(1) This Act may he called The Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act, 19521.
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,--
(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette establish a Commission to be called the Forward Markets Commission for the purpose of exercising such functions and discharging such duties as may be assigned to the Commission by or under this Act.
The functions of the Commission shall be--
1[4A. Powers of the Commission.--(1) The Commission shall in the performance of its functions, have all the powers of a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), while trying a suit in respect of the following matters, namely:--
(1) Any association concerned with the regulation and control of forward contracts which is desirous of being recognised for the purposes of this Act may make an application in the prescribed manner to the Central Government.
(1) If the Central Government, after making such inquiry as may be necessary in this behalf and after obtaining such further information, if any, as it may require, is satisfied that it would be in the interest of the trade and also in the public interest to grant recognition to the association which has made an application under section 5, it may grant recognition to the association in such form and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed or specified, and shall specify in such recognition the goods or classes of goods with respect to which forward contracts may be entered into between members of such association or through or with any such member.
If the Central Government is of opinion that any recognition granted to an association under the provisions of this Act should, in the interest of the trade or in the public interest, be withdrawn, the Central Government may, after giving a reasonable opportunity to the association to be heard in the matter withdraw, by notification in the Official Gazette, the recognition granted to the said association:
1[(1) Every recognised association and every member thereof shall furnish to the Central Government such periodical returns relating to its affairs, or the affairs of its members, as the case may be, as may be prescribed.]
1[(1) Every recognised association shall furnish to the Commission three copies of its annual report.]
1[9A. Power of recognised association to make rules respecting grouping of members, restricting voting rights, etc., in special cases.--(1) A recognised association may make rules or amend any rules made by it to provide for all or any of the following matters namely,--
(1) Whenever the Central Government considers it expedient so to do, it may, by order in writing, direct any recognised association to make any rules or to amend any rules made by the recognised association within such period as it may specify in this behalf.
(1) Any recognised association may, subject to the previous approval of the Central Government, make bye-laws for the regulation and control of forward contracts.
(1) The Central Government may, either on a request in writing received by it in this behalf from the governing body of a recognised association, or if in its opinion it is expedient so to do, make bye-laws for all or any of the matters specified in section 11 or amend any bye-laws made by such association under that section.
1[12A. Application of amendment of bye-laws to existing forward contracts.--Any amendment of a bye-law under section 11 other than an amendment made in pursuance of clause (a) or clause (aa) of sub-section (3) of that section or under section 12 also apply to all forward contracts entered into before the date of its approval by the Central Government or before the date of its publication in the Gazette of India, as the case may be, and remaining to be performed on or after the said date.]
1[12B. Power of Commission to suspend member of recognised association or to prohibit him from trading.--(1) If, in the interest of trade or in the public interest, the Commission considers it necessary to suspend a member from his membership of any recognised association or to prohibit such members from entering into any forward contract for the sale or purchase in his own name or through another member of a recognised association of any goods or class of goods, then, notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force or in the rules or bye-laws of a recognised association, the Commission may, after giving an opportunity of being heard, by order suspend his membership of any association or prohibit him from entering into any such contract.
(1) Without prejudice to any other powers vested in the Central Government under this Act, where the Central Government is of opinion that the governing body of any recognised association should be superseded, then, notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or in any other law for the time being in force, the Central Government may, after giving a reasonable opportunity to the governing body of the recognised association concerned to show cause why it should not be superseded, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare the governing body of such association to be superseded for such period not exceeding six months as may be specified in the notification, and may appoint any person or persons to exercise and perform all the powers and duties of the governing body, and where more persons than one are appointed may appoint one of such persons to be the chairman and another of such persons to be the vice-chairman.
If in the interest of the trade or in the public interest the Central Government considers it expedient so to do, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct a recognise association to suspend such of its business for such period not exceeding seven days and subject to such conditions as may be specified in the notification, and may if, in the opinion of the Central Government, the interest of the trade or the public interest to requires by like notification extend the said period from time to time:
1[14A. Certificate of registration to be obtained by all associations.--(1) No association concerned with regulation and control of business relating to forward contracts shall, after the commencement of the Forward Contracts (Regulation) Amendment Act, 1960 (62 of 1960) (hereinafter referred to as such commencement) carry on such business except under, and in accordance with, the conditions of a certificate of registration granted under this Act by the Commission.
