Seed Act 1976

SEED ACT 1976 GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN rEDER.AL SEED CERTIFICATION DEPARThIENT r"lINISTRY or FOOD..\CiRTCULTURE .\: CO-OPERATIVES ,\i I "'.,t. .\.\IJl. 01 I'm. All Acl 1.0l'j'Oi'iJ.'.!fll' di;~:rolli;t.r. cud r. glll;.t''''".~ t!.I~' qa.lli:y ,i~('\;'('{N I~r 1'I.IrioU'. rarhlio. "("r"I'''' WIIUH.AS it is cxpedicrn I" roW\ itt·,: lor contro'Iine :mo regula,tmg the quulity of seeds of various varieties or (1"0,: ;':'1 and tor m~nh:;.'" ~~ione'i.~d therewith: A>~n \\ IILttL\S lh,: Pn.J'.iIH,;;.d :\:,:<f.:bli·:, -r (Ii\.' Flal!iah. Sind. the Nr rth-Wcst Fronticr Province and B:t111l"!li.!:>n have I'ass~l' "~S("l,:i"P' under Article 144 of the Constitution of the islamic' Rcrublic .)1' i'aki':an i,' the effect that Parliament may by law regulate and control ~h~' \i~!~t1ji ~ of sc\.·J:'I ,)f \ :;r~'H;~ varieties ofcrops ;1 . I. Short title, c:\lclIi :lmi ':"l1illll'iict'OIl'nl•. ( I)'j nis Act may' be called the Seed Act. 1976. (2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan. (3) It shall come into force at OIll"C. 2. D:lhitilllls.-ln this Act, unless th ...re is anythil1£ repugnant in the subject or contcxl, (a) "approved.seed" .meanssccd true to speciesas.approvedby the Federal Seed-Certification Agcncy: (hI "basic seed" means seed produced b)' all. Of£llnil.:ltil.n set ,up by a Provincial Government for the l'lirposc; (e) "certified seed" means sccdcertitiedbv the Federal Seed -Certiiicatioa Agency: (ef) "Federal Sccd Certification Aecncv" means the Federal Seed Certification Ag~t\(:y established t!nd·.:r~~~ti( · ~ : (1'\ "National Rceistration :'.!!t'nc\·· mC31h the 1\:llional Registration Agency established under SCCl!,lll' 7 : ' (n "National Seed Council' nKJ!!S tli.: National Seed Council established under section 3 ; (g) "notiflc.l variety or species" means a variety \11' spcvics which has been notified as such under section I·(): (/;1 "post,C')111('('!00 means :1 tria! to check Oil varietal. authenticity and purity of the ocniiicd sccd.: (i) "pre-basicseed" means ~ceJ of highgeneric purity produced by a plant breeder : tk) "1'1'(>\ incial .Sced Council" lII<:<lU. :l PnJ\ inc:i:Jl ~c.-J Council-established under 'section 9; ., fI, ··J~·::i·.l,-::~.i i. IP :·l;, ' · l":~"l ,! \.il.·!~. ~,,"'::;"" ..J h:. :,;~. '''''.:i>;j·,:; ~'''{~'..aljnu •\g;';i~-':~ O,,\i: .';" ; .;-. :-.. ('Ilt ··n..~i"':l.:,... '"\1 ~r·t" ," ,:~ ,' t i' ..·f·.·.' u,' :~I·\)t;1' ~lr p , ;':;l;·.I:-~.:lf in pto ..hu"iUL! :'~,"'.., ::lH.: t.,'~;"."'.j .i :i!..i; tu;l!':r this .\':l : . (II) '·r.:ka"t.·,.t '.·.I!:';i~·· :,j,,: ,.t.,' j:~..~i·:·:r.:·.i '.:;I;..:!:- !I:J"::o:;, :'~I':C'2:~t-:i.iP valee for ~ft.)\\ It'g. jll a I)f""l:l,:1.: .l·~~· i:~~:~)":.:L! by Ih.: Pn\\ io-.:i::1 S.":~ :",':t::101 : ("J "rulc-" m.::lll, r;ll..." :JI~': l:~J.·f lois '\':1 : (", "seed" means :1:1\' 0: 0 ta.: f..lJ:"\\;;1~ c:!:I;;~\OS of seeds lIy.J "lOr ~,.