Residents of DLF areas in Gurugram protest against demolition orders

4/24/2025 10:17:00 AM

Gurgaon: Residents of DLF areas on Wednesday staged a protest seeking govt intervention in preventing demolition of their homes during chief minister Nayab Singh Saini's visit to a grievance redressal meeting in Civil Lines. The CM, who interacted with the protesters and accepted their memorandum, also met with representatives of all five DLF phases at the PWD rest house after the meeting and assured them that their issues would be addressed. Soon after, teams from CID visited the DLF phases to assess the on-ground situation. They are to submit a detailed report to the CM within two days, sources confirmed. Protesters, who raised concerns over the recent sealing notices issued by DTCP in view of the alleged illegal constructions on their properties, said authorities were targeting genuine homeowners alongside commercial violators. The DTCP action followed a Punjab and Haryana high court order directing the department to act against unauthorised constructions and illegal commercial activities in DLF areas. Meanwhile, protesters said some among them had invested their life savings to purchase EWS category plots and build homes on them. Construction rules may have been violated, they said, but the govt should regularise the houses by issuing orders for some modifications instead of demolition. Vipin Kumar of DLF-2 said, "We are in stress due to these notices. We are not criminals—we're ordinary families. If the govt intervenes, thousands of people here can be saved from losing their homes." A DLF-1 resident Baljeet Rathee said, "We built our homes with our hard-earned savings. We never imagining that one day we'd face demolition notices. All we ask for is the govt to give us a chance to rectify the irregularities and regularise our properties." Floors over the permissible limit were built in some cases, residents said, but if the govt revised the rules, they would remove the illegal portions. Meanwhile, cabinet minister Rao Narbir Singh also commented on the issue, stating that while the govt would explore all possible avenues of relief for the residents, court orders must be followed. "Action will be taken against those who have built seven-storey houses. I am firmly against encroachments," he said. Source : Times of India INDIA

Chandigarh administration reduces property tax hike after outrage

4/24/2025 10:16:00 AM

Chandigarh: Following outrage among all sections of society, the Chandigarh administration on Wednesday slightly reduced the hike in property tax rates, announced on March 31 and implemented from April 1. The UT had gone ahead with steep hike in tax rates for both commercial and residential properties. The UT local bodies department issued the notification of revised property tax rates on Wednesday evening, giving some relief to taxpayers. As per the revised notification, 3 times hike in property tax on residential properties was reduced to two times. In the commercial segment, 6% of the annual rateable value was decreased to 5%. In case of Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) flats, Cooperative House Building Societies, and other residential flats (excluding SCFs), having a total covered area of 500 square feet and above within MC limits (irrespective of zones), the revised rate of the total covered area was decreased to Rs 2 per square foot from Rs 3 per square foot for the current financial year of 2025-2026. Residential taxpayers from Sector 1 to Sector 19 and Sector 26 to 28 will now have to pay Rs 5 per square yard on the vacant plot area and Rs 2.50 per square foot on the total covered area on all the floors. Earlier, it was Rs 7.5 per square yard on the vacant plot area and Rs 3.75 on the total covered area on all the floors. Taxpayers from Sector 20 to sector 25, sector 29 to 38, Modern Housing Complex Manimajra Industrial areas, and all SCFs situated within MC limits will now have to pay Rs 4 per square yard on the vacant plot area and Rs 2 per square foot on the total covered area on all the floors. Earlier, it was Rs 6 per square yard on the vacant plot area and Rs 3 per square foot on the total covered area on all the floors. MC's annual earning to come down With this revision in property tax in residential and commercial segments, the Chandigarh municipal corporation expects to earn approximately Rs 70 crore in annual revenue instead of the earlier expected Rs 90 crore. As per records, there are around 1.42 lakh properties in Chandigarh. Out of these, around 1.12 lakh properties are residential and the remaining 30,000 are commercial properties. ‘It's all due to BJP' The BJP said the decrease in property tax hike is the result of party's efforts. The BJP said mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla, along with BJP leaders, persistently raised the issue of the steep property tax hike, voicing concerns of the common people and tirelessly advocating for their financial well-being. The matter was taken up at multiple levels, with continuous dialogue and meetings involving residents, traders, public representatives, and Chandigarh administration. ‘UT, BJP was on backfoot' Not satisfied with the tax hike reduction, Chandigarh Congress demanded a complete rollback of the hike. Chandigarh Congress president H S Lucky said Congress demands a complete rollback of the increased property tax as it was hiked arbitrarily without following due procedure. "This much reduction has also happened because of the sustained pressure built by Chandigarh Congress and general public. The BJP and Chandigarh administration were on the backfoot because of the continuous agitation launched by the Congress," he said. MP demands complete rollback Terming the way the UT first made a steep hike and then slightly reduced the tax as arbitrary and not in accordance with processes and procedures, Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari demanded a complete rollback of the tax hike and asked the UT to give a 30% budget share to the MC. He said, "Property taxes were levied without any structured consultation with public representatives or the people of Chandigarh acting through their respective RWAs. The tax proposals were never placed before or deliberated by the house tax committee or general house of the MC. The relevant agenda item was placed before the house and then withdrawn without an iota of discussion. "The Chandigarh Administration imposed the house tax suo moto and has now reduced it suo moto. Due process of consultation, deliberation, and discussion was never followed when the original notification was promulgated. This is precisely what happened when the Chandigarh Administration, without hearing the General House of the MC, annulled the free water resolution passed by the General House of the Municipal Corporation, which was in turn annulled by the General House of the Municipal Corporation subsequently. That matter now rests in a state of splendid animation," he said. Tewari said, "The Congress demands the complete rollback of the property tax levied and demands that 30% of the funds received by the Chandigarh administration via the Union Budget must be an automatic pass-through to the MC without any hindrance, as is the norm laid down by various Finance Commissions." Source : Times of India INDIA