1[14B. Grant or refusal of certificate of registration.--On receipt of an application under section 14A, the Commission, after making such inquiry as it considers necessary in this behalf, may by order in writing grant a certificate of registration or refuse to grant it:
1[14C. Application of section 8 and 12B to registered association.--The provisions of sections 8 and 12B shall apply in relation to a registered association as they apply in relation to a recognised association with the substitution of--
(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare this section to apply to such goods or class of goods and in such areas as may be specified in the notification, and thereupon, subject to the provisions contained in section 18, every forward contract for the sale or purchase of any goods specified in the notification which is entered into in the area specified therein otherwise than between members of a recognised association or through or with any such member shall be illegal.
Where a notification has been issued under section 15, then notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force or in anycustom, usage or practice of the trade or the terms of any contract or the bye-laws of any association concerned relating to any contract,--
(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare that no person shall, save with the permission of the Central Government, enter into any forward contract for the sale or purchase of any goods or class of goods specified in the notification and to which the provisions of section 15 have not been made applicable, except to the extent and in the manner, if any, as may be specified in the notification.
(1) Nothing contained in Chapter III or Chapter IV shall apply to non-transferable specific delivery contracts for the sale or purchase of any goods:
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or in any other law for the time being in force, all options in goods entered into after the date on which this section comes into force shall be illegal.
1[20. Penalties.--Any person who--
Any person who--
1[21A. Power of court to order forfeiture of property.--Any court trying an offence punishable under section 20 or section 21 may, if it thinks fit and in addition to any sentence which it may impose for such offence, direct that any money, goods or other property in respect of which the offence has been committed, shall be forfeited to the Central Government.
(1) Where an offence has been committed by a company, every person who, at the time the offence was committed, was in charge of, and was responsible to the company for the conduct of the business of the company, as well as the company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly:
1[22A. Power to search and seize books of account or other documents.--(1) Any presidency magistrate or a magistrate of the first class may, by warrant, authorise any police officer not below the rank of sub-inspector to enter upon and search any place where books of account or other documents relating to forward contracts or options in goods entered into contravention of the provisions of this Act, may be or may be reasonably suspected to be, and such police officer may seize any such book or document, if in his opinion, it relates to any such forward contract or option in goods.
122B. Presumptions to be drawn in certain cases.--(1) Where any books of account or other documents are seized from any place and there are entries therein making reference to quantity, quotations, rates, months of delivery, receipt or payment of differences or sale or purchase of goods or option in goods, such books of account or other documents shall be admitted in evidence without witnesses having to appear to prove the same; and such entries shall be prima facie evidence of the matters, transactions and accounts purported to be therein recorded.
Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898), 1[the following offences shall be deemed to be cognizable within the meaning of that Code, namely:--
No court inferior to that of a presidency magistrate or a magistrate of the first class shall take cognizance of or try any offence punishable under this Act.
For the purpose of advising the Central Government in relation to any matter concerning the operation of this Act, the Central Government may establish an advisory committee consisting of such number of persons as may be prescribed.
The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that any power exercisable by it under this Act may, in such circumstances and subject to such conditions, if any, as may be specified, be exercised by such officer or authority, including any State Government or officers or authorities thereof as may be specified in the direction.
The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, exempt, subject to such conditions and in such circumstances and in such areas as may be specified in the notification, any contract or class of contracts from the operation of all or any of the provisions of this Act.
1[27A. Protection of action taken in good faith.--(1) No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie in any court against the Central Government or any member, officer or servant of the Commission for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act, or any rule or bye-law made thereunder.
(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for the purpose of carrying into effect, the objects of this Act.
Year | Description | Hindi Description | Files(Eng) | Files(Hindi) |
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08-07-1954 | the Forward Contracts (Regulation) Rules, 1954. |
1[28A. Savings of recognised associations.--(1) All recognised associations under the Forward Contracts Regulation Act, shall be deemed to be recognised stock exchanges under the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 (42 of 1956) (herein referred to as the Securities Contracts Act):
1[29. Repeals and savings.--If immediately before the date on which this Act or any provision contained therein is made applicable to any goods or classes of goods in any State, there is in force in that State any law corresponding to this Act or, as the case may be, to any provision contained therein which is applicable to those goods or classes of goods, that law shall stand repealed on the said date:
1[29A. Repeal and savings.--(1) The Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1952 (74 of 1952) is hereby repealed.
1[29B. Transfer and vesting of undertaking of Commission.--- (1) On the date on which the Forward Contracts Act is repealed, the undertaking shall be transferred, and vest with the Securities and Exchange Board of India.