cotton Seed (Banaula), Ground Nut (Shelled and unshelled), Cluster Bean (Guara), Turmeric (Haldi), Heena (Mehndi) Goat Hair, Camel Hair, Indian Clover (Senji), Cress/Gardenress (Hallon), Oats (Javi), Gur, Shakkar, Khandsari, Green Gram (Mung), Black Gram (Mash), Phaseolus aconitifoetius (Moth), Lentil (Massur), Pigenopea (Arhar), Rajmaha, Soya Bean, Indian Colza (Sarson), Indian Rape (Toria), Maize (Makki), Barley (Jau) and [See Amendment] Spiked Millet (Bajra) in a notified marked area within the State of Punjab).

(5) No market fee shall be levied on Indian Colza (Sarson) Indian Rape (Toria), Rochet (Tara Mira), Linseed (Alsi), Indian Mustard (Raya), Sesamus (Til), Groundnut (unshelled) and Sunflower Seed imported from out side the State of Punjab for the purpose of processing and which is not bought or sold as such in the notified market area.
[See Amendment]3[(8) Omitted ..............]
[See Amendment]4[(9) No market fee shall be levied on paddy (Basmati) imported from outside the State of Punjab:
Provided that the proof of making payment of market fee in the State from which paddy (Basmati) has been imported alongwith the purchase bill, documents relating to transportation and Form K-2, is furnished by the dealer to the] 5[concerned committee within a period of thirty days from the date of transaction].

6[(10) The committee shall refund the market fee deposited by a dealer regarding fruits and vegetables exported by him to other countries from the State of Punjab on production of export documents and Form K-3 duly verified by the Punjab Agricultural Export Corporation].
7[(11) The Committee shall refund the Market fee deposited by a dealer of rice or paddy out of which rice is extracted and exported, by him to other countries from the State of Punjab on production of export documents and clearance by the,

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[See Amendment]
1. Substituted vide Notification No. GSR 45/PA-23/61/S.43/Amd. 35/93, dated 7.5.1993.
2. Substituted vide Notification No. GSR 19/P.A. 23/61/S. 43/ Amd. (61)/2004 dated 27.2.2004.
3. Omitted vide Notification No. GSR 30/P.A. 23/61/S.43/Amd.(43) 98 dated 17.4.1998.
4. Added vide Notificaiton No. GSR 52/48/P.A.23/61/S.43/Amd.(38)/94 dated 24.8.94, published in the gazette dated 25.8.94.
5. Substituted vide Notification No. GSR 49/P.A. 23/61/S.43/Amd.(47)/98 dated 23.6.98, published in the Gazette dated 25.6.98.
6. Added vide Notification No. GSR 46/P.A. 23/61/S.43/Amd. (45)/98 dated 11.6.98.
7. Added vide Notification No. GSR 63/P.A.23/61/S43/Amd.(48)/98, dated 3.9.98.

