PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL MARKETING REGULATORY AUTHORITY ACT 2018

Exact source transcription retained, including print layout and extraction artifacts. Text SHA-256: df29632e3b9b99f0c674abe4765bcbd935165c86b1e95e5d70d72c9f83fd8825.

THE PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL MARKETING 
REGULATORY AUTHORITY ACT 2018 
(XXIX of 2018) 
CONTENTS 
1. Short title, extent and commencement 
2. Definitions 
3. The Authority 
4. Composition of the Authority 
5.  Removal of members 
6. Powers and functions  
7. Director General 
8. Appointments 
9.  Annual report 
10.  Delegation of powers 
11. Key service provider 
12. Farmer’s market 
13. Enlistment of a market worker  
14. Prohibition 
15. Registration 
16. Cancellation of Registration 
17. Suspension of Registration 
18. Directions by the Government 
19. Authority fund 
20. Bank account 
21. Budget 
22. Audit 
23. Malpractice 
24. Appeal 
25. Penalties 
26. Cognizance of offence 
27. Recovery of dues 
28. Marketing disputes 
29. Rules  
30. Regulations 
31. Act to have overriding effect  
32. Removal of difficulties  
33. Transition 
 
 
 
 
TEXT 
1
THE PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL MARKETING REGULATORY AUTHORITY 
ACT 2018 
(XXIX of 2018) 
[24th May, 2018] 
An 
Act 
to provide for the systematic growth and transformation of the marketing of 
agricultural produce. 
It is necessary to establish an Authority to facilitate and regulate the systematic 
growth and transformation of the marketing of agricultural produce;  to assist the 
development of agricultural commerce through multi ple channels; to provide 
meaningful support to the growers; and, to make for incidental provisions. 
Be it enacted by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as follows: 
1. Short title, extent and commencement .– (1) This Act may be cited as the 
Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority Act 2018. 
 (2) It extends to whole of the Punjab.  
(3) It shall come into force at once. 
2. Definitions.– In this Act: 
(a) “Act” means the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority Act 
2018; 
(b) 
2
[“agricultural marketing” means all activities and functions involved in 
the flow of agricultural produce from the production points commencing 
from the stage of harvest till these reach the end consumers including 
grading, processing, storage, transport, channels of distribution for sale 
and purchase of agriculture produce;] 
(c) “agricultural produce” means such agricultural produce as the 
Government may specify by notification in the official Gazette and 
includes any agricultural produce which is dried, graded, polished and 
packed but do es not include the produce that undergoes any other 
form of value addition; 
3
[(cc) “Auction Market” in relation to a market means a specified place and 
includes any enclosures, buildings or locality especially set up by the 
Authority for auction of agricultural produce;] 
                                                           
1This Act was passed by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab on 16 May 2018; assented to by the Governor of the Punjab on 21 
May 2018; and, was published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 May 2018, pp.8175-8182. 
2Substituted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Autho rity (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s. 2.  
3Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s. 2. 
(d) “Authority” means the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory 
Authority 
4
[established under section 3 of the Act]; 
(e) “buyer” includes a person who buys an agricultural produce for himself 
or for another person; 
(f) “collection center” means a pl ace set up by a dealer and registered 
under the Act where a grower may bring agricultural produce for 
grading, polishing, packing or sale;  
(g) “commission agent”  means a person who, in consideration of a 
commission or on his own trading account, acts for a gr ower and 
makes or offers to make purchase or sale of an agricultural produce or 
does or offers to do anything for carrying out the purpose and 
maintains an office; 
(h) “dealer” means any person who directly purchases an agricultural 
produce from a grower at a collection center; 
(i) “Director General” means the Director General of the Authority; 
5
[(ii) “Directorate of Agriculture” means the Directorate of Agriculture 
(Economics and Marketing) Punjab;] 
(j) “farmer‟s market” means a place attached to a farm or a place in an 
urban area where a grower or his association may directly offer for 
sale, in bulk or retail, the agricultural produce to a buyer and requires 
no registration with the Authority; 
6
[(jj) “Fund” means the Agricultural Marketing Development Fund 
established under Section 19 of the Act;] 
(k) “Government” means Government of the Punjab; 
(l) “grower” means a person who by himself or through a tenant or 
otherwise cultivates, grows or produces an agricultural produce but 
does not include a broker, commission agent or dea ler, individually or 
collectively or any other person engaged in the business or storage or 
processing of an agricultural produce;  
(m) “key service provider” means a person who provides services for 
marketing of an agricultural produce and includes a person i nvolved in 
handling, grading, polishing, packing, storage, transportation and 
insurance of an agricultural produce and registered under the Act; 
(n) “malpractice” means any act, omission or indulgence in any business 
or trade practice which defrauds or is likely to defraud a grower; 
7
[(na) “Management Committee” means the body empowered to manage 
markets in the private sector established under the Act; 
                                                           
4Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s. 2. 
5Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s. 2.  
6Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketin g Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s. 2. 
(nb) “Market Committee” means a body corporate constituted under section 
15A of the Act to manage a market established in the public sector; 
(nc) “market functionary” means a trader, commission agent, buyer, 
processor, stockist, and such other persons as may be declared under 
the rules or by-laws to be a market functionary; 
(nd) “market standards” means standards prescribed from time to time in 
relation to the design, construction, implementation, operation and the 
maintenance of notified markets and private markets;] 
(o) “market worker” means a person who, for a fixed remuneration or 
wages, offers services to a buyer or seller in the sale or purchase of an 
agricultural produce;  
8
[(oo) “Pharia” means a wholesaler working in an agricultural produce 
market;] 
(p) “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules or the regulations made 
under the Act; 
9
[(pa) “private market” means a facility that includes a building or a block of 
buildings, an enclosure and such infrastructure or services as may be 
prescribed for the purposes of the wholesale purchase or sale of 
agricultural produce owned by private person, entity or entities, 
established and managed under the Act; 
(pb) “Punjab Institute of Agricultural Marketing” means existing Punjab 
Institute of Agricultural Marketing; 
(pc) “Public Markets” include all existing markets notified by the 
Government immediately before the commencement o f this Act, and 
any public market so notified in future;] 
(q) “seller” means a person who sells or offers for sale an agricultural 
produce himself or through an agent; 
10
[(qq) “specialized market” means an agricultural produce market largely 
dealing in a single variety of agriculture produce item established under 
the Act;] 
(r) “trade allowance” means such allowance as may be prescribed under 
the rules; 
(s) 
11
[“virtual market” means a web -based commerce platform which 
facilitates and promotes e -trading for the sale or pu rchase of 
agricultural produce;] and 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
7Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), p ublished in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s. 2. 
8Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s. 2. 
9Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s. 2. 
10Inserted by the Punjab Agric ultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s. 2. 
11Substituted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 20 20 (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s. 2.  
(t) "wholesale market" means a building, block of buildings, enclosure or 
other area registered under the Act for purposes of wholesale trading 
of any agricultural produce. 
3. The Authority .– (1) The Government may, by noti fication in the official 
Gazette, establish the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority. 
 (2) The Authority shall be a body corporate, having perpetual succession 
and common seal, with power to enter into contracts, acquire or, subject to 
subsection (3), dispose of its property, and may, by the said name, sue or be sued. 
 (3) The Authority shall not dispose of any of its immovable property without 
prior permission in writing of the Government. 
4. Composition of the Authority .– (1) The Authority s hall consist of the 
Chairperson and the following members: 
(a) Special Secretary to Government of the Punjab, Agriculture Marketing; 
(b) Director General Punjab Food Authority;  
12
[(bb) Director General, Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority;] 
(c) three members of Provincial Assembly of the Punjab, including at least 
one female member, of whom two members to be nominated by the 
Government and one by the Leader of Opposition; 
(d) one Vice Chancellor of an agricultural University in the public or private 
sector; 
(e) four pe rsons from the private sector,  including at least one female 
member, if available, having agricultural background and experience in 
modern methods of agricultural marketing; and 
(f) Director General (member/secretary). 
(2) The Government shall nominate the Cha irperson and the members 
other than those mentioned at (a), (b) and (f) of subsection (1) for a term of three 
years but any one of them may be appointed for another term or terms in public 
interest. 
13
[(2a) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, th e Chairperson and 
the members nominated under subsection (2), shall serve during the pleasure of the 
Government.] 
 (3) The Chairperson or a member, other than an ex officio member, may, 
by writing under his hand, resign from his office. 
 (4) The Authority shall meet at least once in a month on such day and at 
such place and time as the Chairperson may determine. 
(5) The Chairperson shall approve the agenda for a meeting of the 
Authority. 
                                                           
12Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.3.  
13Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2024  (V of 202 4), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 14 June 2024, pp. 4759-4760, s.2(a).  
14
[(6) The Director General shall convene a meeting of the Authority either as 
directed by the Chairperson or on a request, in writing, of at least one third of the 
members, or if the Minister -in-charge or, in his absence, Secretary to the 
Government, Agriculture Department so directs.]  
15
[(7) The Chairperson or, in his absen ce, a member of the Authority 
nominated by the Minister -in-charge or by the Secretary to the Government, 
Agriculture Department, shall preside over a meeting of the Authority.] 
(8) The quorum for a meeting of the Authority shall be one third of the total 
number of the members. 
16
[(8a) A question arising at a meeting shall be  determined by the majority of 
votes of members  present and voting on that question and, if voting  is equal, the 
person presiding shall cast the final vote.] 
(9) No act or proceedings of the Authority shall be invalid merely by reason 
of any vacancy or defect in the composition of the Authority. 
(10) The Director General shall be responsible to prepare accurate minutes 
of each meeting, shall clearly indicate the dissent, if any, and shall submit for 
approval of the draft minutes to the Chairperson or the member presiding the 
meeting. 
(11) The minutes of each meeting shall be placed before the Authority for 
ratification in the next meeting. 
(12) The Director General shall keep and maintain c omplete record of the 
proceedings of the meetings of the Authority. 
17
[(12a) The Chairperson shall act in an honorary capacity and shall not be 
entitled to remuneration.] 
18
[*  * * * * * * * * * * *    *] 
6. Powers and functions .– (1) The Authority shall per form such functions, take 
such measures and exercise such powers as may be necessary for carrying out the 
purposes of the Act. 
 (2) Without prejudice to the generality of provision of subsection (1), the 
Authority may: 
(a) prescribe grading standards for a specific agricultural produce; 
(b) prescribe good agricultural practices, geographical origin of an 
agriculture produce or particular farming method for an agricultural 
produce; 
                                                           
