08 Aug 2025

A parliamentary panel has urged the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to establish a dedicated ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) oversight body to actively combat greenwashing and penalize fraudulent ESG claims. This recommendation is part of a broader call to amend the Companies Act, 2013, to explicitly integrate ESG objectives into the fiduciary duties of company directors. The committee also recommended creating a transparent oversight system for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and strengthening institutions like the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) to tackle financial crimes.Read more

08 Aug 2025

The Bombay High Court has stayed the implementation of a 2023 Maharashtra government resolution that made it compulsory for all new building projects to include a telecom room to receive development permissions. The order came in response to a petition by the Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry (MCHI), which argued that such a rule required a formal amendment to the city's Development Plan and not just a government order. The court accepted this argument and clarified that such planning changes need to go through a legal and consultative process.Read more

08 Aug 2025

Apartment owners across Kochi have sought government assistance following power disconnection warnings from the electricity board over the absence of sewage treatment plants (STPs). More than 70 apartment complexes were issued notices, leaving over 1,500 households anxious. Residents cited limited space, high installation costs, and pre-existing municipal STPs as reasons for non-compliance. The community has proposed interim measures and plans to seek formal intervention from state authorities.Read more

07 Aug 2025

The BMC has taken strict action against two Living Liquidz outlets in Kamala Mills for carrying out unauthorised structural modifications and operating without required fire safety approvals. The civic body demolished illegal extensions and cancelled their licences. This comes after inspections revealed that commercial premises meant for a tailoring shop and a garment store had been illegally turned into bar and wine shop operations. The crackdown is part of a wider enforcement drive in the Kamala Mills compound targeting several eateries for violations.Read more

07 Aug 2025

The Supreme Court has ruled that all construction projects involving industrial sheds, educational institutions, and hostels must obtain environmental clearance from State Environment Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAAs). This overturns earlier provisions that exempted such developments from scrutiny. While upholding revised central norms, the bench-led by Chief Justice B R Gavai-also clarified that states have jurisdiction over clearances in eco-sensitive zones, wildlife areas, polluted zones, and near inter-state borders. The court emphasised the need to balance ecological protection with economic progress, reinforcing the role of decentralised environmental governance in project approvals moving forward.Read more

07 Aug 2025

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ordered a stop to all illegal commercial activities in Bhopal's Arera Colony (E-1 to E-5), a residential zone. Petitioners highlighted lease and planning violations caused by rising commercial setups like shops and restaurants. Notices have been sent to concerned government departments, and they have been instructed to respond within four weeks. The court also ordered that no new non-domestic electricity connections be issued, and no further construction take place until the matter is decided.Read more

07 Aug 2025

Haryana has introduced a pilot project in Naraingarh tehsil, enabling a fully online and paperless deed registration system. The initiative allows property buyers and sellers to schedule appointments, upload documents, make payments, and access land records digitally. Authorities stated that the system flags property disputes or encumbrances in real time, aiming to improve transparency, cut down rejections, and reduce in-person visits. The move is intended to simplify the process and form a model for wider state implementation.Read more

07 Aug 2025

In a move to provide permanent housing for residents of Ambedkar Layout in Ashokapuram, the Karnataka government will develop a dedicated township across 20 acres. Announced by the Social Welfare Minister and Mysuru district in-charge, the plan includes essential amenities to support holistic community development. Discussions are ongoing with the Mysuru Development Authority and local officials to finalise land within or near municipal limits. Financial support has been approved, with INR 1 crore allocated to renovate the local Community Hall and INR 20 crore for completing Ambedkar Bhavan. The project aims to uplift hundreds of families, reinforcing the government's commitment to social justice.Read more

06 Aug 2025

The Ghaziabad Development Authority has announced its intent to initiate legal proceedings against both serving and retired officials involved in allowing unauthorised construction in the Express Garden Housing Society, located in Indirapuram. A court-appointed panel revealed that 134 flats were built over and above the sanctioned 400, prompting recommendations for FIRs against the developer, architect, and officials. The developer has denied wrongdoing, citing internal reconfiguration of units. The issue is currently under the Allahabad High Court's review, with further hearings due in the coming weeks.Read more

06 Aug 2025

MahaRERA recently pulled up a Mumbai-based real estate developer after homebuyers complained about being allotted parking spaces in a wing different from where their flats were located. Despite having paid for puzzle car parking slots, the buyers were not provided with marked or numbered spaces. When residents formed separate housing societies, access to the assigned parking was denied. MahaRERA deemed this a deficiency in service and ordered corrective action.Read more