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authorities by making payment of duty of custom, if any leviable under the Customs Act, 1962, within the State of Punjab and on production of Form K-4]
1[(12) No market fee shall be levied on the sale or purchase of flowers and Sericulture (raw-silk) in the notified market areas within the State of Punjab].
2[(13) (i) No market fee shall be levied on wheat and maize purchased by the wheat and maize processing industries for manufacture of products therefrom such as wheat flour and its secondary/tertiary products such as bread, biscuits, pasta, noodles etc; starch and its derivatives gluton etc. in the State of Punjab.
(5) No Market fee shall be levied on fruits and vegetable purchased by fruit and vegetable processing industries through contract farming.
(iii) For new fruit and vegetable processing units who have not established the contract farming relationship with farmers shall be granted exemption from the market fee for a period of 3[four years] to source their raw material from the farmers].
4[(14). No market fee shall be levied on:
(1) (a) the organic produces grown under organic practices whether under contract farming or otherwise which are certified by the Punjab Agricultural Export Corporation Limited;and
(b) The durum wheat grown under the contract farming by the farmers or the dealers, as the case may be, who are registered with the Punjab Agro Food grains Corporation.]
5[30A. Sale and purchase of agricultural produce for export out of the State
(1) Where any sale or purchase of agricultural produce is made for the purpose of export outside the State of Punjab, the dealer shall make a declaration and give
certificate to that effect in form ‘Q’ in triplicate. The dealer shall alongwith other documents furnish one copy of the declaration to the Committee within the notified market area of which the sale or purchase of agriculture produce was made, against stamped receipt, where any market fee has been paid or is to be paid. The second copy shall be delivered by the dealer at the inter-state barrier and the third copy shall be retained by him. When the agricultural produce is uthorized by rail, one copy of the declaration shall be furnished by the dealer to the officer or the official of the Board or the Committee, as the case may be posted at the concerned railway station.
(2) If a dealer fails to comply with provisions of sub-rule(1), the agricultural produce shall be deemed to have been bought or sold in the notified market area of the place where the vehicle or other conveyance carrying the agricultural produce is checked. If the defaulting dealer is not a licensee of that notified market area, the transaction of the agricultural produce shall be deemed to have been made without a valid licence and the agricultural produce shall be liable to be confiscated as provided in rule 24-B.
30-B Powers to exempt
The State Government may for reasons to be recorded in writing, exempt any class or category of dealers from the provisions of rule 30-A]

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1. Added vide Notification No. GSR 4/P.A. 23/61/S43/Amd. (50)/99 dated 21.1.1999.
2. Added vide Notification No.GSR 96/P.A. 23/61/S.43/ Amd. (58)/2001 dated 11.9.2001
3. Substituted vide Notification No. 11/8/04-M-3/4816 dated 27-6-05
4. Add vide Notification No. 11/19/2004-M-3/759 dated 1-2-2005
5. Inserted vide Notification No. 11/9/2000-M-3/1663 dated 20.3.2002.

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31. Account of transaction and of fees to be maintained [See Amendment]
Sec.23 1[(1) Every licensed dealer and every dealer exempted under rule 18 from obtaining a licence shall submit
&43(2)    to the committee a return in Form ‘M’ showing his purchases and sales of each transaction of agricultural (5)          produce within seven days of the date of the transaction].
      Provided that a person exempted from taking a licence under rule 18 (2) (b) and 18 (2) (c) shall be exempted from the provisions of this sub-rule in respect of sale of agricultural produce by him and person exempted from taking a licence under rule 18 (1) (e) and 18 (2) (e) shall be exempted from the provisions of this sub-rule in respect of sale and purchase of agricultural produce by him:
      Provided further that in case of a dealer, who exclusively deals in fruits and vegetables, it shall not be necessary to fill in Form M the particulars of the person to whom any quantity of fruits and vegetables less than one quintal is sold:
      Provided further that in case the Kacha Arhitya sends one copy of Form J to the Market Committee, the Kacha Arhitya will be exempted from sending Form ‘M’ to the Market Committee and the buyer shall indicate in Form ‘M’ only the total quantity and the gross value in respect of each commodity purchased from each seller.
(2) The Committee shall maintain a register in Form ‘N’ showing the total purchases and sales made by dealers and fees recoverable and recovered from them.
2[(3) The assessing authority shall determine the rate of fee to be levied by the Committee under section 23 of the Act on the basis of return furnished under sub¬-rule (1) by the dealer] [See Amendment]
(4) If any dealer fails to submit a return as prescribed in sub-rule (1) or 3[the assessing authority] has reason to believe that any such return is incorrect, it shall, after giving a notice in form ‘0’ to the dealer concerned and after such enquiry as it may consider necessary, proceed to assess the amount of the dealer’s business during the period in question.[See Amendment]
(5) If a dealer habitually makes default in the submission of returns or if in the opinion of 4[the assessing authority] the dealer habitually submits false returns, the committee may order for the inspection of the dealer’s accounts. [See Amendment]
(6) After an order under sub-rule (4) is made, 5[the assessing authority] shall inform the dealer of the date and place fixed for the inspection: [See Amendment]
Provided that if the dealer so desires and pays such fee as the committee may fix in this behalf, the inspection shall be made at the dealer’s premises.

