(1) No person other than-
(a) the Government;
(b) an officer of Government authorised in that behalf; or
(c) an agent in respect of the unit in which the leaves have grown;
shall purchase or transport Kendu leaves.
Explanation I - Purchase of Kendu leaves from the aforesaid Government officer or agent shall not be deemed to be a purchase in contravention of the provisions of this Act.
Explanation II - A person having no interest in the land who has acquired the right to collect Kendu leaves grown on such land shall be deemed to have purchased such leaves in contravention of the provi sions of this Act.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub -section (1)-
(a) a grower of Kendu leaves may transport his leaves from any place within the unit wherein such leaves have grown to any other place in that unit;
2[x x x] 3[Provided that a registered grower may also transport his leaves from any place within the unit wherein such leaves have grown to any other place outside the unit for the purpose of sale to the Government or any agent in respect of the unit author ised to purchase the same from him; and]
(b) leaves purchased from Government or any officer or agent specified in the said sub -section by any person for manufacture of bidis within the State or by any person for sale outside the State may be trans ported by such person outside the unit under a permit to be issued in that behalf by such authority and in such manner as may be prescribed and the permit issued shall be subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.