MCQs The Punjab Price Control of Essential Commodities Act, 2024
The Punjab Price Control of Essential Commodities Act, 2024 is a legislative framework enacted by the Punjab Assembly on 14 June 2024, aimed at regulating the price, supply, and trade of essential commodities within the province of Punjab.
A. Govt claims so
B. He must prove lawful authority, permit, or licence when prohibited from an act
C. In every case
D. In appeals
Correct answer is: B. He must prove lawful authority, permit, or licence when prohibited from an act
This is a rule of convenience where a fact is specially within the accused's knowledge (Section 16).
A. Reviewable by High Court
B. Final
C. Advisory only
D. Forwarded to Governor
Correct answer is: B. Final
Establishes the Appellate Committee as the final departmental authority.
A. In negligence
B. In public view
C. In good faith
D. Approved by court
Correct answer is: C. In good faith
Section 17 grants immunity to officials acting honestly under the color of the law.
A. Lesser than main offence
B. Same as main offence
C. Only fine
D. Only warning
Correct answer is: B. Same as main offence
Section 14 makes attempt or abetment punishable to the same extent as the full offense.
A. Press release
B. Notification in official Gazette
C. Circular letter
D. Email notice
Correct answer is: B. Notification in official Gazette
Formal method for enacting secondary legislation (Section 18).
A. Section 4
B. Section 2(g)
C. Schedule II
D. Preamble
Correct answer is: B. Section 2(g)
This is the specific sub-section defining the key term.
A. Court order
B. Notification in official Gazette
C. Ministerial speech
D. Chief Secretary's letter
Correct answer is: B. Notification in official Gazette
Formal method for enacting regulations (Section 19).
A. Executive order
B. Notification in official Gazette
C. Legislative bill only
D. Special committee decision only
Correct answer is: B. Notification in official Gazette
Allows the list of "essential commodities" to be updated quickly (Section 20).
A. 1 year
B. 3 years
C. 6 months
D. 5 years
Correct answer is: B. 3 years
Specifies the maximum term of imprisonment for a first-time offense (Section 10).
A. Over all laws
B. Over inconsistent provisions in any enactment other than the Act
C. Over Constitution
D. Over Federal laws only
Correct answer is: B. Over inconsistent provisions in any enactment other than the Act
Establishes the supremacy of this specific Act for price control matters (Section 21).
A. Rs. 50,000
B. Rs. 1,000,000
C. Rs. 500,000
D. Rs. 200,000
Correct answer is: C. Rs. 500,000
Specifies the maximum monetary penalty (Section 10).
A. Punjab Price Control Ordinance 2022
B. Punjab Price Control of Essential Commodities Ordinance 2023 (V of 2024)
C. Punjab Price Regulation Act 2020
D. Federal Price Control Act 2021
Correct answer is: B. Punjab Price Control of Essential Commodities Ordinance 2023 (V of 2024)
The Act replaced the previous Ordinance (temporary law) with a permanent statute (Section 23).
A. Rs. 25,000
B. Rs. 50,000
C. Rs. 45,000
D. Rs. 100,000
Correct answer is: C. Rs. 45,000
The Act prescribes a mandatory minimum fine for recidivism.
A. Invalid
B. Deemed taken under this Act
C. Repealed also
D. To be re-issued
Correct answer is: B. Deemed taken under this Act
Saves previous actions and orders from being invalidated by the repeal.
A. 15 days
B. 3 days
C. 7 days
D. 1 month
Correct answer is: C. 7 days
A maximum limit is set on the closure of the business premises to prevent excessive punitive action.
Correct answer is: B. 3
Refers to the composition of the Council under Section 3.
A. Cognizable and bailable
B. Cognizable and non-bailable
C. Non-cognizable and bailable
D. Non-cognizable and non-bailable
Correct answer is: B. Cognizable and non-bailable
Allows police to arrest without a warrant and reflects the seriousness of the offence (Section 11).
A. Chairperson
B. Member of the Council
C. Secretary of the Council
D. Not part of Council
Correct answer is: B. Member of the Council
The Chief Secretary is a key ex-officio member of the Council (Section 3).
A. 7 working days
B. 10 days
C. 15 working days
D. 30 days
Correct answer is: A. 7 working days
Sets a short timeline for appeals against the Controller of Prices and Supplies (DC).
A. Not included
B. Member of the Council
C. Chairperson of Council
D. Only advisor
Correct answer is: B. Member of the Council
Included as a member due to the department's relevance to food/essential commodities.
A. 7 days
B. 15 working days
C. 10 working days
D. 30 days
Correct answer is: B. 15 working days
Appeals against the Provincial authority have a slightly longer timeline.
A. Code number
B. Sale prices
C. Barcodes only
D. Expiry dates only
Correct answer is: B. Sale prices
To ensure compliance with fixed price limits and transparency.
A. May be charged with abetment
B. Not deemed to have abetted contravention
C. Always exempt from all provisions
D. Needs a licence
Correct answer is: B. Not deemed to have abetted contravention
Protects the ordinary purchaser from being implicated in the seller's offence.
A. Verbal records
B. Books, accounts, and records for inspection
C. No records
D. Only purchase receipts
Correct answer is: B. Books, accounts, and records for inspection
To allow authorities to verify costs and profit margins.
A. Only directors
B. Every director, manager, secretary, member, or officer unless due diligence proved
C. Only company secretary
D. Only owner
Correct answer is: B. Every director, manager, secretary, member, or officer unless due diligence proved
Extends liability to those in charge of the business, holding them accountable for due diligence.
