06 Feb 2026

Markets regulator Sebi has proposed allowing alternative investment funds (AIFs) to retain limited funds beyond the expiry of their scheme life to ease the winding-up process and enable smoother surrender of registration. In a consultation paper released earlier this week, the regulator said the move aims to make the exit framework for AIFs more predictable and operationally efficient. Sebi noted that AIFs often need to retain small amounts to meet residual operational expenses such as legal fees, audit costs and regulatory filings, which makes achieving a nil bank balance within the permissible fund life difficult. Separately, Sebi has proposed permitting certain AIFs with no active investments to seek an inoperative status, with proportionate compliance requirements. Public comments on the proposals have been invited until February 26.Read more

06 Feb 2026

A recent aviation whitepaper highlights India and the Asia-Pacific region as the main drivers of global air traffic growth over the next two decades. The study projects that eight of the world's 10 fastest-growing aviation markets will come from emerging economies in this region. International passenger traffic in Asia-Pacific has already grown faster than the global average, supported by route expansion, rising incomes and improving connectivity. India is positioned as a key contributor, alongside China and Southeast Asian nations, while air cargo and airline consolidation continue to shape the sector.Read more

06 Feb 2026

Alphabet is expanding its footprint in Bengaluru by leasing one office tower in Alembic City and holding options for two more, potentially accommodating 20,000 additional staff. The company currently operates from three offices in the city and launched one of its largest offices worldwide there in 2025. This expansion aligns with India's growing tech prominence and the increasing relocation of U.S. companies' critical work due to stricter immigration rules. Alphabet's broader plans include a USD 15 billion AI data centre in Andhra Pradesh, reflecting long-term investment in the country.Read more

Pune News Desk

06 Feb 2026

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has placed before its standing committee a proposal to raise property tax by 10 per cent for the upcoming financial year, prompting widespread criticism from citizens' groups and activists. The proposal, intended to bolster civic revenue amid rising expenditure and slow growth in income, will be considered by the committee in the coming days, with final approval required from the full civic body before mid-February. Critics argue that increasing tax for compliant property owners is unjust when substantial dues, reportedly around INR 7,000 crore, remain uncollected from major defaulters, including commercial entities, government departments and disputed claims. Opponents have urged the administration to prioritise recovery of outstanding taxes and to explore alternative revenue avenues rather than imposing a higher tax burden on ordinary taxpayers. The issue has become contentious in the run-up to key municipal budget decisions.Read more

06 Feb 2026

India and Bhutan are advancing their collaboration in the hydropower sector, focusing on key projects like Punatsangchhu-I (1,200 MW) and Punatsangchhu-II (1,020 MW) as well as the Sankosh Hydropower Project. Discussions with Union Power Minister Manohar Lal included commercial optimisation, early commissioning timelines, and long-term transmission planning through 2040. The two nations also addressed smoother approval mechanisms for power scheduling, especially during Bhutan's lean months. This step reinforces their ongoing energy partnership, aimed at improving efficiency, supporting regional electricity trade, and meeting increasing power demands in both countries.Read more

06 Feb 2026

Yes Bank has received regulatory approval for Vinay Muralidhar Tonse to take over as managing director and CEO for a three-year term. Tonse, formerly in charge of retail operations at State Bank of India, will succeed Prashant Kumar, whose extended tenure ends on April 6. Kumar was appointed in 2020 after the bank's rescue amid severe asset quality stress linked to shadow lenders and real estate exposure. The leadership change follows Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation's acquisition of a 24 percent stake last year, strengthening Yes Bank's ownership base.Read more

06 Feb 2026

India's Union Budget for 2026-27 introduced a range of measures expected to bolster the real estate and construction sectors, with a focus on infrastructure-led urban development, asset monetisation and regulatory relief. The government proposed the accelerated monetisation of central public sector enterprise real estate through dedicated Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) structures, alongside incentives to strengthen construction equipment manufacturing. Income tax exemptions were announced for landowners affected by compulsory acquisition for infrastructure projects, while compliance for property transactions involving non-residents was simplified. A new initiative to establish City Economic Regions (CERs) is designed to channel investment into Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and temple towns, with dedicated financing for civic infrastructure. Urbanisation and connectivity measures are expected to widen real estate demand beyond the largest metropolitan markets. However, direct incentives for affordable housing remained absent.Read more

06 Feb 2026

Residents in Secunderabad Cantonment have submitted a detailed proposal for a ward-wise house tax arrears recovery plan to senior cantonment and defence estate officials, seeking stricter enforcement of overdue property tax collections under the Cantonments Act 2006. The plan, prepared by local representatives in Ward-8, calls for systematic, legally grounded action to improve compliance and reduce long-standing tax arrears within the Cantonment's civilian wards. It outlines a cycle of fortnightly enforcement drives in each ward, including official field visits, statutory demand notices, interest and penalty recovery, and escalation against chronic defaulters. The proposal also recommends dedicated ward teams, real-time tracking of arrears and the promotion of online payment options to streamline collections. Penalty measures escalate with the length of the default period, and the framework suggests data-driven dashboards to monitor progress across wardsRead more

Bangalore News Desk

05 Feb 2026

Owners of irregularly sized and corner sites in Bengaluru developed under the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) are reporting property tax anomalies that leave them paying almost double what neighbouring standard plots are charged. The tax regime, based on a slab structure introduced by the BDA, can push a modest increase in site area into a substantially higher rate bracket, forcing the higher rate to apply to the entire site rather than only the excess area beyond standard dimensions. Allottees from layouts such as Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout, Banashankari 6th Stage and Sir M Visvesvaraya Layout have raised concerns that they were not informed about these tax implications at the time of purchase. BDA officials say the automated system applies tax strictly according to predefined slabs, and there has been no change despite requests for a more equitable approach. Around 3,000 plots are thought to be affected by the current policy framework.Read more

05 Feb 2026

Affordable housing finance companies are likely to see slower growth in assets under management, with expansion easing to around 21 per cent in FY26 from 23 per cent in FY25, according to Crisil. Growth is expected to remain steady in FY27. The loan against property segment may also moderate due to tighter underwriting amid asset quality concerns. While profitability may dip slightly, it is expected to stay healthy. Rising stress in small-ticket loans, particularly in the sub-INR 15 lakh category, remains a key area to watch.Read more