(1) Every authorised packer shall follow all instructions specified by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser.
(2) The authorised packer shall either set up his own laboratory as per norms or have access to an approved State Grading Laboratory or co-operative or association laboratory or a private commercial laboratory manned by a qualified chemist approved by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or an officer authorised by him in this behalf in accordance with rule 9 of the General Grading and Marking Rules, 1988 for testing the quality of Puwad Seeds.
(3) The premises shall be maintained in perfect hygienic and sanitary condition with proper ventilation and well lighted arrangement and the personnel engaged in these operations shall be in sound health and free from any infectious, contagious or communicable diseases.
(4) The premises shall have adequate storage facilities with pucca floor and free from rodent and insect infestation.
(5) The authorised packer and the approved chemist shall follow all instructions regarding testing, grading, packing, marking, sealing and maintenance of records which may be issued by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or any other officer authorised by him in this behalf.
-5- Schedule I (see rule 5) (Design of Agmark insignia) CA No.
Name of the Commodity………………………………………… Grade……………………………………………………………… -6- Schedule II (see rules 3 and 4) Grade designation and quality of Puwad Seeds (Cassia tora)
1. Puwad Seed shall be obtained from clean, healthy and mature pods or beans of the plant Cassia tora of family Leguminosae 2 (1). The minimum requirements of the Puwad Seeds shall be,-
(a) wholesome mature, clean and dried ;
(b) of characteristic size, shape and colour,
(c) free from living and dead insects, insect fragments, mites, larvae;
(d) free from fungus infestation, mould growth ;
(e) free from added artificial colouring matter;
(f) free from rodent hair and excreta;
(g) free from the seeds of Argemone mexicana (Linn.) and other toxic weeds;
(h) free from rancidity and mustiness;
(i) the odour and flavour of the seeds when grind and moistened shall be fresh;
(j) free from objectionable taste and flavour.
(2) In case Puwad seeds is used as food, it shall comply with the restrictions in regard to residual levels of metal contaminants, insecticides and pesticides, crop contaminants, naturally occurring toxic substances and other food safety requirements as specified under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955.
(3) In case Puwad seeds is used as food, it shall comply with the residual limits of heavy metals, pesticides, and other food safety requirements as laid down by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, or importing countries requirement for exports.
-7- Table
3. Criteria for grade designation:
Special Requirements Grade Desig nation Extraneous matter Organi c, percent . by mass (max.)
Inorganic, percent.
by mass (max.)
Broken seeds percent . by mass (max.)
Bulk density (mass /volume) (min.)
Insect Infected seeds, percent.
by mass (max.)
Total Ash, percent.
(max.)
Moistu re, perce nt.
(max.)
Acid insolub le ash, percen t.
(max.)
Protein , percen t.
(min.)
Crude fiber, percen t.
(max.)
(1)
(2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) Speci al
2.0 0.5 3.0 0.85 3.0 7.0 8.0 1.0 18.0 11.0 Stand ard
3.0 1.0 4.0 0.80 4.0 8.0 9.0 2.0 16.0 13.0 Gener al
3.0 2.0 5.0 0.75 5.0 9.0 10.0 2.0 14.0 15.0
4. Other requirement:
(i) The condition of the Puwad seeds shall be so as to enable it,-
(a) to withstand transport and handling; and
(b) to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.
(ii) Puwad seeds shall be stored in appropriate cool and dry place maintained in a clean and hygienic condition.
Explanation: For the purpose of this Schedule -
(a) Extraneous matter means -
(i) Organic matter consists of leaves, twigs, stems, organic matters other than the puwad seeds.
(ii) Inorganic matter consists of metallic pieces, sand, gravel, dirt, pebbles, stones, lumps of earth, clay and mud, animal filth.
(b) Insect infected seeds means seeds which are wholly or partially bored or eaten by weevils.
(c) Whole seeds mean mature, sound and clean seeds.
(d) Damaged seeds means kernels or pieces of kernels that are sprouted or internally damaged as a result of heat, microbe and moisture.
[File No. 18011/6/2008-M.II] (RAJENDRA KUMAR TIWARI) Joint Secretary (Agricultural Marketing)