In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-
(a) "academic year" means the year commencing on the first day of April;
(b) "competent authority" means any person, officer or other authority (including Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education) authorised by the Government, by notification, to perform the functions of the competent authority under this Act for such area or in relation to such class of private
1. Passed in Hindi by the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. For Statement of Objects and Reasons see the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh (Extra- ordinary), dated 11th December, 1997, pp. 4684 and 4693.
THE HIMACHAL PRADESH PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS 3 (REGULATION) ACT, 1997 educational institutions, as may be specified in the notification;
(c) "Government" means the Government of Himachal Pradesh ;
(d) "manager" in relation to a private educational institution means the person in whom the authority to manage and conduct the affairs of the private educational institution is vested;
(e) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
(f) "private educational institution" means an educational institution conducting courses of instruction leading to grant of Scheduled Certificate; and
(g) "Scheduled Certificate" means any certificate specified in the schedule.
CHAPTER- II PERMISSION FOR ESTABLISHING OR RUNNING PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS