In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires, -
(a) “Act” means the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986);
(b) “area/zone” means all areas which fall in either of the four categories given in the Schedule annexed to these rules;
3[(c) “authority” means and includes any authority or officer authorized by the Central Government, or as the case may be, the State Government in accordance with the laws in force and includes a District Magistrate, Police Commissioner, or any other officer not below the rank of the Deputy Superintendent of Police designated for the maintenance of the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise under any law for the time being in force];
4[(d) “court” means a governmental body consisting of one or more judges who sit to adjudicate 1 As published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Par II-Section 3(ii), vide S.O. 123 (E), dated 14.2.2000.
2 Ins.by S.O.50 (E), dated 11.01.2010 3 Subs. by S.O. 1046(E), dated 22.11.2000, w.e.f. 22.11.2000 4 Ins. by S.O. 1046(E), dated 22.11.2000, (w.e.f. 22.11.2000) 911 The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 disputes and administer justice and includes any court of law presided over by judge, judges or a magistrate and acting as a tribunal in civil, taxation and criminal cases;
(e) “educational institution” means a school, seminary, college, university, professional academies, training institutes or other educational establishment, not necessarily a chartered institution and includes not only buildings, but also all grounds necessary for the accomplishment of the full scope of educational instruction, including those things essential to mental, moral and physical development;
(f) “hospital” means an institution for the reception and care of sick, wounded, infirm or aged persons, and includes government or private hospitals, nursing homes and clinics;]
1[(g) “person” shall include any company or association or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not;]
2[(h) “State Government” in relation to a Union territory means the Administrator thereof appointed under article 239 of the Constitution;]
3[(i) “public place” means any place to which the public have access, whether as of right or not, and includes auditorium, hotels, public waiting rooms, convention centres, public offices, shopping malls, cinema halls, educational institutions, libraries, open grounds and the like which are visited by general public; and
(j) “night time” means the period between 10.00 p.m. and 6.00 a.m.]