\\ille l': "Iii u in!! n:lm.:ly··- • - • Ii, S:.:J, ,.f r,,,.,J '::·~li'; io.:/lhIil•.:' .:.libf.: ..if s~'I.l ami se-:ds (,1' {nllb and 'l.:~.:tai":i".~ : (;;1 t:l.lll'n ~.:J : ...:" of f'k.:'.kr: ~t:J :.1-:;;':~\!II ~~·,,:u~:;:l~·'~ tuh~r~. ~'ulh,. thiLV!Jt<S- rOt"s• .:ullin;!' .all '~T-':> ,f...r.:li~ :lIIJ o iacr \':£da:i\d~ propagated material or li,,1I! crops or i,>d&r: ('1/ -S....:J .\I);llySl·· meansa S.::J An..I}>!. ;IPI'"inl.:d under :>::\.1ioo 17 ; Ir) ""S.:.:J C~"tUlkJtion OIlL:.:r-m.:lns a SccJ C...rtitication Om..-cr appoinled under s«tion 18, (s.J ..Seed Jn~Jl.:ctor"· m.:ans 4 Se.'d Iuspeetor appointed under i«tion 19: ,t) "s :c.:i...."~ mcanS":1 group .,f pbnts l.:j)r.:"··ntin!! a crop known bya common ume, such as. wheat.pa~y an,~ cotton belongingto one spo:cics sub-5pccics or roon:l ; and \u} .'T.Irkty- m.:.an. :l ~<)Up of pblalS b:lon,ing to a specieswhichfornopping flIIiPO'il= is amiidered as anMvidual unit and ean be distin~ from other varieties of tbe 5a1llt spa:ics. 3. ~111 of Safilal Sd eo.ciJ.-As soon as may be aftQ lbeaml ~"lHI:llt oC this Acl. the fak"!:ll Gm'mlDlclltshnn establish 1I !<:ttioaa) Seed Cuucil1Ullkr the ChlIirmiNhip Ae Federal Minister-in-eharpe of Atrialkure for the p:rformance or such fuoc:tioos IS may be entrusted to it under thisAct. 4. "'UlIdion- or til~ ::'\alloal Sme-ucil. -The functions of the NatiO'llll.l Seed CI>lIll\:il iuur-aii« slllH b:: . . (il to :KhbL' on l':>li:y for the O:\.-I0pl11cn(. operation and r~uLuion of the Provincial .~"-.:d industries; (iii to mainlai" a watch 00 the <>rY.s21ion of tht provisions of this Act ; liii) io guidc in ;.,:tllini;l\-rin~ Ill.:SCl."d quality control service ; (ir) h' din"\.1 in;'i;\li,>n ofPr:>\·incr.lI Seed Projects : 11'1 I" ,"II">!"." :IIlU ,>r"I\.'C\ im-estmmt in the seed industry ; lril ILl arrrl"'~ :In~ ~anctic.>ll stnl st:l1idard~ : Iril.1 '0 IC".;ul;'ho imu-l'r\'\iu;ial ,.:liI:" nHwcm::n1 ; (,,,il t,-· il~!oi;,: ~.,\ ..m!X':1 l'f loi'-:c!>.: ,,,) H· ' .. ··Jr",n"l.: nwltupbc:1lwn mvJ ~I!rf'fy (Of s<'eds or :Ir~(..,tld''lIrieti\'l': 1.,.1 II' o.,-,·rJoi;;:.C' Ih~ :trr;lr:~m('f':' f"r Ihe r.~,jl1l<-n;,tIl':~ (,l" ~'-nLlk fl'll"ll:ial; lint: 5, E"itah!illthmcnt of ··;.'d'.'1'~,I S"'('~~ t·.·,or:lic;)t!on .-\tl,\.'ti!'v. .\ .... ~Cl{in ~! .. m:1Y he after the commencement r(: hi:" '\CL t!>:·: ·;,,'d ..·;":~1 CI;J"'~:'n'rni'nt ~h:!1!f~l:thE:"Ih a Federal Seed Ccrtilication :\~.~n\:':o ;;'1" li~o' p\..dPi;:ll .• '~ ..... ,.r :-!;'.+ rt11~\""l~"'·lh :,,, ;1~:1~ h~' I,.;ttlfll'tcd 10 it under thi, Ad, (,. rultction-.; cf F..·d<,·r~i Si·~·d (~l"rt;{;=;r:i!)~ ..\!!:"'i1C-;.":-The Fc.icr.il -';l"':l.1 Certifica lion Agency shaH rcrforn: the ic';l.a\ir!g i'ui1..:t:c;ns. rr.mcly-> (a) c()ntrollin~ the 'illal;ty of ,~~,:" : (b) rceistcrine ~!\"'\"\·r ... -i!'l ~11~:~1 w::nr,~- ;;·~d ~t!:'l.l.:'Ci to such conditions us may b; prcscri'b~d : (c) c:r;ific:ltiO!1 (,;" ~';::i, : (ell field inspection (If the crop, of r,:::i'h'rd varieties and released varieties intended for ~a\: :,,, h~h.i\.