KRISHI UTPADAN MANDI SAMITI,HALDWANI vs M/S INDIAN WOOD PRODUCTS LTD

The Supreme Court interpreted Section 17(iii)(b) of the relevant agricultural produce legislation, clarifying that the liability to pay the market fee primarily rests with the purchaser, even in transactions between traders. The Court held that while a selling trader may collect the fee from the purchaser, the ultimate responsibility for payment lies with the purchaser, thus rejecting the argument that the selling trader is liable regardless of collection. The judgment reinforces the legislative intent that the producer should not bear the fee burden.