The power of the government to control the production, supply, distribution, trade and commerce of essential commodities through CONTROL ORDERS is conferred by which provision of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955?

Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 empowers the Central Government to regulate and control the production, supply, distribution, trade and commerce of essential commodities by order - fixing prices, requiring the sale of stocks, regulating transport and storage, and banning hoarding. Section 2 defines 'essential commodity', and Section 3A (now the amended foodstuffs rule) restricts stock limits. Control orders made under Section 3 override inconsistent provisions of other laws and are the principal instrument of price stabilisation. The 2020 amendment deregulated most commodities, confining control largely to foodstuffs in abnormal situations.