Definitions.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires :- (a) [x x x] (b) "building" includes any structure or erection of any part of a building as so defined but does not include plant or machinery comprised in a building; (c) "competent authority" means such officer or authority as the State Government may, by notification, appoint as the competent authority for the purposes of this Act; (d) "erection" in relation to a building includes extension, alteration or re-erection; (e) "land" includes benefits to arise out of land, and things attached to the earth or permanently fastened to anything attached to the earth; (f) "occupier" includes- (i) any person who for the time being paying or is liable to pay to the owner the rent or any portion of the rent of the land or building in respect of which such rent is paid or is payable; (i-a) any person who has acquired lease hold rights in respect of any land occupied by him under the provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Nagariya Kshetro Ke Bhoomihin Vyakti (Pattadhruti Adhikaron Ka Pradan Kiya Jana) Adhiniyam, 1984 (No. 15 of 1984); (ii) an owner in occupation of or otherwise using his land or building; (iii) a rent free tenant on any land or building; (iv) a licensee in occupation of any land or building; and (v) any person who is liable to pay to the owner damages for the use or occupation of any land or building; (g) "owner" includes any person who is receiving or is entitled to receive the rent of any building or land whether on Iris own account or on behalf of himself and others or as agent or trustee, or who would so receive the rent or be entitled to receive it if the building or land were let to a tenant; (h) "slum clearance" means the clearance of any slum area by the demolition or removal of buildings therefrom; (i) "work of improvement" includes in relation to any building in a slum area the execution of any one or more of the following works, namely :- (i) necessary repairs; (ii) structural alterations; (iii) provision of light points, water taps and bathing places; (iv) construction of drains open or covered; (v) provision of latrines, conversion of dry latrines into water borne latrines; (vi) provision of additional or improved fixtures or fittings; (vii) opening up or paning of courtyards; (viii) removal of rubbish; (ix) laying of roads; (x) broadening of lanes; (xi) removal of dangerous and hazardous trades; (xii) development of land and provision for open space for children park, play ground and public parks; and (xiii) any other work including the demolition of any building or any part thereof which in the opinion of the competent authority is necessary for executing any of the works specified above; (j) "local authority" in respect of a town means the Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council, Notified Area Committee or Town Improvement Trust, if any, as the case may be, constituted for such town under the Madhya Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1956 (No. 23 of 1956), the Madhya Pradesh Municipalities Act, 1961 (No. 37 of 1961) or the Madhya Pradesh Town Improvement Trusts Act, 1961 (No. 14 of 1961) as the case may be, and includes any person or committee of persons appointed to exercise and perform the powers and functions of such Corporation, Council, Committee or Trust, as the case may be, on its dissolution or supersession; (k) "slum area" means area declared to be a slum area under sub-section (1) of Section 3.