14Substituted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2024  (V of 2024), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 14 June 2024, pp. 4759-4760, s.2(b).  
15Substituted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Autho rity (Amendment) Act 2024  (V of 2024), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 14 June 2024, pp. 4759-4760, s.2(c).  
16Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.3.  
17Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.3.  
18Omitted, section 5, by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2024 (V of 2024), published in 
the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 14 June 2024, pp. 4759-4760, s.3.  
(c) prescribe fees for registration of an agricultural produce market, 
collection center, virtual market and a service provider; 
(d) promote alternative marketing channels and contract farming; 
(e) promote and enforce the adoption of a fair system of auction of an 
agricultural produce in line with the best regional and international 
practices; 
(f) provide training for service providers; 
(g) control unfair marketing practices; 
(h) provide market information services, model contract farming templates 
and undertake surveys of markets and marketing of agricultural 
produce;  
19
[(ha) regulate the functioning of public or  private auction, and specialized 
markets; 
(hb) establish model auction markets, wholesale markets, collection centers 
and virtual markets; 
(hc) promote small and medium agribusinesses as may be prescribed;] 
(i) undertake research and publications in agricultu ral produce marketing; 
and 
(j) perform such other functions as the Government may assign.  
7. Director General.– (1) The Chief Minister shall appoint the Director General 
on such terms and conditions as he may determine. 
(2)  The Director General shall be the Chief Executive of the Authority and  
shall: 
(a)  be a whole time officer of the Authority; and 
20
[(b)  hold office for a term of four years and shall remain in  office thereafter 
until the successor is appointed.] 
21
[(3)  Nothing in this section shall preclu de the Chief Minister from extending 
the term of office of Director General for another term of four years after evaluation 
of his performance and contribution towards achieving the objectives of the 
Authority.] 
(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in th e Act, the Chief Minister may, 
at any time, remove the Director General subject to one month‟s notice or one 
month‟s pay in lieu of the notice and likewise the Director General may submit 
resignation subject to like notice or pay. 
(5) Subject to the superv ision and control of the Authority, the Director 
General shall be responsible to administer and manage the affairs of the Authority. 
                                                           
19Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Ma rketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.4. 
20Substituted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020 (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.5. 
21Substituted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020 (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.5.  
(6) Without prejudice to the generality of the powers under subsection (5), 
the Director General shall: 
(a) register a coll ection centre, wholesale market, 
22
[specialized market, ] 
virtual market or a key service provider; 
(b) suspend or cancel the registration of a collection centre, wholesale 
market, 
23
[specialized market,] virtual market or a key service provider;  
(c) establish a just accounting procedure for a collection centre, wholesale 
market, 
24
[specialized market,] virtual market and key service provider; 
(d) inspect a collection centre, wholesale market, 
25
[specialized market, ] 
virtual market and a key service provider; 
(e) cause collection of such information with respect to a collection centre, 
wholesale market, 
26
[specialized market,] virtual market or key service 
provider as he may deem proper or as the Authority may require;  
(f) conduct surveys of relevant agricultura l marketing and submit 
appropriate recommendation to the Authority; and 
(g) perform such other functions as the Authority may assign or the 
Government may direct. 
27
[7A. Secretariat of the Authority.– The Directorate of Agriculture (Economics and 
Marketing) shall act as Secretariat of the Authority to carry out its functions in such 
manner as may be prescribed. 
7B. Training Institute.– The Punjab Institute of Agricultural Marketing shall act as 
the training institute of the Authority in such manner as may be prescribed.] 
8. Appointments.– (1) The Authority may, in the prescribed manner, appoint, on 
contract, such officers, employees, experts or consultants on such terms and 
conditions as it may deem fit for the performance of its functions. 
 
28
[(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Act, the existing employees 
of Market Committees serving on regular basis on the date of commencement of the 
Act shall be deemed to have been appointed under the Act and upon occurrence of 
vacancy, any fresh recruitment shall be made in the manner as may be prescribed.] 
                                                           
22Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.5. 
23Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.5. 
24Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) A ct 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.5. 
25Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.5. 
26Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.5. 
27Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.6.  
28Substituted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authori ty (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.7. 
29
[(3) The successor Market Committees shall be responsible to settle in the 
prescribed manner the affairs of the employees, either retired or died, while serving 
the Market Committees or the Market Committees D evelopment Fund, such as 
Pension, gratuity, commutation and other service benefits, if admissible before the 
commencement of the Act.] 
9.  Annual report .– (1) The Authority shall submit to the Government, within 
three months of the close of a financial year, an annual performance report. 
30
[(2) The report shall consist of: 
(a) budget of previous year and actual expenditure; 
(b) budget of the ensuing or current year; 
(c) the statement of accounts and audit reports of the Authority;  
(d) a comprehensive statem ent of the work and activities of the 
Authority during the preceding financial year and its proposed 
projects and schemes for the following year or years; and  
(e) such other matters as may be prescribed or as the Authority 
may consider appropriate or as the Government may direct.] 
31
[10.  Delegation of powers .– The Authority may delegate to the Chairperson, 
member, a committee of the Authority, Director General, or officer or employee of the 
Authority any of its functions and powers, except the power to: 
(a) frame, adapt, amend or repeal regulation; 
(b) approve annual budget of the Authority; 
(c) consider and give decision on the audit reports; 
(d) approve the annual performance report of the Authority;  
(e) approve the standards and procedures for operation  of the 
Authority; 
(f) determine the number of its employees and their terms and 
conditions; and 
(g) fill a vacancy in a committee of the Authority and approve its 
policy decisions.] 
11. Key service provider .– The following persons may, subject to registra tion 
with the Authority, provide services in aid of the marketing of an agricultural produce: 
(a) accreditation bodies or any other entity certifying good 
agricultural practices, geographical origin of an agriculture 
produce or particular kind of a farming method; 
                                                           
29Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.7.  
30Substituted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.8. 
31Substituted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.9. 
(b) graders, polishers or packers  
32
[who work in markets or 
collection centers];  
(c) warehouse operators providing storage and cold chain services; 
(d) transporters 
33
[who provide services to markets or collection 
centers]; and 
(e) quality assayers. 
12. Farmer’s market.– A grower or a grower‟s association may set up a farmer‟s 
market under the name or style of „ apni mandi or kissan bazaar‟ for direct marketing 
of an agricultural produce and for the purpose, no registration shall be required. 
34
[12A. Establishment of Pri vate Market .– (1) Notwithstanding anything contained 
in any other law for the time being in force, after the commencement of the Act, any 
person shall be entitled to establish a private market for the wholesale, sale or 
purchase of agricultural produce in accordance with the provisions of the Act, in such 
manner as may be prescribed.  
 (2) A private market established under the Act shall be regulated in accordance 
with the provisions of the Act and the rules made thereunder from time to time.] 
13. Enlistment of a market worker .– A collection centre, wholesale market  
35
[, 
specialized market] or virtual market shall, having been satisfied of good character of 
a market worker, may enlist him and allow him to work in the center or, as the case 
may be, the market. 
36
[14. Prohibition.– (1) A person shall not set up or operate a collection center, 
wholesale market, specialized market, public market or virtual market or operate as a 
key service provider unless he is registered with the Authority for the purpose. 
(2) No person shall, within the premises of market store, purchase, sell or 
in any other manner deal in any commodity which is not declared as agricultural 
produce.] 
15. Registration.– 
37
[(1) A person desirous to set up and operate a collection 
center, auction ma rket, wholesale market, specialized market or virtual market or 
operate as a key service provider, shall, in the prescribed manner, apply to the 
Authority for registration: 
 provided that each collection center, auction market, specialized market, 
wholesale market or virtual market established in the private sector shall be 
                                                           
32Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing  Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.10.  
33Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), p ublished in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.10. 
34Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.11. 
35Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.12. 
36Substituted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.13.  
37Substituted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Ac t 2020 (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.14. 
governed by a Management Committee having such composition and functions as 
may be prescribed.] 
38
[15A. Establishment of Market Committees .– (1) The Authority shall, by 
notification in th e official Gazette, establish a Market Committee for every Public 
Market and the Authority may entrust the management of more than one market(s) 
to a Market Committee. 
(2) All Market Committees existing immediately before the commencement 
of the Act shall stand dissolved and shall be constituted afresh by the Authority under 
the Act, in such manner, as may be prescribed. 
15B. Composition of Market Committee .– (1) A market committee shall consist 
of the following members: 
(a) two farmers to be nominated by t he concerned Local Government, one 
farmer to be nominated by Deputy Commissioner of the concerned 
district, one farmer of the district to be nominated by the divisional 
chamber of commerce and industry of the division concerned and two 
farmers to be nominated by the Authority: 
 provided that if nomination of any member is delayed by the 
concerned authority, the Authority may appoint a member on interim 
basis; 
(b) two commission agents to be nominated by the concerned Anjuman -
Ahrtian; 
(c) one Pharia to be nominated by the concerned whole-salers association; 
(d) one registered market worker; 
(e) one member from the concerned District Consumer Protection Council; 
(f) one EADA (E&M)/ AO (E&M) of concerned District; 
(g) Secretary Market Committee who shall be the member/ Secretary. 
(2) All Market Committees shall be reconstituted within sixty days of the 
commencement of the Act. 
(3) If any vacancy occurs due to the  death, resignation, transfer or 
retirement or by the r emoval of any member, such vacancy shall be fi lled by the 
Authority in the same manner as the original appointment was made. 
(4) A member of a Market Committee shall hold office for a period of three 
years from the date of his appointment:   
provided that term of office of all members shall expire on the same date 
irrespective of whether he has completed three years or not:  
provided further that a member may not serve for more than two 
consecutive terms.  
                                                           
38Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.15. 
(5) Every market committee shall elect from amongst i ts members a 
Chairman and Vice-Chairman for such term as may be prescribed: 
provided that a member who is not a grower shall not be eligible to be elected 
as Chairman and Vice-Chairman. 
39
[(6) The Chairman and Vice -Chairman shall vacate offices on the expiry of 
their terms and the Government may appoin t an administrator, not below the rank of 
an officer of BS -17, till the time new Chairman and Vice -Chairman are to be elected 
and the administrator shall have the same powers as exercised by the Chairman and 
Vice-Chairman.] 
(7) If in the election of a Chairman or Vice-Chairman there is an equality of 
vote, the result of the election shall be decided by lots to be drawn in the presence of 
the officer presiding in such manner as he may determine. 
(8) Every election of Chairman and Vice -Chairman shall be notif ied by the 
Authority in the official Gazette. 
(9) The election of the new Market Committee shall be regulated in the 
prescribed manner.  
(10) The Government shall not extend term of a Market Committee under 
any circumstances. 
(11) If at any time the Authority is satisfied that a situation has arisen in 
which the purposes of the Act cannot be carried out in accordance with the 
provisions the Act, the Authority  may by notification dissolve the Market Committee 
charting detailed reasons thereof and  declare that the functions of the market 
committee shall, to such extent as may be specified in the notification, be exercised 
by such officer as it may direct: 
provided that a new Committee shall be constituted within forty -five days of 
date of dissolution. 
(12) A member holding office of Chairman or Vice -Chairman, may, at any 
time, tender his resignation, in writing, addressed to the Authority and the office shall 
become vacant on the expiry of fifteen days from the date of such resignation, unless 
within the said pe riod of fifteen days he withdraws the resignation, in writing, 
addressed to the Authority. 
(13) The Chairman and Vice -Chairman shall vacate office if they cease to 
be a member of the Market Committee. 
(14) During the vacancy caused by death, resignation, r emoval or otherwise 
in the office of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman and if the office of Vice-Chairman is 
also vacant then such member of the Market Committee as the Authority may 
appoint, shall exercise the powers and perform the functions of the Chairma n till the 
new Chairman is elected. 
15C. Duties and Powers of Market Committee .– (1) Subject to the provisions of 
the Act, it shall be the duty of a Market Committee: 
                                                           
