The term 'ESSENTIAL COMMODITY' under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 is defined in:

Explanation: Section 2(a) of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 defines 'essential commodity' to mean a class of goods notified by the Central Government from time to time - historically including foodstuffs, drugs, fertilisers, petroleum products and others. Section 3 empowers the Government to make control orders for essential commodities, while Section 6A deals with forfeiture of seized property and Section 4 with the power to regulate the transport of essential commodities. The definitional section determines what goods can be brought under the control regime. The 2020 amendment narrowed the notified categories, largely to foodstuffs.