~ <ccd Of c.:niii\"";{; seed : sarnolinaand h o·<iI12 flf ::..:('\.1 ;oh iii~I:;1j~,1 [,ii' ~:tk in order to ascertain their purity. \·i;tbi!il::. gC-f111!i1ati('l!1 capacity and heahl. ~ !atu~ in the prescribed manner: (g) (II) (i) (i) issui'lg certificates in respect of seeds which meet the prescribed standards of particular category of seeds : carrying out post-control trials Oil pre-basic, basic and certified s-eds ; 5:1mpIing and analysing seed lots delivered to the processing plants to estab lish a basis for the purchase of such lots; ammghtg training courses for seed Certification Officer: and providin~ technical and specialist adviceand assistance to 'th~ National Seed Council in the performance of its functions. 7. E~blishment flf National Re!l!stra!io1\ Al:~.-As soonas may be after the commencement of this Act, thz Fd·~ral Government shall establish a National Reaistration A!!~n:;\' ~:'- the ocrformance or such functions as mav h6 entrusted to it undcr th,isAc't. . ,. . ' s. J:uncflo!!s of '\atinll:l! Re;::ei!mf,o:l A~('ney.~The National Registration Agency shall perforn: the c·~(':t!l;':~ functions of the National Seed Council and shall : (1) conduct r'!\:-:-"Tj~lra;i~),l ch~ckng of varieties submitted Ior the purpose of (n) determining suitability for registration :IS a variety: (b) pro\'idin; definitive botanical description of CTCIr vnricties: and (c) rr(widili~ information on eenetic suitabilitv and adaruabilitv of varic tics : ... ... . . (if) register seed varieties after conducting pre-registration checking under clause (il : (ift) publish 11 li,t <>1' n:gisl.:rd ~cd \·u.ri.'iic's: and (il') perform such other functions as the National Seed Councit m"y (''!tTlI'J to it. 9. 1·:~tal,!b.hmL'JlI uf I'rtJ\ind:d St't'd Cm:ndi. '\ '" , ;. It. ~ = i ~ ( ~. t :! ",\ ' be a lter th~ commencement of ihis A(.1". ~i:!ll) :-o\"in"Ci:i1 (; (\'h~ i-I ~t ~l ':I ! ; :': ; ~:!: l~l~ill ;,.h , : ~ l'nH !i:;:;al Seed Council for the performancetlr such fi~ : ,~t i(\H :\ fl.';' '1:1 .: J:urrt1')CS c f this Act..as mav be entrusted to it bv the FcderalGovc-n.ncm. i i1 ~ : In 'ii : I.~! ~ k" !·1 ••\ irh !L: Provincial Go~·ernll1ent. . . 10. POIn'r IQ notify varicti::s or ~ll\'cics d Sl·,·d. .! !:.: F",it:!;I; Government may, by notification in the official G::7CItC. ~r,~d\ : (iI) the varieties nr species ofseed ap~)r,. \· -.:"; f,;! pr'JUUCII'::lin a Provinc.or any part thereof : Ib) the minimum limits of eemtination and nu ritvst ndards to which such seed shall conform: and - , . (d the mark and label to ind icate that such seed cos.orms to the minimum limits of germinat ionand purity sta ndards :,ntl I!;~ p;!riicu1ario which such mark or i:ihd may c"m:~;n . II. Rczulation of sale of seeds t'fr.n!!fh:d ~':1l";cti~~" ::.:;:i~p,c!