Section 3. Appointment of Competent Authorities.

(1) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint any person to be the Competent Authority for the purposes of this Act, for such area as may be specified in the notification. (2) Where any body corporate (including a local authority) is appointed to be the Competent Authority, then the powers and functions of the Competent Authority under this Act shall, subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Competent Authority may impose in this behalf, be exercised and performed on behalf of such body corporate 1[by such officer of the concerned Competent Authority, as such Authority, by general or special order issued in this behalf appoints.] 2* * * * * * *