Definitions.

In this Act, unless the context requires otherwise,-

1. (a) "Control Board" mean the Devdasi Practice Control and Eradication Board established under section 5 ;
2. (b) "dedication" means the performance of any act or ceremony by whatever name called, by which a woman is dedicated, voluntarily or otherwise, to the service of a Hindu deity, idol, object of worship, temple or religious institution as Devdasi or Jogtin or by any other name ;
3. (c) "Devdasi" means a woman dedicated to a Hindu deity, idol, object of worship, temple or religious institution, named as Devdasi, Jogtin or by any other name;
4. (d) "Devdasi Prevention Officer" means an officer appointed under section 10 ;
5. (e) "District Committee" means a District Devdasi Practice Control Committee or Committees constituted under section 8 ;
6. (f) "Government" means the Government of Maharashtra ;
7. (g) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
8. (h) "temple" means a place by whatever name called dedicated to or used as a place of religious worship ; and
   • (i) "woman" means a female human being of any age.