~~~- ·No person shall. sell. offer for sale. or adven ies or hold in stoc k for sale. cr brier cor otherwise supply. any seed of any notified variety or species unless :. (0) such seed is identifiable as to its variety or species : (b) such seed conforms to the minimum Iimits of gcrmination . and purity standards as laid down under section 10 ; (e) the container of such seed bearsthe mark and label containing correct parti culars thereof in the prescribed manner: and (el) he complies with such other requirements-as may be prescribed. 12. Appointment. of registlRd ~1\'ft'S.-The .i=~dera! Seed Certification Agency may. on the recommendation of a Provincial Seed Council. register any farmer or grower J1S a registered grower to ~ucc seed iii the prescribed manner. 13. Grant of certificate b~' l'cdfl'lll Certinentlon Agcncy.,-(Il Any person in lending to produr- notified varieties or species of secd.vorstock for sale, or offer for distribution or otherwi se supply seed, ofa notified variety or speciesmay. if he desires 10 have such seedcertified or tested, by the Federal Seed Certification Agency. apply to the said ~genc)' for the granto: a certificat e for th is purpose, (2l Every application under sub-section (I) shall be in such form and Co: accom pa nicdby such fee aud .contain such information as may h~ prescribed, (3) On receipt of an ap plicat ionunder 5tlb-seClion I' i. :i;: .FCl:eral Ccuificaticn A~:ncy•.may-after such enquiry as it thinks lil and a fter sl:t :$ i~ i ll!! iisclfthtlt the seed to which the application rclues contcrm s tothc minimum prescrib ed standards . grant a certificate in such form and or. such conditions as ruav he r7cs~·rihed. t':.: Period · fur whicl; rc;:i;;lrnHon:llld l::rliiic:!t i (\~ ,;!t:ll: k rlTccti\('.-tIlThc reeistrution ol'n erower for producing ~.:~ds sita E·~~~ r ;i'~ct i\~ ft':· such pcriodc no] c :\~~:;d i l~g five .yc; rs. as' .inay be pni:.c;-ii~c(!. ' (2) Th; cen ilication or"th~ ·no:ifi:~ vmicticsand ~n::l.- i .> flf~....·f <.b !'-n:tH bedrc~l i\"c for such period as rna;.; be prescribed. 5 15. Llllccllaliull of (t·rtiliclltiol'. II". at am time "lkr l" rltli~,,~ioll under sub section 0, of section 13. the federal S,:.:J Ceruucation ..\~':IiC\ i, "!li,lied, either on a reference made to it in this behalf or otherwise, that :~. . (i) the certificate ~ral1ied hy it has been obtained hy misrepresentation or suppression or lin csscmial fact: or (i;l the holder of the ccrt ificatc has. without reasonable came failed II' comply with the conditions subject towhich the certificate has b~'C!l granted or has contravenedany of the provisions of this Act or the rules. then, 'without prejudice to any other penalty to which the holder ofthe certificate mav be liable under this Act. the Federal Seed Certification Accncv mav, after civine the' holder an opportunity of S}JOI-. ;l1g cause. cancel the ccrtiticate.· 16. Appeal.