TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA PART-II, SECTION 3,

(PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA PART-II, SECTION 3, SUB-SECTION (i))

Appearing on page nos. 32–46

Dated 5-1-2002

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND COOPERATION

New Delhi, dated 12^th December, 2001.

Notification

G.S.R. 3, Whereas the draft of the Cereals Grading and Marking

Rules, 2000 were published, as required by section 3 of the Agricultural

Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 (1 of 1937) under the notification

of the Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of

Agriculture and Cooperation vide No.G.S.R. 135 dated the 31st March, 2000,

in the Gazette of India, Part II, section-3, sub section (i) dated the 15th

April, 2000 inviting objections and suggestions from all the persons likely

to be affected thereby, before expiry of the period of forty-five days from

the date on which copies of the Gazette containing the said notification

are made available to the public;

And whereas, the said Gazette was made available to the public on

19th April, 2000;

And whereas, the objections/suggestions received from the public in

respect of the said draft rules have been considered by the Central

Government;

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of

the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 and in

supersession of Cereals Grading Rules, 1966 except as respects of the

things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central

Government hereby makes the following Rules, namely:-

RULES

1. Short title, application and commencement.-

(i) These rules may be called the Cereals Grading and Marking

Rules, 2001.

(ii) They shall apply to Ragi (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn), Jowar

(Sorghum vulgare Pers), Maize (Zeamays L.), Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.

or Hordeum distichon.) and Bajra (Pennisetum typhoideum Rich)

(iii) They shall come into force from the date of their publication

in the Official Gazette.

2. Definitions:-

(a) "Agricultural Marketing Adviser" means the Agricultural

Marketing Adviser to the Government of India.

(b) "Authorised packer" means a person or a body of persons who has

been granted a certificate of authorisation to grade and mark cereals in

accordance with the grade standards and procedure prescribed under these

rules;

the provisions of the General Grading and Marking Rules, 1988 authorising a

person or a body of persons to grade and mark cereals with

the grade designation mark;

(d) "General Grading and Marking Rules" means the General Grading

and Marking Rules, 1988 made under section 3 of the Agricultural Produce

(Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 (1 of 1937);

(e) "Grade designation mark" means the Agmark label referred to in

sub-rule (i) of rule 5 or the Agmark replica referred to in sub-rule(ii) of

rule 5 as the case may be;

(f) "Schedule" means a Schedule appended to these rules.

3. Grade designations:- For the purpose of these rules the grade

designations shall be the names of the grades which indicate the quality of

cereals as given under column 1 of Schedule-II, III, IV, V,VI and VII.

4. Definition of quality:- For the purpose of these rules, the

definition of quality of cereals shall be as such as given against each

grade designation from column 2 to 9 of Schedule-II,III, IV, VI, VII and

column 2 to 10 of Schedule V respectively.

5. Grade designation mark:- The grade designation mark shall

consist of-

(i) A label specifying name of commodity, grade designation and

bearing a design consisting of an outline map of India with the word

"AGMARK" and the figure of the rising sun and resembling the design as set

out in Schedule-I, or

(ii) "AGMARK Replica" consisting of a design incorporating the

number of certificate of authorisation, the word "AGMARK", name of

commodity and grade designation resembling the design as set out in

Schedule-I.A.

Provided that the use of Agmark replica in lieu of Agmark labels

shall be allowed only to such authorised packers who have been granted

permission by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or an officer authorised

by him in this regard and subject to the conditions as prescribed under the

General Grading and Marking Rules, 1988.

6. Method of packing:-

(i) Cereals shall be packed in gunny bags, jute bags, poly woven

bags, poly pouches, cloth bags or other suitable packages which shall be

clean, sound, and free from insect/fungal infestation and the packing

material shall be as permitted under the Prevention of Food Adulteration

Rules, 1955.

(ii) The net weight of Cereals in a package shall be, as prescribed

by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser from time to time as per the Packaged

Commodities Rules, 1977.

(iii) Each package shall contain Cereals of the same type and of

the same grade designation.

(iv) Each package shall be securely closed and sealed.

7. Method of Marking:-

(1) The grade designation mark shall be securely affixed to or

printed on each package in a manner approved by the Agricultural Marketing

Adviser or an officer authorised by him in this behalf in accordance with

Rule 11 of the General Grading and Marking Rules, 1988.

