(1)

This Act may be called the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act.

(2)

It shall extend to the whole of the State of Maharashtra.

(3)

This Act shall come into force at once; but the provisions thereof shall apply to a public trust or any class of public trusts on the dates specified in the notification under sub-section (4).

(4)

The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify the date on which the provisions of this Act shall apply to any public trust or any class of public trusts; and different dates may be specified for such trusts in different areas:

Provided that the State Government may also by a like notification direct that from the date specified therein any public trust or class of public trusts shall be exempt from all or any of the provisions of this Act, subject to such conditions as may be specified in the notification:

Provided further that before a notification of such application or exemption is published a draft thereof shall be published in the Official Gazette and in such other manner as may be prescribed for the information of persons likely to be affected thereby together with a notice specifying the date on or before which any objections or suggestions shall be received and the date on or after which the draft shall be taken into consideration.