-( I) Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Federal Seed Certification Agency under section 15 to cancel I, certificate may. within thirty days from the date on which the dccisio» to cancel the ccrtit.earc is communicated to him and on payment (\f such tee as may he prescribed. prefer an appeal 10 the Federal Government or any other authority as it maydetermine Ircm lime to time. (2) On receipt of an appeal under sub-section (I!. the appellate authority shall. after giving the appellant an opportunity of being he: rd.c:i':rcse of the appeal as expeditiously as possible. (3) The order of the appellate authority under this section shall be final. 17. Seed Analyst.c-.The Federai Seed Certification Agency may. by notification in.the official Gazette. appoint any oerson to be a Seed Analyst to test the quality and purity of ~=ed produced at the seed farms before it is given out, for. commercial cultivation. 18. Seed Certification Officcr.-The Federal Seed' Certification Agency may. by notification in the official Gazette, appoint such person as it thinks fit to be a-Seed Certification Officer for such area as may be specified in the notification. (2) A Seed Certification Officer shall perform the same functions as are assigned to a Seed Inspector and also supervise the workof the Seed Inspectors in the area for which he is appointed, 19..Seed Jnspccfor.-Tht: Federal Seed Certification Agency may, by notifica tion in the official Gazette, appoint such persons as it thinks fit 10 he Seed Inspec tors for such areas as lnay he $pccifi::d in the notification. :!il, Power of Seed In'''peclms.--(!I A S~~8 inspector I11lt)'. within the area for which he is appointed. inspect ami take ~:!':1pks of :.:oy seed in labelled containers purporting to contain seed of a notified variety or species of seed from any person producing. selling, delivering. stocking 0. distributing seed and send such samples for analysis to the nearest laboratory of the Federa! Seed Certification Agency. (2) The Seed Inspector rnay-« (al enter and search ,11 all times. with such assistance as he may consider neces sary. any place in which he has reason io believe that an offence ~nder this Act has been or is heine committed and order in writinc the person til posses sion ofan, seed in respect ofwhich the offencehas been or is being commined not to dispose cf :my stock nf sud; seed is" s.x-cificd period not exceeding thirtv davs or, unless the :.Ilcl!cdoffence is"ud,lhal the defect may be remov ed h~' til" possessors of seed. seize the steel, of such seed; ttn examine :;,r.'. :-I,',:,.-,~. r.·,i.:'. 1,,; :-Al;:' l' ,t" t'1!1:"- ":l'."~::-!:!1. r·~:::ct found in "111\' ph(:"':~'}'; .....: "1· 1 "~... , '. I' "~" Ih;~ ::,.;:;~ ir b .. i.~sr("~t~(ln'to i'(";-i,\'~ th:f~;'''{t ";'"~::l~" -;:~:~;':~'~'-"'.,.,; ".;,., t~"~ t': J:;. • . v. .n .. ,'. ~:: ("f ~ny -offence punish~!ht.: ll~ll:...r 't:l;. l'\f~·: ;.,: fcJ cxc:...:is.." ';.~::~ p,W.'::S :1~:~~j,:: fl.' ::' ':."~,,,:,~=-: !;.lr ....'1':; ;~.