(ii) In addition to the grade designation mark, following

particulars shall be clearly and indelibly marked on each label or

package:-

a) Name and address of the packer;

b) Place of packing;

c) Date of packing;

d) Crop year/season;*

e) Lot/batch number;

f) Net weight;

g) Grade;

h) Maximum retail Price inclusive of all taxes;

i) Best before___________month______year.

* In case of jowar only.

(iii) The ink used for marking shall be of such quality which may

not contaminate the product.

(iv) The authorised packer, may, after obtaining prior approval of

the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or an officer authorised by him in this

behalf, mark his private trade mark or trade brand on the graded packages

provided that the same do not indicate quality other than that indicating

by the grade designation mark affixed to the graded packages in accordance

with these rules.

8. Special conditons of certificate of authorisation: In addition

to the conditions specified under the sub-rule (8) of the rule 3 of the

General Grading and Marking Rules, 1988. The following shall be the

special conditions of every certificate of authorisation issued for the

purpose of these rules.

(i) The authorised packer shall either set up his own laboratory

for have access to an approved grading laboratory for testing of cereals.

(ii) The premises shall be maintained in clean, hygienic conditions

and all the operatives shall be in sound health and free from any

infectious, contagious or communicable diseases;

(iii) The premises shall have adequate storage facility and free

from rodent and insect infestation ;

(iv) The authorised packer shall observe all instructions regarding

testing, grading, packing, marking, sealing and maintenance of records

which may be issued from time to time by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser

or any other officer authorised by him in this behalf.

SCHEDULE-I

(See rule 5 (i) )

(Design on Agmark label)

SCHEDULE-I (A)

(See Rules 5 (ii))

Grade designation mark

(DESIGN OF AGMARK REPLICA)

NAME OF COMMODITY-----------

GRADE-------------------

SCHEDULE-II

(See Rules 3 and 4)

Grade designation and definition of quality of Ragi

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grade Definition of quality

Designation ---------------------------------------------------------------------

Special requirements

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Maximum limit of tolerance (per cent by weight

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Moisture Foreign matter Other Damaged Immature Weevilled

------------------ edible grains Shrivelled grains

Organic Inorganic grains grains

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grade - I 12.0 0.10 Nil 1.0 1.0 2.0 0.1

Grade – II 12.0 0.25 0.10 1.5 2.0 3.0 0.2

Grade – III 14.0 0.50 0.25 2.0 3.0 4.0 0.3

Grade – IV 14.0 0.75 0.25 4.0 5.0 4.0 0.5

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

General requirements

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ragi shall-

a) be the dried mature grains of Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn;

b) be sweet, hard, clean, wholesome, uniform in size, shape, colour and in sound merchantable condition;

c) be free from added colouring matter, moulds,weevils, obnoxious substances, discolouration, poisonous seeds and all other impurities except to the extent indicated in the schedule;

d) Uric acid and aflatoxin shall not exceed 100 miligrams and 30 micrograms per kilogram respectively;

e) be free from rodent hair and excreta;

f) Comply with the restrictions in regard to pesticides/insecticides residue (Rule 65), poisonous metals (rule 57), naturally occuring toxic substances (rule 57-B) and other provisions prescribed under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955 and as amended from time to time.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note : In foreign matter, the impurities of animal origin shall not be more than 0.10 per cent by weight.

SCHEDULE-III

(See Rules 3 and 4)

Grade designation and definition of quality of Rabi Jowar

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grade Defintion of quality

designation-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Special requirements

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Maximum limits of tolerance (per cent by weight)

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Moisture Foreign matter Other Damaged Immature Weevilled

-------------------- edible grains and grains

Organic Inorganic grains Shrivelled

grains

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grade-I 12.00 0.10 Nil 1.00 1.00 2.0 0.5

