(1)- Whenever goods stored in a cold storage begin to deteriorate or are likely to deteriorate from a cause beyond the control of the licensee, or where the hirer fails to take delivery of the goods stored in the cold storage within a period of fifteen days from the date specified there for in the receipt, the licensee shall forthwith give notice thereof to the hirer, requiring him to take delivery of the goods immediately after surrendering the receipt duly discharged and paying all charges due to the licensee, and send a copy of such notice to the Licensing Officer.
(2)- Where the hirer fails to comply with the notice referred to in sub-section (1) within a period of seven days from the date of service thereof, the licensee may cause the goods to be removed from the cold storage and sold by public auction at the cost and risk of their hirer:
Provided that the licensee shall give notice of the sale to the Licensing Officer at least forty-eight hours before such sale, and the Licensing Officer shall supervise such sale either himself or through an officer authorized by him in that behalf.
Explanation- Loss of weight or bulk by driage or shrinking or gain of weight or bulk by absorption of moisture shall be deemed to amount to deterioration within the meaning of this section, if the loss or gain exceeds such limits as the Licensing Officer may, from time to time, having regard to the climatic conditions of different areas, fix by notification published in the Gazette. (3) If there is any excess in the weight or bulk of an agricultural produce stored in a cold storage by absorption of moisture or other causes, the licensee shall not be entitled to such excess.