The Cardamom Act, 1965

Summary of the Cardamom Act, 1965
The Cardamom Act, 1965 was enacted to regulate and promote the cultivation, production, processing, quality improvement, and marketing of cardamom in India. The Act provided for the establishment of the Cardamom Board, which was responsible for the development of the cardamom industry, improving production standards, promoting exports, supporting research, and protecting the interests of cardamom growers. The Act aimed to strengthen India's position as a leading producer and exporter of cardamom.
Note: The Cardamom Board was subsequently merged into the Spices Board under the Spices Board Act, 1986, and the Cardamom Act, 1965 was repealed.
Objective
The main objectives of the Act are:
• To regulate the development of the cardamom industry.
• To promote scientific cultivation and increase the production of quality cardamom.
• To improve processing, grading, and marketing practices.
• To encourage the export of Indian cardamom.
• To establish a statutory authority for the development and regulation of the cardamom sector.
• To safeguard the interests of cardamom growers and traders.
Key Provisions
1. Establishment of the Cardamom Board
o The Act provided for the constitution of the Cardamom Board to oversee the development and regulation of the cardamom industry.
2. Functions of the Board
o The Board was entrusted with promoting cultivation, conducting research, improving quality, collecting industry statistics, providing technical assistance, and encouraging exports.
3. Registration of Growers and Dealers
o The Act empowered the Board to maintain records and regulate registered growers, dealers, and exporters involved in the cardamom trade.

4. Development Programmes
o The Board could implement schemes for improving cultivation techniques, pest and disease control, irrigation, and post-harvest management.
5. Financial Powers
o The Board was authorized to receive grants from the Central Government and utilize funds for the development of the cardamom industry.
6. Inspection and Enforcement
o The Act empowered authorized officers to inspect records and ensure compliance with the provisions of the Act and the rules made thereunder.
7. Rule-Making Powers
o The Central Government was empowered to make rules for carrying out the purposes of the Act.

Legislative History:

The Cardamom Act, 1965

● Act Title - The Cardamom Act, 1965

● Act Number / Year - 42 of 1965

● Act ID (India Code) - 196542

● Presidential Assent Date - December 9, 1965

● Enforcement Date - April 5, 1966

● Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Precedent & Historical Rationale

● Centralized Industry Development - Enacted to declare the expediency of Union control over the cardamom industry to ensure systematic development, production quality, and yield optimization across major growing regions.

● Export Promotion & Trade Regulation - Formulated to establish a centralized body—the Cardamom Board—tasked with regulating the marketing, export, and domestic sale of cardamom, ensuring standardized grading, and safeguarding economic returns for spice growers.

Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment

● Formulation - Introduced by the Ministry of Commerce to address fragmented cultivation practices and structure the export economy surrounding the Indian cardamom industry.

● Parliamentary Passage - Debated and passed by both Houses of Parliament (Third Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) during the 1965 winter session.

● Presidential Assent - Received Presidential Assent on December 9, 1965.

● Enforcement - Enforced on April 5, 1966

Source - Official Record of Parliament, India Code, and Ministry of Commerce and Industry..