Short title, extent and commencement

(1) This Act may be called the Delhi Panchayat Raj Act, 1954. (2) It extends only to the rural areas of the Union Territory of Delhi except - (a) such areas thereof as are included in any estate owned by the Central Government or any local authority; and (b) such other areas thereof as are held and occupied for a public purpose or a work of public utility and declared as such under Section 1 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954, by the Chief Commissioner, or acquired under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, or any other enactment relating to acquisition of land for a public purpose. Explanation - In this sub-section the expression "rural areas" has the meaning assigned to it in the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957. (3) It shall come into force on such date as the Chief Commissioner may, by notification in the official Gazette, appoint.