Cotton seeds have been included by the Centre in the list of 'Essential Commodities' and hence, it is now a matter of Central governance.
In keeping with this, a division bench of Gujarat High Court has invalidated the Gujarat Cotton Seeds (Regulation of Supply, Distribution, Sale and Fixation of Sale Price) Act, 2008, on the grounds of it being in disagreement with the Central legislation. With this the cotton seed prices are no more under State Government control.
The Centre issued a notification on December 12, 2009, whereby it added cotton seed to the list of 'Essential Commodities'.
With this notification, the National Seeds Association of India moved the High Court with a contention that when a central legislation exists, the state law becomes invalid.
Considering this contention, the division bench upheld the Association's plea and invalidated the state legislation.