<~ f"'::t thepurposes of this i'.C' t·~ ~tn~ rele, (..;, The powc: c(lni:"rr?t.! b:'l~i~ :~t:t;;;i1 jr·.:;t:.,j~s 'p'.,,;;:' to break open any labelled container in ·\'.}:,1-::1 :.n;" :-:...."t.i (h' :.~y :1(~li::,~.' \ar •.:!:(~r specie- Ji'AiY be kept and to hrcak upon tho..: (!tl{'~' ({~~ny rf-:rr,;,:.;~·· whcrc ~~n~ <cc': .' "~! mcy be kept for sale : Provi..J~u rbnt th~ !l~·I\·.::;":(i hre:l t.!l("" !ih:: "'~'-;'~:- ~hdir.c exercised onlyafter the owner or any t,.1ih:r, ~,::~::,{,:, ~i' oc.:{;~t1!,,~~, ~,!;' 1!1': r~·~~mi:.:-'. if nc j:; present therein, rCrU5'::~ to oren the ,i".lor "";1 :~:n;- Q~h:.j rpon to do so. (51 Where th~ Seed 111:r:..xter takes :111\ action un{!':r sub-section Ol. l.e shall. as far as possible.... :'.1i n:', k';'s rban :\\'(1 r:c1:"O:~': of the Ie",,;,;;ty tf! be present at the time when such action is l~h:n and iake :"cir signature ona memorandum to be pre pared in the prescribed form and manner. (6) The provisions of.lhp Code orCriminal Procedure, 1898 (Act v of 1898). shall, so far as may 1>.:, :;pplyto a".y 5!:.'!rd: ,.,rseizure madeunder this section as they apply to any search or seizure ill:!;!': :;:;,.c..he authority of a warrant issued under section 9Sof the said Code. 21. Procedure Co Ild&ilcMr:!d bySe.."t! lnspN:tor.-(I) Whenever :a Seed InspeC tor intends to take :I sample from the crop of any seed of a:ty notifbi ,-ariety or species for analysis. I:: sl'.:lIJ-.-:. . (0) give notice lit \\'ritin~ of J!:.s intenlion to do so f(l the ptrson from whom ~ intends to take =p1~: aw,) (hl except in ~:lxial easzs pro\'!!J"..aby ;;:b. bl-.,; three representative samples in the rr;s~;ibcd manner an'! n:3~{ ~n:~ ~c~t(!r~a~h::l UI' esd; sample in such manner :.IS its Dt':.!t.tre ~~ri11: '\.. (2) When S:.l:i1P\-"; (,fanr ~~~ 4:" ~~:p.~:'~";~l:.:,-; \ ~::·i.."t\ ;}f ~;x:ci':-~'\ ::~.: t::~ en under sub-section (.1). th.... ":.""\.1 .~':~~"':::,~: ;1i':":"~! " (u) JI:I;\.::r l'I1':: ~mpl.:: .(> Il,e i'~r~:-" Ircm whem it h:!~ been taken : (hI send. in the prc\i:rib-:d m:mn::r. another sample for analysis to the Seed Testing Laborator- of the nrcawithin which such sample itm been taken ; :md (e) relain the remainin!! s:ampl.:: in the j'll'.::scrihed m?l1f1!:T fe: production in case =1ny kga! p,·..)ct..~:d!:l~ ~n: lalc!i. (3) \\·h~re a S·~"'-d In'r-::~''!n; mnkc~ nn c.nit"!" i..Hidc!' .:-bus,," (I" nr ~lJl~-~e::iion (2) "rs~i(ln 2(1. tel h~ sh~tI! liS...' ~! d,-~r:ald11n :l~ertain-iu~ \\"f~!!lcr (\f no! tJ,{" ~d CORtG~venes ;ttl:" of lhL:~oz::ir.ci.!j( s l3idd~\\ll'ur;~i~~~~~ct!:m 1(:. aCt.L if i1 i-= t!sccn.nined ih.u ,h~' ~-,,,I .hl·-, Ih o l :-'! ,',:; Ijl~ S.l:;.! \.,r..ll' . :~'. :." : -~ .• .: E)r th.: r~ll:i!~ p:"lh,' "'L-.;, : ..' (bl if~~I': ~h.'1,-·:~ ...)~'::,~.... ".. : . said sr-:,,·ili\'.I1: ":'. ',.: ":1 tratc ;,:oJ la~:' ;i1 .. I,· ••. :.'· 7 ::. ': ' ..••;.: ~~... ntc!:r p:;,~~J und .r '. :1 ~i.·::.~·~ .::" In~l: be ncces-ary .e, (; tvI ..I::: ..:.,:, : ~.