Section 31 · Tampering with the systems by the licensed dealer

Whoever, being a dealer licensed under any order issued under section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (10 of 1955), instead of supplying the essential commodity declared by or under the said Act, as the State Government may, by notification, specify for the purpose of this Chapter, to the public concerned in accordance with the scheme of the public distribution system intentionally, knowingly or for corrupt motives, transfers such essential commodity to other channels or maintains false or fictitious account for the distribution of the same, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.