K.R. Ramaswamy Iyengar, Member—The allegations made in complaint are as follows: —

The complainants are agriculturists of Holalu Village in Bellary District and Haranagiri Village in Dharwar District. They grow various agricultural produce including hybrid seeds. The opponents are engaged in the supply of foundation seeds to various crops. The Opponent No. 1 which is a branch of Opponent No. 2 sold Bajra foundation seeds bearing Code No. B-276 to the complainants for the purposes of raising Bajra Hybrid seeds. The complainants sowed the seeds in their irrigated lands in accordance with the direction and instructions given by the opponents and their representatives and raised the crops by spending Rs. 2,500/- per acre. The seeds were sown in the second week of June, 1990 and the crops became ripe for harvesting in the third week of September, 1990. But it was found that due to inadequate release of pollens from the male flowers, there was complete failure of grain setting in the female earheads. As a result of which the yield was less than one quintal per acre as against not less that 12 quintals per acre, if there had been sufficient release of pollens. The inadequate yield was