Grade-II 12.00 0.25 0.10 1.50 2.00 4.0 1.0

Grade-III 14.00 0.50 0.25 2.00 3.00 6.0 2.0

Grade-IV 14.00 0.75 0.25 4.00 5.00 8.0 6.0

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

General requirements

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jowar shall-

a) be the dried mature grains of Sorghum vulgare pers raised in the Rabi season;

b) be sweet, hard, clean, wholesome, uniform in size, shape, colour and in sound merchantable condition

c) be free from added colouring matter, moulds,weevils, obnoxious substances, discolouration, poisonous seeds and all other impurities except to the extent indicated in the schedule;

d) Uric acid and aflatoxin shall not exceed 100 miligrams and 30 micrograms per kilogram respectively;

e) be free from rodent hair and excreta;

f) Comply with the restrictions in regard to pesticides/insecticides residue (Rule 65), poisonous metals(Rule 57), naturally occuring toxic substances (Rule 57-B) and other provisions prescribed under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955 and as amended from time to time.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note : (i) In foreign matter, the impurities of animal origin shall not be more than 0.10 per cent by weight.

(ii) Ergot affected grains shall not exceed 0.05 per cent by weight in damaged grains.

SCHEDULE-IV

(See Rules 3 and 4)

Grade designation and definition of quality of Kharif jowar

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grade Defintion of quality

designation-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Special requirements

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Maximum limits of tolerance (per cent by weight)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Moisture Foreign matter other Damaged Immature Weevilled

---------------- edible grains and grains

Organic Inorgnic grains Shrivelled

Grains

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grade-I 12.00 0.10 Nil 0.50 1.50 1.0 1.0

Grade-II 12.00 0.25 0.10 1.00 3.00 2.0 2.5

Grade-III 14.00 0.50 0.25 2.00 4.50 5.0 4.0

Grade-IV 14.00 0.75 0.25 3.00 6.00 8.0 6.0

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

General requirements

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jowar shall-

a) be the dried mature grains of Sorghum vulgare pers raised in the kharif season;

b) be sweet, hard, clean, wholesome, uniform in size, shape, colour and in sound merchantable condition;

c) be free from added colouring matter, moulds,weevils, obnoxious substances, discolouration, poisonous seeds and all other impurities except to the extent indicated in the schedule;

d) Uric acid and aflatoxin shall not exceed 100 miligrams and 30 micrograms per kilogram respectively;

e) be free from rodent hair and excreta;

f) Comply with the restrictions in regard to pesticides/insecticides residue (Rule 65), poisonous metals (Rule 57), naturally occuring toxic substances (Rule 57-B) and other provisions prescribed under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955 and as amended from time to time.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note (i) In foreign matter, the impurities of animal origin shall not be more than 0.10 per cent by weight.

(ii) Ergot affected grains shall not exceed 0.05 per cent by weight in damaged grains.

SCHEDULE- V

(See Rules 3 and 4)

Grade designation and definition of quality of Maize

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grade Defintion of quality

designation-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Special requirements

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Maximum limits of tolerance (per cent by weight)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Moisture Foreign matter other Admixture Damaged Immature Weevilled

----------------- edible of grains and grains

Organic Inorganic grains different Shrivelled (per

varieties grains cent by

Count)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grade-I 12.00 0.10 Nil 0.50 5.00 1.00 2.0 2.0

Grade-II 12.00 0.25 0.1 1.00 10.00 2.00 4.0 4.0

Grade-III 14.00 0.50 0.25 2.00 15.00 3.00 6.0 6.0

Grade-IV 14.00 0.75 0.25 3.00 15.00 4.00 6.0 8.0

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

General requirements

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maize shall-

a) be the dried mature grains of Zea mays L.;

b) be sweet, hard, clean, wholesome, uniform in size, shape, colour and in sound merchantable condition;

c) be free from added colouring matter, moulds,weevils, obnoxious substances, discolouration, poisonous seeds and all other impurities except to the extent indicated in the schedule;

d) Uric acid and aflatoxin shall not exceed 100 miligrams and 30 micrograms per kilogram respectively;

e) be free from rodent hair and excreta;

f) Comply with the restrictions in regard to pesticides/insecticides residue (Rule 65), poisonous metals (Rule 57),naturally occuring toxic substances (Rule 57-B) and other provisions prescribed under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955 and as amended from time to time.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note : (i) In foreign matter, the impurities of animal origin shall not be more than 0.10 per cent by weight.

