{1) Subject to the provisions of rule 52C, no consignment of essential narcotic drugs shall be transported, imported inter-State or exported inter-State unless such consignment is accompanied by a consignment note in Form No. 3C and in the manner as provided in sub-rules (2) and (3).
(2) The consignment note referred to in sub-rule (1) shall be prepared in triplicate, and the original and duplicate copies of the said note shall be sent along with the consignment of essential narcotic drugs to the consignee who shall return the duplicate copy of the note to the consignor for his use after endorsing on the original and duplicate copies, the particulars of the receipt of the quantity consigned.
(3) The consignor and consignee shall preserve such consignment note referred to in sub-rule (1) for a period of two years:
Provided that the said consignment note shall not apply in cases where the sale of the essential narcotic drug is accompanied by a sale bill or invoice or cash memo or any other document duly signed by the consignor or his authorised signatory, which shall include the following information about the consignment:-
(a) name, address and licence number of the consignor and the consignee;
(b) description, batch number and quantity;
(c) mode and particulars of transport:
Provided further that such documents shall be preserved by the consignor and consignee for a period of two years.
Explanation.-Where the consignee is a person to whom the essential narcotic drug has been sold or dispensed for his personal use, research institution, registered medical practitioner, recognised medical institution, or hospital, the requirement of incorporating licence number of the consignee shall not be applicable.