Definitions

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—

1. (a) “appointed date” in relation to any urban area, means the date on which this Act comes into force in that area ;
2. (b) “Bombay Metropolitan Region” or “Metropolitan Region” as the meaning assigned to it in the Bombay Metropolitan Region Development Authority Act, 1974 ;
3. (c) “Competent Authority” means such officer, not below the rank of a Deputy Collector or an Executive Engineer, a Municipal Ward Officer or Chief Officer as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint for the purposes of this Act ; and different officers may be appointed for different areas of the State ;
4. (d) “corporation area” means the Metropolitan Region and an area within the limits of a municipal corporation (other than Greater Bombay) constituted under any law for the time being in force in the State ;
5. (e) “urban area” means any corporation area or the area for the time being included within the limits of any municipal council constituted or deemed to be constituted under any law for the time being in force, and includes such area as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify ;
6. (f) “vacant land,” in relation to any urban area, means—
7. (a) all lands in such area, whether agricultural or non-agricultural, which are vacant and are not built upon on the appointed date;
8. (b) all lands in such area on which any structure has been or is being constructed otherwise than in accordance with any law regulating the construction of such structure and which the Competent Authority may, from time to time, by an order in writing, specify and declare to be vacant lands by announcing by beat of drum or other suitable means on or in the vicinity of such lands, and the declaration so made shall be deemed to be notice to all those who are occupying such lands that all such lands shall be vacant lands for the purposes of this Act; and includes, in particular, all lands specified in the Schedule to this Act. The State Government may, from time to time, by an order, published in the Official Gazette, amend that Schedule by adding thereto any land or lands specified in that order or by modifying or transferring any entry in that Schedule.