~I'''~· .... ;.tt{ ",l! forl.ll~) the afore.. :...; :.-p ~ ..t rh.- fi':lrt~r to a ~iaei~.. : I,. :~•.: : :tlllJ ... ....: '... " :. Icl without I'r,'.it:,;· .. I·' ::~ .'. '.. '.'; ;,.,~. ~;"·":'~';'::;"'1. if lh~ :Ia.~L'd offence is such th H !:i:: d....;·:..i :.. l>' . .; :.,- .t-. .f::·~:" •. -or .,,'lh~ s..:L:";.L he )halL on being ::.:i.i:.t;~J i ~~. ;;~. '1 ". '. " i: ~·:.1 :., ;',·!.~:·,\·.;d. rv~:.h\'.'ith rcvo} c the order P:t~'l~U ~,;;.L. 1'·. (-I) Where a S·"\.:'li J :\.~;', ..,~..: -.-: ;) ./...... . . ~~'. h .... bt..:r~ ~~O~limcnls or any material object under ,"\::.;: I;'! ,,( :.:l~··:-,;::,,"~.:l ,,: ..,·,'.wn ::l'. he shall. as soon as may 1>.:, rcport thc rna.tcr i,';l :,j;'.:;i",: ..:..: ",: ;..:.: ~·.i·. onl-!" a~ I,' the custody there of. 21. R..'purf of ~l'~~ Tl',:iu;.: L;.l~:.~· :1"', r- :.; I;'", ~..:.:~ r&::,~:.•~ L;~hor;I!t>r) ~IL as soon as may be ':n~r ~;)(" n:l".·'.:!r: PI' .!:. -: :':;': . ~;:I"J,""J' ~":i:l;l.l:1 11. analyse the sample uno deliver, in such ~·\.;nll as nu.\ b.: t"i:::.~; ;t-;.~\.~. (.':i..: L:O;'Y of tilt: report of the result of the analysis to the Seed Jl:sp-.::i'.lr ;.:lli ;i:l':~;"L'r ",)l'~ thereof 10 the person from whom the sample has been taken. (2) The production in any inquiry, In.:1 .'r other proceedings under this Act of a report under the hand of a S::;:J Amd". in ihe form prescribed shall, until the :contrary is proved, be sufficient 10 pr'.'w 1:1~ fm:i:. stated therein. (3) When ail)' p.rson b :1.rU,~J qf an ",n-':nc..: under this AL1, '1;;. court may, if it considers necessary in the interest of justice and the accused deposits in the court a sum of money in accordance with tho: scale prescribed, summon as a witness the' Seed Analyst who analysed the sample in rc. p:.:t of which such person is accused of havingcommitted an offence, and. if S~:I person is acquitted, any sum of tJIOney so deposited shall be refunded to him. 23. OIl'CIICl5 aDd pcuaIt~·.-Whoewr (i) contravenes any provision of this Act or any rule; or (ii) prevents aSeed Certification Oiliccr or a Seed IIISIlI.'Clor from ta1:ing a sample or inspecting SCL-d under tlli:. Act ; or (iii) prevents any official from exerd5:r.:; any power conferred on him by or UDder this Act, shall b..- p\lllishablc~ (a) (b) (e) for the first offen:;,:. ,,'ilh lin:: no: ,·:.cL't:dillg one t~ousand ru!"-'CS: where the offencc cl,,,tiilu~ :lftcr cOII\'iction, wilh :: furthcr fine of one hundred rupees for cildl day durill" which thc off.:nee conlinues ; and for a subscqucnt Of!·Cll:c. "j:,; ::'I!"j'OIlIll':I1t for ;I Icrm \\hich may cxt.:nd to six monlh;. or "i,il lin::. or wilb bolh. 24. Po\\'er of court to urdff forfeita;l:.--lf all\' person is convictL'U of 311 offence punishable under Ihis Ac! in =1'::1 0:;'1::' :JL1:;lre~ '":1ricty 0: s!,:cies of seed. thc court COD\'icline him s11:l11 furlher dire:: I:I~: :I:~ sc:d sh:lll to: torfClld to Ihc Fcdrnll Government. ~ 25. COJlnizancc of olIenee. cte.