JUDGMENT

Sen. J.-Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 confers upon the Central Government power, inter alia, to regulate production, supply and distribution of essential commodities for securing their equitable distribution and availability at fair prices. The power given to the Central Government by sub-section (1) of Section 3 is in very broad terms. Sub-section (2) specifically provides that an order can be made by the Central Government, inter alia, "for controlling the price at which any essential commodity may be bought or sold". Clause (f) of sub-section (2) of Section 3 has also empowered the Central Government to require any person holding in stock, or engaged in the production, or in business of buying or selling, of any essential commodity, to sell the whole or a specified part of the quantity held in stock or produced or received by him to the Central Government or a State Government or to an officer or agent of such Government or to a Corporation owned or controlled by such Government as may be specified in the order. Sub-section (3A) of Section 3 provides that where any person sells any essential commodity in compliance with an order made with reference to