Government Targets Seeds Bill 2025 Introduction in February Parliament Session
The government targets introducing the Seeds Bill 2025 during February's Budget session after receiving 9,000 public suggestions. The legislation will modernize India's seed regulation by replacing the 1966 Seeds Act with mandatory registration requirements, QR code traceability, and penalties ranging from ₹1-30 lakh for violations while preserving farmer rights to save and exchange seeds.
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The government is targeting to introduce the Seeds Bill 2025 in Parliament during the first phase of the Budget session in February, Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi announced. The ministry received significant public engagement with 9,000 applications containing suggestions for the proposed legislation.
Legislative Timeline and Process
The Agriculture Secretary confirmed that the ministry will process all received suggestions before preparing a cabinet note. The deadline for public comments on the draft Seeds Bill 2025 concluded on December 11, 2024. Following the Seeds Bill introduction, the ministry plans to table the Pesticides Management Bill 2020 after the Parliament recess.
Key Provisions of Seeds Bill 2025
The Seeds Bill 2025 will replace the existing 1966 Seeds Act and introduces several modern regulatory frameworks:
| Provision: | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Requirements | Mandatory registration for seed varieties, dealers, and producers |
| Quality Standards | Modern traceability standards including QR codes on packets |
| Oversight Structure | Establishment of central and state seed committees |
| Farmer Rights | Allows saving and exchanging farm-saved seeds without registration |
Penalty Structure and Enforcement
The proposed legislation establishes a comprehensive penalty framework for violations:
| Violation Type: | Penalty Range |
|---|---|
| Individual Fines | ₹1.00 lakh to ₹30.00 lakh |
| Maximum Imprisonment | Up to 3 years |
| Penalty Grading | Based on severity of violation |
For corporate violations, the bill holds accountable the person in charge of the company at the time of the offence and responsible for business conduct. This provision ensures corporate accountability in seed quality and compliance matters.
Regulatory Modernization Impact
The Seeds Bill 2025 represents a significant modernization of India's seed regulation framework. The legislation balances quality assurance through mandatory registration and modern traceability systems while preserving traditional farmer practices of seed saving and exchange. The establishment of oversight committees at both central and state levels aims to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of seed quality standards across the country.
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