27 Sep 2024

Real estate developers in the National Capital Region (NCR) can now conduct non-polluting construction activities during winter months when pollution levels typically rise. New guidelines from the Commission for Air Quality Management clarify prohibited activities, allowing developers to maintain at least 50% of their work and keep their labour force engaged. Industry leaders emphasize that this will help alleviate delays caused by construction bans and benefit daily wage labourers. While specific operations like brick furnaces and mining face restrictions, the guidelines enable developers to plan ahead, ensuring timely project completion amidst rising air pollution concerns.Read more

27 Sep 2024

The Uttar Pradesh Housing and Development Board (Avas Vikas Parishad) has announced new policies benefiting property owners, allowing the merger of adjacent plots owned by the same person or immediate relatives. Residential plot combinations require a 2% fee, while commercial properties need a 5% fee for four plots. Additionally, government employees can now obtain property possession by paying 50% of the total cost upfront. A structural safety certificate will be mandatory for group housing projects over 15 floors. The board also approved a private developer's integrated township in Barabanki and agreed to compensate over 1 lakh farmers for previously acquired land.Read more

27 Sep 2024

The Pilerne Citizens Forum has taken legal action by challenging Sections 17(2) and 39(A) of Goa's Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act in the High Court. The forum, led by convener Prakash Bandodkar, argues that these provisions are being misused to convert green zones illegally, which poses a significant threat to Goa's environment. According to Bandodkar, the court has accepted the forum's application, and a hearing is scheduled for Thursday. The forum is requesting the court to annul these two sections and direct the government to draft a new, sustainable Regional Plan for Goa.Read more

27 Sep 2024

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently reviewed the capital expenditure plans for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, emphasizing the need for timely and efficient use of the allocated INR 28,628 crore for the financial year 2024-25. She urged officials to meet the capex targets within the designated timeframe and fully utilize the budget by year-end. Additionally, Sitharaman highlighted the importance of urban transport, calling for progress on the Metro Rail and Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) projects to address urban housing needs effectively.Read more

27 Sep 2024

The Enforcement Directorate's Lucknow unit conducted extensive raids on multiple premises linked to former Noida CEO Mohinder Singh and various builders as part of a money laundering investigation. Following the Allahabad High Court's directives, the ED focused on Hacienda Projects Private Limited (HPPL) and its promoters, who allegedly diverted investors' and home buyers' funds, failing to deliver promised flats. During the searches, assets worth approximately INR 4.256 billion were seized, including cash, gold, diamond jewelry, and property documents, highlighting the significant scale of the alleged fraud affecting home buyers of the Lotus 300 Projects in Noida.Read more

27 Sep 2024

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-II ordered the State Bank of India to refund INR 6,628 with 6% interest to Ravi Choudhary, who complained about improper deductions from his savings account. The commission found the bank guilty of "deficiency in service" and directed it to pay INR 10,000 in compensation. Choudhary's home loan application faced delays due to legal verification issues, and despite paying fees in cash, SBI deducted the amount without his consent. The bank claimed the fees were his responsibility, but the commission sided with Choudhary, emphasising consumer rights.Read more

26 Sep 2024

The Telangana government has launched the Telangana MSME Policy 2024 with an INR4,000 crore investment over the next five years to boost the state's Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. The policy focuses on six key areas, including land accessibility, finance, raw materials, labor market flexibility, technology adoption, and market access. It aims to establish 25,000 new MSMEs, promote green technologies, and increase e-commerce penetration. By prioritizing procurement from SC/ST and women-owned businesses, the policy positions Telangana as a leading MSME hub in India.Read more

26 Sep 2024

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has yet to take action on 387 dilapidated buildings identified in a 2022 survey with the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA). Despite issuing notices to 100 structures, no demolitions have taken place, leaving dangerous buildings with exposed reinforcements and cracked roofs across areas like Anna Nagar, Ambattur, and George Town. Many of these buildings still house residents, complicating efforts due to ongoing litigations between owners and builders. Under the 2020 Tamil Nadu Urban Local Body Rules, the GCC is required to conduct structural stability assessments. Officials said a fresh survey of dilapidated buildings is expected to begin soon.Read more

26 Sep 2024

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Centre, Delhi's Lieutenant Governor, and other authorities to respond to concerns about the Kusumpur Pahadi rehabilitation scheme by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The project aims to build 2,800 homes on nearly 19 acres of land currently housing slum dwellers. However, since this area is part of the Aravali Biodiversity Park, a protected green zone, concerns have been raised about its environmental impact. The NGT stressed that the project's effects on the environment need to be carefully reviewed.Read more

26 Sep 2024

The Andhra Pradesh High Court refused to stay the demolitions being carried out by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) in the coastal regulation zone (CRZ-1) area near Bheemunipatnam. The court directed the GVMC to not yield to political pressure and ensure the removal of all illegal constructions from the ecologically sensitive area. The court had earlier ordered the GVMC to take action against illegal constructions following a public interest litigation (PIL) petition. The court rejected the arguments of the senior counsel, who claimed the construction was done with due permission in the CRZ-2 area.Read more