Objectives of Essential Commodities Act, 1955

The object of the act is to provide, in the interest of the general public, for the control of production, supply and distribution of, and trade and commerce in certain commodities which specified in the act to be essential commodities. Another object of the act is to check the inflationary trends in prices to ensure equitable distribution of essential commodities. Section 2(a) states the following are essential commodities, they are following:-

1. Cattle fodder introducing oil cakes and other concentrates.

2. Coal, including coke and other derivatives.

3. Components parts and accessories of automobiles.

4. Cotton and wooden textiles.

5. Drugs.

6. Foodstuffs including edible oilseeds and oils.

7. Iron and steel, including manufactured products of iron and steel.

8. Paper including newsprint, paper board, and strawboard.

9. Petroleum and petroleum products.

10. Raw cotton, whether ginned (or) unpinned and cotton seeds.

11. Raw jute.

12. Any other class of commodities which the central government may by notified order declares to be an essential commodity.