Powers of Inspectors

(1) An inspector may, with a view to securing compliance with this Order:- (a) require any manufacturer, importer, pool handling agency, wholesale dealer or retail dealer to give any information in his possession with respect to the manufacture, storage and disposal of any fertilizer manufactured or, in any manner handled by him; (b) draw samples of any fertiliser in accordance with the procedure of drawal of samples laid down in Schedule II. Provided that the inspector shall prepare the sampling details in duplicate in Form J, and hand over one copy of the same to the dealer or his representative from whom the sample has been drawn; (ba) draw samples of any biofertilisers in accordance with the procedure of drawl of samples laid down in schedule III. (bb) draw samples of any organic fertilisers in accordance with the procedure of drawl of samples laid down in schedule IV. (c) enter upon and search any premises where any fertiliser is manufactured/imported or stored or exhibited for sale, if he has reason to believe that any fertiliser has been or is being manufactured/imported, sold, offered for sale, stored, exhibited for sale or distributed contrary to the provisions of this Order; (d) seize or detain any fertiliser in respect of which he has reason to believe that a contravention of this Order has been or is being or is attempted to be committed; (e) seize any books of accounts or documents relating to manufacture, storage or sale of fertilisers, etc. in respect of which he has reason to believe that any contravention of this Order has been or is being or is about to be committed; Provided that the Inspector shall give a receipt for such fertilisers or books of accounts or documents so seized to the person from whom the same have been seized; Provided further that the books of accounts or documents so seized shall be returned to the person from whom they were seized after copies thereof or extracts thereform as certified by such person, have been taken. (2) Subject to the proviso to paragraphs (d) and (e) of sub-clause (1), the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) relating to search and seizure shall, so far as may be, apply to searches and seizures under this clause. Provided also that the inspector shall give the stop sale notice in writing to the person whose stocks have been detained and initiate appropriate action as per the provisions of this order within a period of twenty one days. If no action has been initiated by the inspector within the said period of twenty one days from the date of issue of the said notice, the notice of stop sale shall be deemed to have been revoked. (3) Where any fertiliser is seized by an inspector under this clause, he shall forthwith report the fact of such seizure to the collector whereupon the provisions of sections 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E of the Act, shall apply to the custody, disposal and confiscation of such fertilisers. (4) Every person, if so required by an inspector, shall be bound to afford all necessary facilities to him for the purpose of enabling him to exercise his powers under sub-clause (1).