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[See Amendment]
1. Substituted vide Notification No. GSR 85/P.A. 23/61/S43/ Amd.(89) dated 21.11.99 published in the Gazettee dated 1.12.89.
2. Substituted vide Notification No. GSR 19/ P.A. 23/61/S.43/Amd. (51)/99 dated 15.3.1999 published in the Gazette dated 16.3.99.
3. Inserted vide ibid.
4. Substituted vide Notification No. GSR 19/ P.A. 23/61/S.43/Amd. (51)/99 dated 15.3.1999.
5. Inserted vide ibid.
6. Inserted vide Notification No. 11/19/04-M-3/8095 Dated 11.11.05

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1[(7) The assessing authority may after inspection prepare a return or may amend the return already furnished, on the basis of transactions, appearing in the dealer’s account books, and the assessing authority may determine or as the case may be an additional fee levied under section 23 on the basis of such return or amended returns, but if the account books are reported to be unreliable, or as not providing sufficient material for proper preparation or amendment of the return or if no such books are maintained or produced, the assessing authority may assess the amount of the dealer’s business on such information as may be available or on the basis of best judgement, and determine fee due on the basis of such assessment].
2[8. Omitted ]
[See Amendment]3[(9) In addition to the fee or additional fee levied or determined under sub-rule (3) or sub-rule (7) the assessing authority may recover from the defaulter penality equal to the fee or additional fee found due to be payable.]
(10) Habitual default in the submission of returns and habitual submission of false return shall be a sufficient ground for suspension or cancellation of or refusal to renew, a licence, and the provisions of this rule shall apply in addition to and not in derogation of any other law, penal or otherwise, applicable to non-compliance, or defective compliance with any duty imposed upon a dealer by the Act or by these rules, or by any bye-law or order of a committee.
(11) An assessment order made under 4[sub rule (7)] and (9) shall be communicated to him by means of a demand notice in form P and a copy thereof shall be granted to the dealer on this making a written application, and paying a sum of two rupees as copying fee to the committee. Every Committee shall maintain a register of copying fees.
(12) The copy shall be prepared in the office of the committee and certified to be correct by the 5[assessing authority or in his absence by any other person appointed in this behalf by him].
Such certificate shall give the dates on which application was received and the copy prepared and delivered to the applicant, and shall be conclusive evidence of the correctness of these dates.
(13)(i) 6[An appeal against the assessment order made under 7[sub-rules (7) and (9)] shall lie to the Secretary of the Board and shall be preferred within sixty days from the date of communication of the assessment order appealed against in the form of 

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[See Amendment]
1. Substituted vide Notification No. GSR 19/ P.A. 23/61/S.43/ Amd. (51)/99 dated 15.3.1999 .
2. Omitted vide ibid.
3. Substituted vide Notification No. GSR 19/P.A. 23/61/S.43/ Amd. (51)/99 dated 15.3.1999 published in the Gazette dated 16.3.1999.
4. Substituted vide ibid.
5. Inserted vide ibid.
6. Substituted vide Notification No. GSR 79/P.A. 23/61/S.43/Amd (33)/92 dated 11.11.1992 published in the Gazette dated 12.11.1992
7. Substituted vide Notification No. GSR 19/P.A 23/61/S.43/ Amd. (51 )/99 dated 15.3.99 published in the Gazette dated 16.3.99.

