The Government shall, by notification and after consultation with the Committee, fix the price at which any particular minor forest produce shall be purchased by them or by any authorised officer or agent, [from growers of that produce registered under section 10] and the price so fixed shall also be published in such other manner as may be prescribed, not later than the 31st day of December; and the price so fixed shall not be altered during the year to which the price relates:
Provided that if the Committee fails to tender its advice in regard to the fixation of such price within the period specified under sub-section (5) of section 6, or such further period, not exceeding fifteen days, as the Government may allow, the Government may proceed to fix the price without further consultation with the Committee:
Provided further that different prices may be fixed in relation to different units, and in so doing regard shall be had amongst other things, to-
(a) prices of the respective minor forest produce obtained or fixed under this Act, or any enactment during the preceding three years in respect of the area comprised in the unit;
(b) the quality of the minor forest produce grown in the unit;
(c) transport facilities available in the unit;
(d) the cost of transport; and
(e) the general level of wages for unskilled labour prevalent in the unit.