The Act grants power to the Central Government to regulate or restrict the production, supply, and distribution of commodities and the trade therein. The Government shall make an Order for this purpose if it holds that regulation of the essential commodity is required for reasons of regular supply at fair prices or for military purpose (sect. 3). "Essential commodities" are defined in section 2 and include cattle fodder, cotton, foodstuffs, food crops, and sugar. Section 6A grants powers to the