State Government to fix price in consultation with Committee

The State Government shall, after consultation with the Committee, constituted under section 6 in respect of any particular minor forest produce, fix the price at which such produce shall be purchased by it or by any of its authorised officer or agent, from growers of that produce and shall publish the same in the Official Gazette and in such other manner as may be prescribed not later than the 31st day of December; and the price so fixed shall not be altered during the year to which the price relates: Provided that, if the Committee fails to tender advice within the period specified under sub-section

1. (5) of section 6 (or such further period not exceeding fifteen days as the State Government may allow), the State Government may proceed to fix the price without consultation with the Committee : Provided further that, different prices may be fixed for different units, and in so doing regard shall be had amongst other things, to—
   • (a) prices of the respective minor forest produce obtained or fixed under this Act, or any enactment during the preceding three years in respect of the area comprised in the unit;
   • (b) the quality of the minor forest produce grown in the unit;
   • (c) transport facilities available in the unit;
   • (d) the cost of transport; and
   • (e) the general level of wages for unskilled labour prevalent in the unit.