Low of Textiles in India

After the announcement of the Textile Policy in June, 1985, there has been considerable changes in the law relating to textiles. The Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951 continue to be the foundation of the legislation relating to tex tiles. However, after nationalisation of sick textile units in the country, a number of Acts have been passed by the Parliament. It was, therefore, nece ssary to bring out up-to-date volume on the subject for the guidance of industries/and the officers dealing with the subject.

The India (Central Government and Legislature) Act, 1946 (9 and 10 Geo.6, Ch.39) for the first time enabled the Indian legislature to continue in force legislation relating to control over the essential commodities enumerat ed therein. Section 2 of the Act invested the Indian legislature with neces sary powers to legislate on matters relating to control, etc. for a period of one year w.e.f. 1st April, 1946. The Essential Supplies (Temporary Powers) Ordinance, 1946 was promulgated on the 1st October, 1946 and was follow ed by the Essential Supplies (Temporary Powers) Act, 1946 on the 7th December, 1946. The Cotton Textiles Control Order (1948) was promulgat ed by the Central Government on 2nd August, 1948 under section 3 of the Essential Supplies (Temporary Powers) Act, 1946.

The validity of the India (Central Government and Legislative) Act, 1946 was extended by another year by a notification of the Legislative Department on 3rd March, 1947. The period was subsequently extended by another year i.e., upto the 1st April, 1949 by a Resolution of the Consti tuent Assembly of India (Legislative) No.7 WL(i)/47 dated the 3rd March, 1948. The validity was further extended to 1st April, 1950 by the Ministry of Law Resolution No.F-WL-(i)/47 dated 25th March, 1949. Thereafter Article 369 of the Constitution gave it further lease of life for a period of five years from the commencement of the Constitution (i.e., upto the 25th January, 1955) to enactments such as the Essential Supplies (Temporary Powers) Act, 1946 covering commodities enumerated in the said Article.