(1) This Act may be cited as [the Maharashtra Prohibition Act.]
(2) It extends to the whole of the [State of Maharashtra]
(3) It shall come into force [in the area comprising the pre-Reorganisation State of Bombay] on such date as the [State] Government may by notification in the Official Gazette [specify].
In those areas of the State to which it is extended by the Bombay Prohibition (Extension and Amendment) Act, 1959 (Bom.XII of 1959), it shall come into force on such other date as that Government may, by like notification appoint :
Provided that having regard to the nature of the outstill area of the Chanda District, the general backwardness of the people residing therein, and the necessity of preparing an adequate background before the introduction of prohibition therein, the State Government may, if it thinks fit, fix a different date for bringing the Act into force in that area.
Explanation.- In this sub-section the expression "outstill area of the Chanda District" means the areas of the Chanda District specified in Schedule I-A.]
[(4) On the commencement of this Act in the manner provided in sub-section (3) in any area to which this Act is extended by the Bombay Prohibition (Extension and Amendment) Act, 1959 (Bom. XII of 1959), all rules, regulations, orders and notifications made or issued or deemed to be made or issued under this Act and inforce in the pre-Reorganisation State of Bombay excluding the transferred territories immediately before such commencement, shall also extend to, and be in force in that area.]