39Substituted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2024  (V of 2024), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 14 June 2024, pp. 4759-4760, s.4. 
(a) to implement the provisions of the Act, the rules and the by -laws made 
or framed thereunder in the market area;  
(b) to provide such facilities for marketing of agricultural produce as the 
Authority may from time to time direct; 
(c) to do such other acts as may be required in relation to the 
superintendence, direction and control of market  or for regulating 
marketing of agricultural produce in any place in the market area, and 
for the purposes connected with the matters aforesaid, and for that 
purpose may exercise such powers and discharge such functions as 
may be provided by or under the Act; and 
(d) to do all such other acts to bring about complete transparency in 
pricing system and transactions taking place in market area. 
 (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the forgoing provisions, a Market 
Committee may:  
(a) maintain and manage the market yards within the market area; 
(b) provide necessary facilities for the marketing of agricultural produce 
within the market and outside the market and various yards in the 
market area;   
(c) register or refuse registration to market functionarie s and market 
workers, renew, suspend or cancel such registration, supervise the 
conduct of the market functionaries and enforce conditions of 
Registration in the public markets, as may be prescribed, falling under 
its jurisdiction; 
(d) regulate, conduct or  supervise the auction of notified agricultural 
produce in accordance with the provision and procedure laid down 
under the rules or bye-laws made under the Act; 
(e) regulate the making, carrying out and enforcement or cancellation of 
agreements of sales, w eighment, delivery, payment and all other 
matters relating to the market of notified agricultural produce in the 
manner prescribed;  
(f) provide for the settlement of all disputes between the seller and the 
buyer arising out on any kind of transaction conn ected with the 
marketing of notified agricultural produce and all matters ancillary 
thereto;  
(g) take all possible steps to prevent adulteration of notified agricultural 
produce; 
(h) make arrangements for employing by rotation, weigh men and market 
workers for weighing and transporting of goods in respect of 
transactions held in the market yard/ sub yards; 
(i) levy, take, recover and receive rates, charges, fees and other sums of 
money to which the Market Committee is entitled;  
(j) regulate the entry of p ersons and vehicles, traffic into the market yard 
and sub-market area vesting in the Market Committee;  
(k) prosecute persons for violating the provisions of the Act, the rules and 
the bye-laws and compound such offences;  
(l) employ the necessary number o f officers and servants, on contract 
basis, for the efficient implementation of the provisions of the Act, the 
rules and the by-laws;  
(m) institute or defend any suit, prosecution, action, proceeding, application 
or arbitration and compromise such suit, a ction proceeding, application 
or arbitration;  
(n) keep a set of standard weights and measure in each principal market 
yard and sub-market yard against which weighment and measurement 
may be checked;  
(o) inspect and verify scales, weights and measures in use in a market 
area and also the books of accounts and other documents maintained 
by the market functionaries in such manner as may be prescribed; 
(p) ensure payment in respect of transactions which take place in the 
market yard to be made on the same day  to the seller, and in case of 
default,  to seize the agricultural produce in question along with other 
property of the person concerned and to arrange for re -sale thereof 
and in the event of loss, to recover the same from the original buyer 
together with charges for recovery of the losses, if any, from the 
original buyer and effect payment of the price of the agricultural 
produce to the seller; 
(q) recover the charges in respect of weigh men and market worker and 
distribute the same to weigh men and market  worker if not paid by the 
purchaser/seller, as the case may be; 
(r) with the prior sanction of the Authority, undertake the constructions of 
godowns, roads and such other infrastructure, on competitive bidding 
basis as prescribed in the market yard/sub ya rd and market area as 
may be required to facilitate movement of agricultural produce to the 
market for benefit of producer, sellers and traders operating in the 
market area; and 
(s) to promote and undertake agricultural processing including activity for 
value addition in agriculture produce. 
(3) No market functionary, Pharia, Key Service Provider, weigh man, 
measurer, surveyor, warehouseman, changer, palledar, boriotas, tolas, tokrewalas 
and rehriwalas shall, unless duly authorized/ registered, carry on his occupation in a 
public market. 
15D. Grant of Registration .– (1) After the establishment of a market committee, 
no person for himself or on behalf of another person, unless exempted by Rules 
framed under the Act , shall, within the public market, set up, establish or use 
any place for the purchase or sale of the agricultural produce or purchase, sell, 
store or process such agricultural produce except in accordance with the terms and 
conditions of registration granted under the provisions of the Act: 
provided that registration shall not be required by a grower who either 
himself or through a bonafide agent sells his own agricultural produce or the 
produce of his tenant or by a person who purchases any agricultural produce for 
his private or domestic use. 
(2) Subject to such rules as the Government may make in this behalf, 
the Market Committee concerned sh all be the authority to register or renew 
registration of a person or firm involved in sale, purchase, store or processing of 
agricultural produce within the agriculture produce market under the Act; 
(3) Any person who intends to work in public market may apply on the 
prescribed form to the Market Committee concerned for a  registration or for the 
renewal of the registration which shall be granted for such period, in such form, on 
such terms and conditions and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed. 
15E. Market Fee.– A market committee shall levy an ad-valorem fee at a rate that 
may be prescribed on the sale value of  agricultural produce bought or  sold in the 
concerned public market. 
15F. Market Committee Fund.– (1) All moneys received by a market committee in 
the form of fees, taxes or grants made by the Government and income from 
registration fee, fines, or other charges shall  be deposited into a fund to be called the 
