(1) No licensee shall accept for storage, agricultural produce which is likely to cause damage to other agricultural produce which is, or may be stored in the cold storage and if any question arises whether any agricultural produce is such as is likely to cause damage as aforesaid, it shall be referred to the Licensing Officer whose decision shall be final:
Provided that a licensee shall not refuse to store potato seed of bona fide cultivators, so certified in the prescribed form and manner by a Gazette Officer of Horticulture Department or a Block Development Officer, as the case may be, on the ground that it is likely to cause damage to other agricultural produce.
(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (1), no licensee shall refuse to accept agricultural produce for storage in his cold storage without any lawful excuse.
Explanation-- The refusal to accept any agricultural produce on the ground that the space in the enclosed chamber, though physically vacant, is booked in favour of any other person, shall not be deemed to be a lawful excuse within the meaning of this section.