Seeds Act, 1966
15. Procedure to be followed by Seed
Inspectors
(1) Whenever a Seed Inspector intends to take
sample of any seed of any notified kind or variety for analysis, he shall-
(a) give notice in
writing, then and there, of such intention to the person from whom he intends
to take sample;
(b) except in special
cases provided by rules made under this Act, take three representative samples
in the prescribed manner and mark and seal or fasten up each sample in such
manner as its nature permits.
(2) When samples of any seed of any notified
kind or variety are taken under sub-section (1), the Seed Inspector shall-
(a) deliver one sample
to the person from whom it has been taken;
(b) send in the
prescribed manner another sample for analysis to the Seed Analyst for the area
within which such sample has been taken; and
(c) retain the
remaining sample in the prescribed manner for production in case any legal
proceedings are taken or for analysis by the Central Seed Laboratory under
sub-section (2) of section 16, as the case may be.
(3) If the person from whom the samples have
been taken refuses to accept one of the samples, the Seed Inspector shall send
intimation to the Seed Analyst of such refusal and thereupon the Seed Analyst
receiving the sample for analysis shall divide it into two parts and shall seal
or fasten up one of those parts and shall cause it, either upon receipt of the
sample or when he delivers his report, to be delivered to the Seed Inspector who
shall retain it for production in case legal proceedings are taken
(4) Where a Seed Inspector takes any action
under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 14,-
(a) he shall use all
dispatch in ascertaining whether or not the seed contravenes any of the
provisions of section 7 and if it is ascertained that the seed does not so
contravene, forthwith revoke the order passed under the said clause or, as the
case may be, take such action as may be necessary for the return of the stock
of the seed seized;
(b) if he seizes the
stock of the seed, he shall, as soon as may be, inform a magistrate and take
his orders as to the custody thereof;
(c) without prejudice
to the institution of any prosecution, if the alleged offence is such that the
defect may be removed by the possessor of the seed, he shall, on being
satisfied that the defect has been so removed, forthwith revoke the order
passed under the said clause.
(5) Where a Seed Inspector seizes any record,
register, document or any other material object under clause (d) of sub-section
(1) of section 14, he shall, as soon as may be, inform a magistrate and take
his orders as to the custody thereof.