SCHEDULE-VI

(See Rules 3 and 4)

Grade designation and definition of quality of Barley

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grade Defintion of quality

designation-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Special requirements

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Maximum limits of tolerance (per cent by weight)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Moisture Foreign matter other Damaged Immature Weevilled

---------------- edible grains and grains

Organic Inorgnic grains Shrivelled

Grains

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grade-I 12.00 0.10 Nil 0.50 1.00 2.0 0.5

Grade-II 12.00 0.25 0.10 0.50 2.00 4.0 2.0

Grade-III 14.00 0.50 0.25 1.00 3.00 6.0 4.0

Grade-IV 14.00 0.75 0.25 1.00 4.00 6.0 8.0

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

General requirements

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Barley shall-

a) be the dried mature grains of Hordeum vulgare L. or Hordeum distichon;

b) be sweet, hard, clean, wholesome, uniform in size, shape, colour and in sound merchantable condition;

c) be free from added colouring matter, moulds,weevils, obnoxious substances, discolouration, poisonous seeds and all other impurities except to the extent indicated in the schedule;

d) Uric acid and aflatoxin shall not exceed 100 miligrams and 30 micrograms per kilogram respectively;

e) be free from rodent hair and excreta;

f) Comply with the restrictions in regard to pesticides/insecticides residue (Rule 65), poisonous metals (Rule 57), naturally occuring toxic substances (Rule 57-B) and other provisions prescribed under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955 and as amended from time to time.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note : (i) In foreign matter, the impurities of animal origin shall not be more than 0.10 per cent by weight.

SCHEDULE-VII

(See Rules 3 and 4)

Grade designation and definition of quality of Bajra

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grade Defintion of quality

designation-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Special requirements

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Maximum limits of tolerance (per cent by weight)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Moisture Foreign matter other Damaged Immature Weevilled

---------------- edible grains and grains

Organic Inorgnic grains Shrivelled

Grains

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grade-I 12.0 0.10 Nil 1.0 0.5 1.5 1.0

Grade-II 12.0 0.25 0.10 2.0 1.0 3.0 2.5

Grade-III 14.0 0.50 0.25 2.5 2.0 5.0 4.0

Grade-IV 14.0 0.75 0.25 3.0 4.0 8.0 6.0

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

General requirements

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bajra shall-

a) be the dried mature grains of Pennisetum typhoideum Rich;

b) be sweet, hard, clean, wholesome, uniform in size, shape, colour and in sound merchantable condition;

c) be free from added colouring matter, moulds,weevils, obnoxious substances, discoluration, poisonous seeds and all other impurities except to the extent indicated in the schedule;

d) Uric acid and aflatoxin shall not exceed 100 miligrams and 30 micrograms per kilogram respectively;

e) be free from rodent hair and excreta;

f) Comply with the restrictions in regard to pesticides/insecticides residue (Rule 65), poisonous metals (Rule 57), naturally occuring toxic substances (Rule 57-B) and other provisions prescribed under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955 and as amended from time to time.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note : (i) In foreign matter, the impurities of animal origin shall not be more than 0.10 per cent by weight.

(ii) Ergot affected grains shall not exceed 0.05 per cent by weight in damaged grains.

Definitions:-

(1) "Foreign matter" means any extraneous matter than other food grains comprising of

(a) "Inorganic matter" includes metallic pieces, dust, sand, gravel, stones, dirt, pebbles, lumps or earth, clay, mud and animal filth etc;

(b) "Organic matter" consisting of husk, straws, weeds and other inedible grains etc.

(2) "Other Edible grains" means any edible grains (including oil seeds) other than the one which is under consideration;

(3) "Damaged grains" means grains that are sprouted or internally damaged as a result of heat, microbe, moisture or weather viz., ergot affected grains and karnal bunt grains;

(4) "Immature and shrivelled grains" means grains that are not properly developed;

(5) "Weevilled grains" means grains that are partially or wholly bored by insects injurious to grains but does not include germ eaten grains and egg spotted grains.

(6) “Poisonous, toxic and/or harmful seeds” means any seed which if present in quantities above permissible limit may have damaging or dangerous effect on health, organoleptic properties or technological performance such as dhatura (D.fastuosa linn and D. stramonium linn.) corn cokle (Agrostemma githago L. Machai Lallium remulenum linn.) Akra (Vicia species).

(F.No.18011/2/98/M-II)

(P.K.AGARWAL)

Joint Secretary (Agricultural Marketing)