(1) This Act may be called The Urban (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976.
(2) It applies in the first instance to the whole of the States of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal and to all the Union territories and it shall also apply to such other State which adopts this Act by resolution passed in that behalf under clause (1) of Article 252 of the Constitution.
(3) It shall come into force in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal and in the Union Territories at once and in any other State which adopts this Act under clause (1) of Article 252 of the Constitution, on the date of such adoption and, save as otherwise provided in this Act, any reference this Act to the commencement of this Act shall, in relation to any State or Union Territory, mean the (sic) on which this Act comes into force in such State or Union Territory.