Market Committee Fund. 
(2) All expenditure incurred  by a market committee under or for the 
purposes of the Act shall be defrayed out of the said fund and any surplus after 
meeting such expenditure shall be invested in such manner as may be prescribed. 
(3) Every market committee shall, out of its fund, pay to the Agriculture 
Marketing Development Fund maintained by the Authority on such percentage, as 
may be prescribed. 
15G. Purposes for which the funds of Market Committees may be expended .– 
The market committee funds shall be expended for the following purposes only: 
(a) acquisition of land for the establishment of market or markets with the 
approval of the Authority; 
(b) maintenance and improvement of the markets including 
construction of storages, platforms and roads; 
(c) construction and repair of  buildings  which  are  necessary  for  the  
purposes  of establishing such markets and for the health, 
convenience and safety of the persons using them; 
(d) collection  and  dissemination  for  information  regarding  all  
matters  relating  to marketing; 
(e) providing comforts and facilities, such as light, sanitation, shelter, 
shade, parking accommodation and  water for the persons, draught 
cattle, vehicles and pack animals coming to the market and similar 
other purposes; 
(f) provision  of  facilities  such  as  cleaning  sets,  plants  for  grading, 
standardization, packing and processing of agricultural produce; 
(g) construction of cold s torages, warehouses and godowns for the 
benefit of growers; 
(h) provision and maintenance of standard weights and measures; 
(i) pay, leave, compassionate and medical allowances, gratuities, 
pensions, honoraria and  contributions  towards  leave  allowances  or  
provident  fund  of  the  persons employed by market committee; 
(j) payment of interest on loans  that may be raised for purposes of the 
market and the provision of sinking fund in respect of such loans; 
(k) expenses incurred in auditing the account of market committees; 
(l) payment of travelling allowances to the members and employees of 
market committees; 
(m) payment of allowances and honoraria to the Administrator of the 
superseded market committee; 
(n) contribution towards the Agriculture Marketing Development Fund 
subject to rules framed thereunder;  
(o) payment of property tax and house tax; 
(p) payment of other taxes as covered by appropriate Act/Ordinance; 
(q) engagement of lawyer; 
(r) purchase of load carrying vehicles for cleanliness etc. subject to 
previous sanction of the Authority; 
(s) advance of loans on interest to other market committees in the district 
for carrying out de velopment projects, with the previous sanction of 
the Government; 
(t) training of members and staff of market committees; 
(u) purchase/ sale of essential agricultural commodities; and 
(v) any other purpose that may be declared by notification by the 
Government for imp rovement of agriculture and agricultural 
marketing, which is calculated to promote the general interest of the 
farmer and for the conduct of elections of the Market Committee. 
15H. Incorporation of Committee .– Every Market Committee shall be a body 
corporate having such name as the Government may specify in the notification 
establishing it, shall have perpetual succession and a common seal, may sue and 
be sued in its corporate name, and shall be competent to acquire and hold 
property, both moveable and immo vable to lease, sell or otherwise transfer any 
moveable or immovable property which may have become vested in or been 
acquired by it, and to contract and to do all other things necessary for the purpose 
for which it is established: 
provided that no market committee shall permanently transfer any 
immovable property except in pursuance of a resolution passed at a meeting 
specially convened for the purpose by a majority of not less than three -fourth of the 
members of the market committee: 
provided further that  no market committee shall be competent to exercise 
any power with regard to immoveable property without approval or special or 
general directions of the Government or a person authorized by the Government in 
that behalf. 
15I. Power to Borrow .– (1) A Marke t Committee may, with the prior sanction of 
the Government, raise money required for carrying out the purposes for which it is 
established in lieu of the security of any property vested in and belonging to the 
Market Committee and of any fee leviable by the Market Committee under the Act. 
(2) A market committee may, for the purpose of meeting the initial 
expenditure on lands, buildings and equipment required for establishing a market, 
and for the proper discharge of the duties and functions imposed on it by  or under 
this Act, obtain a loan from the Government or from any other market committee on 
such conditions, and subject to such rules as may be prescribed. 
15J. Acquisition of Land.– Where any land is required by a market committee for 
carrying out any of its functions under the Act, it shall obtain the prior approval of the 
Government before approaching the Collector of the district concerned under the 
Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (I of 1894). 
15K. Reporting.– Each market committee of public market and Mana gement 
Committee of private market shall prepare an annual report, setting out in 
reasonable details, the development and performance of the wholesale markets for 
agricultural produce. 
15L. Market Information System .– The Authority shall, not later than fo ur months from 
the date of commencement of the Act, establish or cause to be established an online 
information system providing information on the wholesale supply, demand, and prices of 
agricultural produce bought or sold in the Punjab, against payment of  fee and such other 
information, as may be prescribed.] 
16. Cancellation of Registration.– (1) The Director General may, after affording 
an opportunity of hearing, cancel the registration certificate, 
40
[of a private wholesale 
market, specialized market, au ction market, collection center or virtual market ], for 
one or more of the following grounds: 
(a) misrepresentation, fraud or forgery committed in regard to the 
registration; 
(b) use of centre or, as the case may be, the market for activities outside 
and beyond the terms of registration; 
(c) willful failure to: 
(i) keep the centre or, as the case may be, the market clean and 
hygienic; 
(ii) prevent and control malpractice; 
(iii) make payment to a grower for his agricultural produce; 
(iv) prevent auction of a n agricultural produce in a transparent 
manner; 
(v) prevent unauthorized trade allowance; 
                                                           