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memorandum duly stamped with court fee of twenty rupees and signed by the appellant or his duly uthorized agent and shall be presented to the Secretary of the Board or to an officer uthorized by him.
(5) If the appellant fails to prefer the appeal within the period specified in clause (i) the appellate authority may for reasons to be recorded in writing condone the delay for filing the appeal if the delay was for reasons beyond the control of the appellant:
1[Provided that no appeal shall be entertained unless the appellant has deposited with the assessing authority concerned an amount equal to twenty-five percent of the amount of the fee assessed or rupees twenty five lac, which ever is less.]
Explanation :- In computing the period of limitation for filing an appeal, the period spent in obtaining a certified copy of the assessment order shall be excluded.
2[(ii-a)] The 3[Secretary of the Board or an officer uthorized by him] after hearing the appellant and also the 4[assessing authority] making the assessment, or, if he deems necessary, after such enquiry as he think proper, may accept, modify or reject the assessment order appealed against
(iii) The 5[Secretary of the Board or an officer uthorized by him] may waive the whole or a part of the penalty imposed under sub-rule (9), in a case where such penalty, would, in his judgement mean undue hardship to the appellant.
(iv) The order passed by the 6[Secretary] shall be final and conclusive.
(5) Books to be kept by licensed brokers and godown-keeper
Sec.43(2) Every broker and every godown-keeper licensed under these rules shall¬-
(xxxi)
(a) keep such books in such form as the Committee granting the licence may, from time to time, prescribed by its bye-laws;
(b) render such return at such times and in such forms as the Committee may prescribe; and
(c) render such assistance as may be required by the committee, in the collection of fees under the Act or under the rules or bye-laws made thereunder, in preventing evasions of payment thereof, and generally in the prevention of breaches of the Act or of these rules or of any bye-laws made thereunder.

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1. Substituted vide notification No. 11/14/2003/654 dated 27-1-2005
2. Substituted vide Notification No. G.S.R. 19/P.A. 23/61/S.43/Amd. (51)/99 dated 15-3-1999 published in the gazette dated 16-3-1999.
3. Substituted vide Notification No. 11 (l3)-M-I-83/21424 dated 13/14.10.1987.
4. Substituted vide Notification No. GSR 19/P.A. 23/61/S.43/ Amd. (51)/99 dated 15.3.1999 published in the Gazette dated 16.3.1999.
5. Substituted vide Notification No. 11(l3)-M-I-83/21424 dated 13/14.10.1987.
6. Substituted vide ibid.

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33. Refund of certain amounts
Sec.43(2) (1) When –
(vii)(viii) (a) any sum has been deposited for the grant of a license which has in fact not
& (ix) been issued; or
(b) a person has wrongly applied and paid for and been granted two or more licences of the same nature for the same notified market area; or
(c) any market fee has been recovered in excess of the amount actually due; or
(d) any market fee has been recovered on a transaction which is exempted under these rules; or
(e) any money has been paid by mistake; the 1[Chairman of the Board or Chairman of the Committee] as the case may be, shall, on a written application being made within 2[one year] of such deposit and after such enquiry as he or it may consider necessary, order the refund of the appropriate amount, which shall be repaid to the person concerned, after preparing a refund bill, out of the Marketing Development Fund or the Market Committee Fund, according as it was credited in the first instance to the Marketing Development Fund or the Market Committee Fund.
(2) The powers conferred on the 3[Chairman of the Board] by sub-rule(1) may also be exercised by such officer subordinate to him as he may appoint in this behalf.
(3) The application for refund shall contain such particulars as are necessary to enable the amount for which refund is claimed to be traced.
34. Prevention of adulteration of agricultural produce
Sec.43(2)(1) No person shall adulterate agricultural produce, or place or offer
(xxxiii) agricultural produce for sale, in a notified market area.
(5) It shall be the duty of a committee to prevent adulteration of agricultural produce in the notified market area. The Chairman or Secretary of the committee may take all or any steps within his power to stop, prevent or discourage such adulteration.
Explanation : For the purposes of this rule adulteration of agricultural produce shall include mixing of inferior stuff with superior produce, mixing of different varieties or different qualities, mixing of uthor remains of the agricultural produce with agricultural produce and mixing of earth, dirt and stones or any other extraneous matter with any agricultural produce.

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1. Substituted vide Notification No. 11/l3/93-M3/5762 dated 27.8.2003.
2. Substituted vide Notificaion No. 11/l3-M-Iil-83/9379 dated 4.5.1988.
3. Substituted vide Notification No. 11/l3/93-M-3/5762 dated 27.8.2003.

