Section 2 — Definitions.

In this Act, unless the context requires otherwise,-

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(a) "Appointing Authority" means any local authority or any officer or authority thereof who has powers to appoint the employees in any Local Authority or any department or office thereof ;

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(b) "Disciplinary Authority" means the Authority competent to impose penalties under the rules or regulations relating to discipline applicable to the employees ;

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(c) "District Marathi Language Committee" means a District Marathi Language Committee constituted in each District under section 5D of the Maharashtra Official Languages Act, 1964 (Mah. V of 1965) ;

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(d) "employee" means any person employed as an employee or officer in the office of the Local Authority and also includes persons employed on contractual basis;

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(e) "Local Authority" means,-

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(i) Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council, Nagar Panchayat, Industrial Township, Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samiti, Village Panchayat, any other Local Self Government Authority or Planning Authority ; or

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(ii) statutory corporations, Government companies or any authority owned, controlled or financed by the State Government;

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(f) "Marathi" means the Marathi language in Devnagari script which is adopted in the State under the Government Resolutions issued, from time to time ;

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(g) "Marathi Language Officer" means an officer designated as the Marathi Language Officer under section 5 ;

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(h) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules;

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(i) "State Government" means the Government of Maharashtra;

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(j) "State Marathi Language Committee" means a State Marathi Language Committee constituted under section 5C of the Maharashtra Official Languages Act, 1964 (Mah. V of 1965).