40Substituted for the expression “ other than that of the key service provider ” by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory 
Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 
3829-3841, s.16. 
(vi) display remuneration or wages  payable to a market worker;  
(d) willful default in payment of fees or other dues payable under the Act or 
the rules; 
(e) serious and continuance violation of the terms of registration; 
(f) violation of the provisions of the Act or the rules or the regulations; and 
(g) such other grounds as may be prescribed. 
 (2) The Director General may, after affording an opportunity of hearing, 
may cancel the registration of a key service provider on one or more of the following 
grounds: 
(a) misrepresentation, fraud or forgery committed with regard to 
registration; 
(b) misconduct in service delivery; 
(c) breach of terms of the registration; 
(d) violation of the provisions of the Act or the rules or the regulations; 
(e) conviction of an offence involving moral turpitude; 
(f) willful default in payment of fees or other dues payable under the Act or 
the rules or the regulations; and 
(g) such other grounds as may be prescribed. 
 
41
[(3) The Market Committee, after affording an opportunity of hearing, may 
cancel the registration of market functionary, Pharia/wholesaler, weigh man, 
measurer, surveyor, warehouseman, changer, palledar, boriotas, tolas, tokrewalas 
and rehriwalas on one or more of the following grounds:  
(a) misrepresentation, fraud or forgery committed in regard to registration; 
(b) misconduct in service delivery; 
(c) breach of terms of the registration; 
(d) violation of the provisions of the Act or the rules or the regulations; 
(e) conviction of an offence involving moral turpitude; 
(f) willful default in payment of fees or other dues payable under the Act or 
rules or the regulations; and 
(g) such other grounds as may be prescribed.] 
17. Suspension of Registration .– (1) If the Authority is satisfied that, pending 
proceedings for the cancellation of the registration, it is necessary to suspend the 
registration, it may suspend the registration for such period as it may deem 
necessary. 
                                                           
41Added by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020 (III of 2020), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.16. 
(2) The collection centre, wholesale market, 
42
[specialized market, auction 
market,] virtual market and key service provider shall cease to operate and carry out 
its activities during the period the registration is suspended. 
18. Directions by the Government .– The Gove rnment may issue such 
directions to the Authority as it may consider necessary for carrying out the purposes 
of the Act, and the Authority shall comply with such directions. 
43
[19. Agricultural Marketing Development Fund .– (1) The Market Committee 
Provincial Fund Board established under section 20 of Punjab Agricultural Produce 
Markets Ordinance 1978 (XXIII of 1978) shall hereinafter be renamed as Agricultural 
Marketing Development Fund established under the Act. 
  (2) The Fund shall consist of: 
 (a) funds provided by the Government; 
 (b) loans or grants by the Government; 
(c) grants and loans negotiated and raised, or otherwise obtained, 
by the Authority with the prior approval of the Government; 
(d) fee, charges, rentals, fines and other moneys  collected b y the 
Authority;  
 (e) income from the lease or sale of the property;  
(f) funds from floating bonds, shares, debentures, certificates, or 
other securities issued by the Authority with the approval of the 
Government; 
(g) contributions received from Market Committees and 
Management Committees; and  
 (h) all other sums received by the Authority. 
(3) The balances in the Market Committee Provincial Fund, on the date of 
enforcement of the Act, shall stand transferred to Agriculture Marketing Development 
Fund. 
 (4) The Authority shall manage the Fund for the purpose of development of 
Agriculture Marketing as may be prescribed. 
 (5) The Authority shall meet all its expenses from the Fund and shall exercise 
prudence in its expenditures from the Fund.] 
44
[19A. Agribusiness Market Fee.– (1) The Authority may levy an ad-valorem fee on 
agricultural produce purchased for agribusiness as may be prescribed. 
(2)  The agribusiness market fee shall be deposited in the Fund.] 
                                                           
42Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Auth ority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.17. 
43Substituted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in th e 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.18. 
44Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.19. 
45
[20. Bank account .– (1) The Authority may open and ma intain its accounts at 
such scheduled banks as may be prescribed, and until so prescribed, as the 
Authority may determine with the approval of the Finance Department, Government 
of the Punjab. 
(2) A Market Committee may open and maintain its accounts in su ch 
scheduled bank as the authority may approve or as may be prescribed by rules. 
46
[21. Budget.– (1) The Director General shall prepare the budget of the Authority 
for each financial year commencing on first day of July of a year and ending on 
thirtieth day  of June of the succeeding year showing the estimated receipts, 
recurrent expenditure, and development expenditure of the Authority. 
(2) The Director General shall place the budget for approval before the 
Authority at least forty-five days prior to the commencement of a financial year. 
(3) The Authority shall approve the budget with or without modifications 
before 30th of June every year. 
(4) Each Market Committee shall prepare the budget for each financial 
year commencing on first day of July of an year an d ending on thirtieth day of June 
of the succeeding year showing the estimated receipts, recurrent expenditure, and 
development expenditure of the Market Committee or in such form and manner as 
may be prescribed and shall submit it forty five days prior to  the commencement of a 
financial year to the Authority for approval.   
(5) The accounts of the Authority and Market Committees shall be 
maintained in such manner as may be prescribed. 
(6) Each Market shall be operated by its Market Committee in such manner  and 
shall ensure that such market are financially solvent.] 
47
[22. Audit.– (1) The Auditor General of Pakistan shall conduct audit of the 
accounts of the Authority. 
(2) The Authority shall also make such arrangements for pre -audit or 
concurrent audit of accounts as may be necessary. 
(3) The account of the Market Committees shall be audited by a 
Government audit agency or a firm of chartered accountants authorized by the 
Authority in such manner as may be prescribed.] 
23. Malpractice.– A collection centre, wholesale market 
48
[virtual market or 
auction market] shall immediately remove from the list a market worker for reason of 
                                                           
