13 Sep 2023

The Orissa High Court has issued new orders to the additional district magistrate (ADM) in Cuttack under the Odisha Protection of Interest of Depositors (OPID) Act. These orders are related to initiating refunds for investors who deposited up to Rs 8,000 with GLP Developers Limited and Golden Land Developers Limited. These two companies faced controversy over allegedly collecting Rs 590.68 crore through their branch offices. The recent order, issued on September 1st, modifies a previous one from May 20, 2022, focusing on small investors. The court's decision comes after ongoing legal battles and protests by discontented depositors, seeking timely refunds of their investments. The modified order seeks to provide relief to these investors by ensuring the release of at least Rs. 8,000 each to identified investors within two months.Read more

13 Sep 2023

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has deferred its decision on the conversion of leasehold commercial and industrial properties in Chandigarh, citing the need for more information. In an affidavit presented to the Supreme Court, the MHA emphasized the importance of making the decision "at the right juncture" and highlighted the lack of specific details in the Chandigarh administration's proposal. The MHA also mentioned ongoing inter-departmental discussions regarding penalties for building violations and misuse of premises in Chandigarh. The delay, which has been ongoing for months, leaves Chandigarh residents waiting for a resolution on these crucial issues, despite previous assurances of progress.Read more

12 Sep 2023

The Maharashtra government's directorate of municipal administration has requested clarity from the Deolali Cantonment Board regarding various crucial matters in the plan to exclude civilian areas from the cantonment and merge them with a neighbouring civic body. Issues include geographical continuity, floor space index (FSI), salary and pension burdens of employees, taxation rates, infrastructure values, and revenue matters. The directorate will make its final recommendation on the merger once these issues are clarified, and the state government will then communicate it to the Ministry of Defence. This process may also apply to Aurangabad Cantonment.Read more

12 Sep 2023

The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) is considering a policy shift to benefit real estate developers. In an upcoming board meeting, they may eliminate penal interest on financial dues for housing projects along the Yamuna Expressway and introduce a 'zero period' for projects mired in legal disputes with local farmers. The one-time settlement (OTS) policy under discussion could exempt realtors from accumulated penal interest, providing relief to developers and around 7,000 homebuyers awaiting project completion. YEIDA's move responds to appeals from developers and aims to recover an estimated ?9,000 crore in outstanding financial dues, although partial payments may be required to qualify for the interest waiver.Read more

12 Sep 2023

The Telangana High Court has issued a significant stay order against a state revenue secretary's memo, allowing apartment associations to register under the Telangana Societies Registration Act, side lining the Cooperatives Societies Act. The decision followed a petition by a resident, Madamanchi Ramesh Babu, who argued that the memo favoured real estate developers over apartment residents and lacked transparency. The memo's impact raised concerns about financial mismanagement and neglect of residents' welfare. The court's move is a pivotal step in safeguarding apartment residents' rights and interests, emphasizing the need for a balanced regulatory framework. It remains to be seen how this decision will shape the future of apartment association registration in Telangana.Read more

12 Sep 2023

In a complex administrative and legal development, the Estate Officer of the Union Territory (UT) has issued directives to address building violations and misuse concerns related to Plot No. 24 in the Industrial Area, Phase 1, owned by Berkeley Realtech Ltd. The situation began with an inspection directive and later took a turn when Berkeley Realtech's advocate cited a Punjab and Haryana High Court order from August 28, seeking an extension and consolidated resolution for notices. In response, the Estate Officer instructed Berkeley Realtech to provide a comprehensive reply by September 11 and mandated a building inspection, emphasizing transparency. This ongoing saga involves property sealing and environmental compensation, marking a critical phase of scrutiny and resolution.Read more

12 Sep 2023

The Bombay High Court has rejected a plea by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MLA Ravindra Waikar, along with his wife Manisha and three others, challenging the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) decision to cancel permission for the development of land designated for a five-star hotel in Jogeshwari (East). The court questioned the initial permission granted by BMC officials and why no action was taken against those officials when the permission was later revoked. The dispute arose from an agreement made in 2004, and the court found that the petitioners had concealed key clauses, leading to the rejection of their plea.Read more

12 Sep 2023

The recent decision by the High Court regarding the Jilling Estate in Nainital has granted permission for third-party landowners to engage in construction activities within the 36-acre area. However, this permission comes with stringent conditions, closely aligned with environmental guidelines. The Court emphasized the role of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) in monitoring and ensuring compliance with commitments, including a strict limit on the total built-up area. The government is tasked with reporting violations, highlighting the commitment to environmental safeguarding. Moreover, the decision underscores that the construction permit does not exempt developers from obtaining necessary legal permissions, emphasizing adherence to the rule of law and responsible development.Read more

11 Sep 2023

The Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra government have been directed by the Supreme Court to retain the current housing status for conservancy workers who have long yearned for home ownership. Due to BMC intentions to revamp the colonies as part of the Ashray Yojana Program, many workers who reside in BMC colonies have received eviction notices. The workers' union requests owning apartments in accordance with government directives, but the BMC has not implemented these suggestions. While the greater housing issue for conservancy employees is yet unresolved, the Supreme Court's interim injunction offers transient relief.Read more

11 Sep 2023

A Vadodara-based builder, Manish Patel, faced jail time and homelessness for failing to deliver possession of properties to buyers in his schemes for over six years. The Gujarat High Court temporarily stayed the Gujarat Real Estate Regulatory Authority's (GujRERA) property attachment and sealing order, providing relief to Patel's family. The court intervened after Patel assured he would deposit the Rs 1.48 crore compensation demanded by RERA for delayed possessions. Patel's house was spared from auction, but he must deposit 30% of the compensation within four weeks and the full amount in seven to eight months. Further hearings are scheduled in a month.Read more