-(ll ;,.. ,,)::rl illr.:r;~,r 10 Ibl of a Ma£istrnlc of the first clas~ wall 1IJ al. oflclltt p.llu:.!J.lbL uaJ~~ lui" Act. ,. II (.21 ~l) l'\)lH1 ~;~~I1! t;d~l' {:,\~;il/~nll', t'~ ~m \l!lCIK~ pUljJ"Iftabh... ncdc1" this ..\d except upon a comr'~1111 I:, "I.'n ..., ""d.' by tk' L'llk'ral Se,·,j ccnilication Agency or ~l person 4U1tjw:-i~C0 hy ii iu 1;ii") b~'h;J1f :'y an order in wr;1il1~.. 2(,. l'rc,umJllioll;l\ lit order. \'.'her.: an order purports tu have been made and >ign.:d hy all autn,',i;: III nelci>c of allY p,mer conferred by or under this Act a court shall presume \\ithi.. the I1wanin~ c f the Evidence Acl. 1l'72 iI of 1!i72: that such order was ,0 n.adc by t luu authority. 17. lodemn;!:.-i"" suit. r.,n,,·cutiO:l or other legal proceeding shall lie against any person for an:;hing 1'.lli,':1 IS III .;:oood faith done or intended to be done under this Act or the rub. 2l'. Dell-gation or pencrs.v-Thc Federal Government may. by notification in the official Gazette. direct that all "I' any of its powers under this Act or the rules shall, in such circumi-tunccs :1I1d under such conditions. if any. as may be specified in the notification. be cwrciscablc :I!s" h:. (lI) a Provincial GOI crnmcm : or (h) an officer or authority subordinate to the Federal Government. 29. Power to lU'.Ikc rulcs.-( I) The Federal Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. (2) In particularand without PI'o';·.Idice to the generality of the foregoing power. such rules may provide 1'01' (u) the function. of the Seed Testing Laboratory; (It) the requirements which shall be complied with by the registered growers or a person carrying on the business of seed product.on, rroccssing or distribution : (c) the form of application for the grant of a certificate und.r section 13. the particulars it shall contain, the Ices which shall accompany it, the form of tirecertificate and tIlt'tondil:eHls subject to which the certificate may be grantcd: (dl the re "'ds to be maintuiucd by a registered grower or a person 'carrying on the .,thin:';5referred to in sub-section (I) of section 13and the particulars which such records shall co.uain: (c) the Iorm and manner in which. and the fcc on payment of which, an appeal lilly be preferred under section 16 and the procedure to be followed by the appellate authority in disposing of the appeal; to the qualifications and duties of a Seed Certification Officer ; I,,) the qualifications and duties 01';; Seed Inspector: (11) Ik manner in which samples nny he taken by the Seed Inspector, the pro ccdurc Ior s;.,ldill:' such ':.lmr:c:; ," tl.c Seed Testing Laboratory and tltc manner of aU:.l!y,illg such s.nnpies ; (i l the form of report of the result of the analysis under sub-section (I) of sccuon 22 2nQ till' f~t.·~ pi.!: i~bk in respect thereof : i jt th·: p;''1\\:r:. an.! tuucuou-. l.': ~! S,~·..·d , a!:~' : and ~n an~ other mauer which i-, h' b, o: nwy be pn:>enol-u.