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35. Preservation of the prescribed form and production thereof and inspection of the accounts books
Sec.43(2) (1) The counter foils of form I, J, and M shall be preserved by the dealer
(xxxi) concerned for a period of two years from the date of issue of the foil to which the counter foils relate. The register in form L shall be preserved by the dealer concerned for a period of two years of the date on which the last entry was made in that register.
1[(2) ................Omitted]
(3) Every licensee and dealer exempted under rule 18 from taking a licence working within the notified market area, shall on demand by Secretary or Chairman of the committee or any officer of the Board uthorized by the 2[Chairman of the Board of an officer uthorized by him] in this behalf, produce all or any of the forms preserved under sub-rule (1) above or the account books maintained in respect of the sale, purchase, storage, transportation or processing of agricultural produce by him for inspection and examination at such time and at such place as he may be required and shall, if required by any of the inspecting officers, hand over any or all of the said forms, or books against a receipt.
3[35-A. Power to order production of accounts, powers of entry inspection, seizure and stopping vehicles]
(1) Any officer of the Board not below the rank of 4[the Secretary of the committee] or any other officer empowered by the State Government in this behalf, may require any dealer to produce before him, the books and other documents maintained by him and to furnish any information relating to the purchase, sale, storage of processing of agricultural produce and also such other information relating to the payment of the market fee by him as may be required necessary.
(2) All accounts and registers maintained by any dealer and documents relating to the purchase, sale, storage or processing of agricultural produce, in his possession, and his office, establishment, godown or vehicles shall be open to inspection at all reasonable times by any of the officer specified in sub-rule (1).
(3) If such an officer has reasons to believe that any person is attempting to evade the payment of market for due from him under section 23 or that any person has purchased agricultural produce in contravention of any of the provisions of the Act or the rules or bye laws in force in any market area, he may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, seize such accounts, registers or documents of such person, as

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1. Omitted vide Notification No. GSR 10/P.A. 23/61/S. 43/Amd. (1)/63 dated 3.1.1963.
2. Substituted vide Notification No. 11/13/93-M-3/5762 dated 27.8.2003.
3. Inserted vide Notification No. 1863-RD-I-74/9925 dated 3.6.1974 published in the gazette dated 4.6.1974.
4. Substituted vide Notification No. G.S.R. 25/P.A. 23/61/S. 43/ Amd. (26) 89 dated 15.2. 1989, published in the gazette dated 24.2.1989.

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may be necessary, and shall grant a receipt for the same and shall retain the same only so long as they may be necessary for examination thereof or for the prosecution of the person concerned.
(4) For the purpose of sub-rules (2) and (3) such officer may enter and search any place of business, warehouse, office, establishment, godown or vehicle where he has reason to believe that the dealer keeps or is for the time being keeping any accounts, registers, documents relating to his business or stock of agricultural produce.
(5) The provisions of Sections 100 and 102 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (1973) shall, so far as may, be apply to search and seizure under sub-rules (3) and (4).
(6) At any time, when so required by the Government or by any officer of the Board not below the rank of 1[The Secretary of the Committee] or any officer uthorized by the Government in this behalf, the driver or any other person incharge of any vehicle or other conveyance which is taken or proposed to be taken out of the market area shall stop the vehicle or other conveyance, as the case may be keep it stationary as long as may reasonably be necessary and allow such officer to examine the agricultural produce carried in the vehicle or other conveyance, and to inspect all records relating to such agricultural produce, and furnish his name and address and the name and address of the owner of the vehicle or other conveyance and owner of the agricultural produce carried in such vehicle or other conveyance.
36. Composition
Sec.46,43 (1) In case the Chairman of the Committee accepts a sum, by way of
(1 )&43(2) composition in accordance with the provision of section 46, he shall report
(vi) the matter in next meeting of the Committee, placing before the meeting all relevant papers in that behalf.
(2) The amount so uthoriz by way of composition shall be in addition to any amount due from the offender under the Act or the rules or the bye-laws.
37. Publication of marketing information
Sec.28 (1) A Committee may, and when required by the 2[Chairman of the Board or
(vii) & an officer uthorized by him] shall, for the benefit of the persons using the
43(1) market exhibit in a suitable place outside its office and at such other place or places as may be determined by it, bulletins of information on such matters as the prices of agricultural produce ruling at the principal marketing centres in the State and the ports serving the State and the stocks held by mills and the like.