45Substituted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.20. 
46Substituted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.21. 
47Substituted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.22. 
48Substituted for the words “or virtual market” by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020 
(III of 2020), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.23. 
malpractice, and such a worker shall not operate in a collection centre, wholesale 
market 
49
[virtual market or auction market]. 
50
[24. Appeal.– (1) Any person aggrieved by the decision or order of the Director 
General refusing, cancelling or suspending the registration or renewal of registration, 
may prefer an appeal to the Authority in the prescribed form and manner. 
 (2) An appeal shall l ie to the Secretary Agriculture against an order of the 
Authority confirming, modifying or reversing the decision or order of the Director 
General as the case may be. 
(3) Any person aggrieved by the decision or order of the Market 
Committee may prefer an appeal to the Director of Agriculture (E&M), Punjab. 
(4) An appeal shall lie to the Special Secretary, Agriculture Marketing 
against an order of the Director of Agriculture (E&M), Punjab confirming, modifying 
or reversing the decision or order of the Market Committee.] 
51
[25.Penalties.– (1) Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 14, 16, 17 or 23 
shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to six months but which shall 
not be less than one week and with fine which may extend to five hundred tho usand 
rupees but which shall not be less than one hundred thousand rupees. 
(2) Whoever continues to contravene the provisions of section  14 shall, in 
addition to the fine under subsection (1), be punished with further fine of rupees fifty 
thousand per day for the period of contravention. 
(3) Whoever contravenes any provisions of the Act, the rules or 
regulations, for which no other punishment is provided, shall be punished with 
imprisonment which may extend to one month or with fine which may extend to fift y 
thousand rupees or with both. 
(4)  Any person working as a market functionary in Public Market in 
contravention of the provisions of the Act, rules and regulations shall, on conviction 
by a court be liable to imprisonment which may extend to six months b ut which shall 
not be less than one week and with fine which may extend to rupees five hundred 
thousand but which shall not be less than rupees one hundred thousand. 
(5)  Any person who encroaches upon any property belonging to a Market 
Committee shall, on conviction by a court be liable to imprisonment up to one year or 
to fine which may extend to rupees five hundred thousand but which shall not be less 
than rupees one hundred thousand or both. 
(6) Every person shall be liable for the loss, waste or mis-application of 
any money or property belonging to a market committee, if such loss, waste or 
mis-application is proved to the satisfaction of the Special Secretary Agriculture 
Marketing or any other officer specially empowered in this behalf by the 
Government.] 
                                                           
49Substituted for the words “or virtual market” by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020 
(III of 2020), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.23. 
50Substituted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.24. 
51Substituted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.25. 
26. Cognizance of offence .– (1) An offence under the Act, the rules or the 
regulations shall be non-cognizable and bailable. 
(2)  A Magistrate of the First Class shall summarily try an offence under the 
Act in accordance with the provisions of Chapter XXII of the Code of Criminal 
Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898) on a complaint instituted by a person duly authorized by 
the Authority 
52
[or market committee]. 
27. Recovery of dues .– All sums due to the Authority  
53
[or market committee ] 
under the Act, may be recovered as arrears of land revenue. 
28. Marketing disputes.– (1) All disputes between sellers and buyers arising in a 
wholesale market and relating to an agricultural produce shall be referred to an 
agricultural marketing expert from a panel constituted by the  Authority in the 
prescribed manner.   
(2) The expert shall decide the dispute in such manner and within 
54
[such] 
time as may be prescribed.  
(3) Any person aggrieved by the orders of the expert may, within thirty 
days of the order, prefer an appeal, on a p oint of law, before the District Judge who 
shall dispose of the appeal within three months. 
55
[28A. Inspection .– (1) The Authority may, with or without prior notice, inspect a 
notified market that has been transferred to a market company or any market to 
ensure that the same are established and operated in accordance with all applicable 
laws, rules and regulations.  
(2) The Authority may take appropriate corrective measures to ensure 
compliance of the Act, the rules and the regulations made or framed thereunder.] 
56
[29. Rules.– The Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, make 
rules for carrying out the purposes of the Act, which may provide for: 
(a) regulation of whole -sale markets, virtual markets, specialized markets 
and collection centers; 
(b) infrastructure standards, equipment and requirements for general, 
private and specialized markets; 
(c) place or places at which agricultural produce shall be weighed, the 
description of scales, weights and measures; 
(d) reliable grading, standardizatio n and processing equipment and 
standards;  
                                                           
52Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.26. 
53Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in t he 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.27. 
54Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.28. 
55Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.29. 
56Substituted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.30. 
(e) inspection, verification, regulation, correction and confiscation of 
scales, weights and measures in use; and  
(f) transparent and reliable auctions and financial.] 
30. Regulations.– (1) Subject to the Act and  the rules, the Authority may frame 
regulations to carry out its functions under the Act. 
 (2) The Government may direct the Authority to modify or omit any 
regulation which, in its opinion, is repugnant to the provisions of the Act or the rules 
or which is against public policy and the Authority shall comply with the directions. 
57
[30A. Bye-laws.– A Market Committee may frame bye -laws for the management 
and operation of its Public Market with the approval of the Authority.] 
31. Act to have overriding effect .– The provisions of the Act shall have effect 
notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Punjab Agricultural 
Produce Market Ordinance, 1978 (XXIII of 1978). 
32. Removal of difficulties .– If any difficulty arises in the application of the Ac t, 
the Government may, within one year of the commencement of the Act and on the 
recommendations of the Authority or on its own motion, take such action or pass 
such order as it may consider necessary for the removal of such difficulty. 
58
[33. Repeal and sa vings.– (1) The Punjab Agricultural Produce Market 
Ordinance, 1978 (XXIII of 1978) is hereby repealed. 
(2) Notwithstanding the repeal of the enactment specified in sub-section 
(1), everything done, action taken, obligation, li ability, penalty or  punishment 
incurred, registration, inquiry or proceeding commenced, committee constituted or 
person appointed or authorized, jurisdiction or power conferred, rule or bye-law 
made and order or notification issued under any of the provisions of the said 
enactment, shall, if not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, be continued and 
so far as may be deemed to have been respectively done, taken, in curred, 
commenced appointed, authorized, conferred, made or issued under this Act. 
                                                           
57Inserted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 20 20), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.31. 
58Substituted by the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act 2020  (III of 2020), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 19 March 2020, pp. 3829-3841, s.32.