24 Mar 2026

The central government is evaluating a policy framework that would allow entities based in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) to register ships overseas under a calibrated model similar to the Indian Controlled Tonnage scheme. The proposal would permit a "one-in-one-out" approach, enabling companies to register one vessel abroad and the next under the Indian flag. The move follows representations from the International Financial Services Centres Authority seeking regulatory relaxations to strengthen GIFT City as a global ship leasing hub. At the same time, the government is balancing concerns from domestic shipowners about potential loss of Indian tonnage and policy advantages linked to cargo support mechanisms such as the Right of First Refusal.Read more

24 Mar 2026

The Telangana High Court is set to hear a petition challenging the demolition of houses built on Bhoodan land in Khammam district, where around 20 daily wage workers claim their homes were razed without prior notice. The petitioners state that the land had been allotted to them by the Bhoodan Yagna Board and that valid pattas were issued. Authorities, however, have classified the occupants as encroachers and initiated possession proceedings. The case highlights ongoing legal disputes over Bhoodan land ownership and enforcement, raising concerns around due process, rehabilitation, and property rights for economically vulnerable residents.Read more

24 Mar 2026

The Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UP-RERA) has imposed penalties of INR 5 lakh each on three real estate projects for promoting and selling units without mandatory registration under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. The action, taken during the authority's 198th meeting, involved projects in Noida and Lucknow, including Estate 105, Sobha Rivana, and Avikalp Estate. Investigations revealed that these developments were marketed and, in some cases, sold prior to obtaining regulatory approval. UP-RERA noted that developers failed to provide satisfactory responses to notices issued earlier, prompting enforcement action. The move forms part of a broader crackdown on unauthorised real estate activities to enhance transparency and safeguard homebuyer interests.Read more

24 Mar 2026

Gujarat is integrating its RERA-registered real estate projects with the PM Gati Shakti platform to improve monitoring, approvals and urban planning efficiency. The move will allow authorities to align projects with infrastructure networks, enhance geospatial visibility of housing clusters and enable cross-verification of land parcels with environmental and regulatory zones. By linking town planning data with real estate registrations, the initiative is expected to streamline inter-departmental coordination and reduce approval timelines. The integration reflects a broader push towards data-driven governance in real estate, improving transparency while supporting infrastructure-led development and more efficient service delivery across rapidly growing urban areas.Read more

Ahmedabad News Desk

24 Mar 2026

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has demolished 20 residential houses and four shops in the Narol area to facilitate the development of an 18-metre-wide road under Town Planning Scheme 60. The action, carried out after prior notices to occupants, cleared approximately 3,510 square metres of land required for a 195-metre road stretch. Officials stated that the structures were obstructing the approved road alignment and had not been voluntarily removed despite warnings. The demolition was executed in the presence of police to ensure compliance and maintain order. The move forms part of the city's broader infrastructure push aimed at improving urban mobility and implementing planned development layouts across emerging corridors in Ahmedabad.Read more

23 Mar 2026

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has notified the Income-tax Rules, 2026, which will come into effect from April 1 and operationalise the new Income-tax Act, 2025. The rules retain the existing house rent allowance (HRA) exemption structure, allowing salaried individuals in eight major cities including Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru to claim up to 50 per cent of salary, while others remain eligible for 40 per cent. However, the framework now mandates disclosure of landlord-tenant relationships for claiming HRA benefits. The revised rules introduce over 150 forms, tighten provisions around capital gains and foreign income tax credits, and expand auditor responsibilities. The new regime is aimed at simplifying compliance while strengthening reporting and verification mechanisms across taxpayers and institutions.Read more

23 Mar 2026

The Union government has approved an allocation of INR 33,660 crore under the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA) to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks across India. The scheme is aimed at strengthening manufacturing, attracting investment, and reducing setup delays by offering ready infrastructure and pre-approved land. States will support implementation by providing land and facilitating development. The programme is planned over six years, with parks ranging from 100 to 1,000 acres, and smaller thresholds set for hilly and North Eastern regions to account for terrain constraints.Read more

23 Mar 2026

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has rejected a proposal seeking an additional cost escalation of around INR 7.9 crore for the Goregaon flyover extension project. The matter was placed before the civic standing committee by the administration, but members did not grant approval and asked for further examination. The committee has directed that a site inspection be conducted before reconsidering the proposal. The flyover project has already seen multiple revisions in its overall cost over time, and concerns related to delays and planning have led to closer scrutiny of further expenditure requests.Read more

23 Mar 2026

A parliamentary panel has flagged uncertainty around the Chabahar Port project due to changing geopolitical conditions and US sanctions on Iran. While India has already completed its committed investment of USD 120 million, no fresh budget allocation has been made for the upcoming financial year. The port remains strategically important for India's trade access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. However, evolving global policies, regional tensions, and the status of sanctions waivers have raised concerns about the project's continuity and future operational clarity.Read more

23 Mar 2026

The central government has approved the construction of a four-lane access-controlled stretch of National Highway-927 in Uttar Pradesh with an investment of INR 6,969 crore. The 101.5 km project between Barabanki and Bahraich will be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode. It aims to reduce travel time to nearly one hour, improve road safety, and enhance connectivity to the India Nepal border. The project will also strengthen links to major highways, generate employment, and support regional economic activity, especially in trade and logistics.Read more