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1. Substituted vide Notification No. G.S.R. 85/P.A. 23/61/S. 43/Amd. (36)/93 dated 4.11.93 published in the gazette dated 5.11.1993.
2. Substituted vide Notification No. 11/13/93/M 3/5762 dated 27.8.2003.

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(2) The daily rates of all important agricultural commodities authenticated by a person uthorized by the committee in this behalf shall be exhibited in the regional language in conspicuous places.
(3) Such bulletins shall be signed by the Chairman or other person as may be appointed by him in writing and a copy of each such bulletin shall be kept for record in the office of the Committee.
38. Storage accommodation
Sec. 43(2) (1)A Committee may arrange when necessary, accommodation for the
(xv) temporary storage or stocking of agricultural produce.
(5) The committee shall charge such fees for such storage and stocking as may be prescribed by its bye-laws.
1[39. Penalties
Sec. 43(3) (1) Any person committing a breach of any of the provisions of these rules or any of the conditions of his licence shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees:
Provided that no person shall be prosecuted under these rules without affording him an opportunity to show cause].
(5) Procedure for appeals
Sec. 43(2) (1) Every appeal preferred under sub-section (4) of section 10, sub – section
(xxii) (3) of section 29 and section 40 shall bear a Court fee stamp of 2[ten rupees] and shall be presented to the appellate authority in the form of a memorandum by the appellant or his duly uthorized agent. The memorandum shall set forth concisely the grounds of objection to the order appealed from and shall also be accompanied by a copy of such order.
(2) The limitation for filing an appeal under section 40 shall be one month from the date of order appealed from.
(3) In computing the period of limitation for filing an appeal under the Act the period spent in obtaining a copy of the order shall be excluded.
(4) The appeal shall be decided after notice to and hearing the parties concerned, if they so desire, and after making such further enquiry as the appellate authority may consider necessary.
(5) A copy of the decision on the appeal shall be supplied to the Board or the committee concerned free of charge, and on demand to the uthorize on the payment of 3[one rupee] per page or a part thereof subject to a minimum of 4[ten rupees]

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1. Substituted by G.S.R. 10/ P.A/23/61/S.43/Amd. (1) 63 dated 3.1.1963.
2. Substituted vide Notification No. 11 (13)- M-III-83/9379 dated 4.5.1988.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.

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1[41 ........................... (Omitted)]
42. Preservation of records
The respective records of the Board and the Market committees shall be preserved for the period noted against each in the schedule here to annexed :-

1[42-A. Accounts and audit
The accounts of the Board shall be post audited by the Accountant General, Punjab or such other authority, which the State Government may notify in the official gazette and the report of accounts so audited shall be submitted to the Board and a copy thereof shall be forwarded to the State Government.]
43. Repeal and savings
The Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets Rules, 1940, and the Patiala Agricultural Produce Markets Rules, 2004 B.K., are hereby repealed:
     Provided that such repeal shall not affect –
(a) the previous operation of any rule so repealed or anything duly done or suffered thereunder; or
(b) any right, privilege, obligation or liability, acquired or incurred or any licence issued under any rule so repealed; or
(c) any penalty, forfeiture or punishment incurred in respect of any offence committed against any rule so repealed; or
(d) any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any such right, privilege, obligation, liability, licence, penalty, forfeiture or punishment as aforesaid;
and any such investigation, legal proceeding or remedy may be instituted continued or enforced, and any such penality, forefeiture or punishment may be imposed, as if these rules had not been passed:
Provided further that anything done or any action taken under these rules so repealed shall be deemed to have been done or taken under these rules, and shall continue to be in force accordingly, unless and utho superseded by anything done or any action taken under these rules.