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Particulars of its Organisation, functions and duties

Last updated on 20-01-2015, 16:39 HRS

Constitution of the Board

The Board consists of 32 Members who include:

  1. Chairman
  2. a)  Secretary
  3. b) Three members of Parliament of whom two shall be elected by the House of the People and one by the Council of States
  4. c) Three members to represent the Ministries of the Central Government dealing with: -
    1. i) Commerce;
    2. ii) Agriculture; and
    3. iii) Finance;
  5. d) Six members to represent the growers of spices;
  6. e) Ten members to represent the exporters of spices;
  7. f) Three members to represent major spice producing States
  8. g) Four members one each to represent:-
    1. i) The Planning Commission;
    2. ii) The Indian Institute of Packaging, Bombay;
    3. iii) The Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore;
    4. iv) Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut;
  9. h) One member to represent spices labour interests.

The Board has three statutory committees as under:

  1. Executive Committee
  2. Research & Development Committee for Cardamom
  3. Market Development Committee for Spices

Functions of the Board

The Spices Board Act, 1986, has assigned the following functions to the Spices Board:

The Board may-

  1. Develop, promote and regulate export of spices;
  2. Grant certificate for export of spices;
  3. Undertake programmes and projects for promotion of export of spices;
  4. Assist and encourage studies and research, for improvement of processing, quality techniques of grading and packaging of spices;
  5. Strive towards stabilization of prices of spices for export;
  6. Evolve suitable quality standards and introduce certification of quality through “Quality Marking” of spices for export;
  7. Control quality of spices for export;
  8. Give licenses, subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed, to the manufacturers of spices for export;
  9. Market any spice, if it considers necessary in the interest of promotion of export;
  10. Provide warehousing facilities abroad for spices;
  11. Collect statistics with regard to spices for compilation and publication;
  12. Import with prior approval of the Central Government any spice for sale; and
  13. Advice the Central Government on matters relating to import and export of spices.

The Board may also-

  1. Promote co-operative effort among growers of cardamom;
  2. Ensure remunerative returns to growers of cardamom;
  3. Provide financial or other assistance for improved methods of cultivation and processing of cardamom, for replanting cardamom and for extension of cardamom growing areas;
  4. Regulate the sale of cardamom and stabilization of the prices of cardamom;
  5. Provide training in cardamom testing and fixing grade standards of cardamom;
  6. Increase the consumption of cardamom and carry on propaganda for that purpose;
  7. Register and license brokers (including auctioneers) of cardamom and persons engaged in the business of cardamom;
  8. Improve the marketing of cardamom;
  9. Collect statistics from growers, dealers and such other persons as may be prescribed on any matter relating to the cardamom industry, publish statistics so collected or portions thereof extracts there from;
  10. Secure better working conditions and the provision and improvement of amenities and incentives for workers; and
  11. Undertake, assist or encourage scientific, technological and economic research.
The following 52 spices are listed in the schedule of the Spices Board Act:
* 1. Cardamom
* 4. Ginger
* 7. Cumin
* 10. Celery
13. Caraway
16. Cassia
19. Kokkam
22. Parsley
25. Vanilla
28. Star anise
31. Horse Radish
34. Asafoetida
37. Juniper berry
40. Marjoram
43. Basil
46. Rosemary
49. Thyme
52. Tamarind
* 2. Pepper
* 5. Turmeric
* 8. Fennel
11. Aniseed
14. Dill
17. Garlic
20. Mint
23. Pomegranate seed
26. Tejpat
29. Sweet flag
32. Caper
35. Cambodge
38. Bayleaf
41. Nutmeg
44. Poppyseed
47. Sage
50. Oregano
* 3. Chilli
* 6. Coriander
* 9. Fenugreek
12. Bishops weed
15. Cinnamon
18. Curry Leaf
21. Mustard
24. Saffron
27. Pepper long
30. Greater Galanga
33. Clove
36. Hyssop
39. Lovage
42. Mace
45. All-spice
48. Savory
51. Tarragon

*Major items having substantial exports are indicated with asterisks.