Noida authority threatens to cancel AOA registrations over sewage disposal into drains

4/23/2025 10:28:00 AM

Noida: Noida Authority has threatened to cancel registrations of apartment owners' associations (AOAs) if societies continue to discharge untreated sewage into stormwater drains. The warning follows multiple fines and even FIRs, which failed to rein in highrises violating environmental norms with impunity. "Societies flouting sewage treatment norms will face not just FIRs but complete deregistration of their AOAs. We will urge the registrar of firms, societies, and chits in Meerut to implement these measures," said Lokesh M, the Authority CEO. He highlighted the gravity of the situation, saying overflowing sewage had led to persistent foul odour across the city. "The issue is now a matter of grave environmental concern and urban hygiene. Improper disposal of sewage is the main reason behind the foul smell emanating from several parts of the city. Societies must take responsibility," Lokesh M added. The Authority has already set the wheels in motion, writing to the registrar's office in Meerut against a residential society and one institution. An inspection on Monday revealed that Lotus Panache in Sector 110 continued to release untreated sewage into drains — despite a warning to its management two months ago —causing it to overflow onto service roads. "Despite flagging this issue a couple of months ago, no corrective action was taken. The CEO has now asked for a permanent solution within three days," an official said. Similarly, Maharishi Ashram in Sector 110 was found violating environmental norms. Officials ordered the sealing of sewer lines for both these establishments and initiated FIR proceedings against them. Notices will also be issued on maintenance agencies for these environmental violations. The crackdown has been in place for some time now. Earlier this month, the Authority urged local police stations to register FIRs against seven societies — RG Residency (Sector 120), Sikka Karmik (Sector 78), Lotus Boulevard (Sector 100), Purvanchal Royal Park (Sector 137), Aims Max Gardenia (Sector 75), Prateek Stylome (Sector 45), and Amrapali Silicon City (Sector 76) — for allegedly operating without functional STPs. Despite earlier fines exceeding Rs 1 crore in total, these societies showed little improvement in compliance. "We are now moving towards cancelling the registrations of AOAs and their builders," an official said. Environmental impact assessments have revealed that untreated waste from these societies was ultimately contaminating the Yamuna and Hindon, severely affecting groundwater quality as well. "Lakhs are spent annually to clean the city's drains, yet they emit foul odour because of untreated discharge. The problem lies with societies bypassing environmental norms," CEO Lokesh M said. He pointed out that despite coordinated efforts with UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) and multiple meetings with committees formed to ensure adherence to norms, enforcement had been lax. "Still, there are many societies discharging wastewater into drains," the CEO said, reminding all stakeholders that the National Green Tribunal has made it mandatory for every residential society to have a functional STP. Residents, however, questioned the fairness of blanket penalties on AOAs. Rajiva Singh, president of NOFAA, called for a more nuanced approach. "Many societies are still under the control of developers. Here, AOAs have limited authority over facility management, including STPs. We support any such action against long-standing independent AOAs that have failed to act, but a careful analysis is crucial before implementing punitive measures," he added. With nearly 100 residential societies housing lakhs of residents, officials said the Authority remained committed to identifying violators and ensuring environmental compliance with a combination of fines, FIRs, and cancellation of AOA registrations, if needed. Source : Times of India INDIA

Over 6,000 slum residents in Chandigarh face demolition

4/23/2025 10:27:00 AM

Chandigarh: Once again, residents of a slum in Chandigarh will lose their houses as the administration carries out a major demolition drive to reclaim six acres of land in Industrial Area, Phase 1 on Wednesday. The administration's effort to go "slum-free" has evoked strong reactions from people who call the hutments their home. Slated for demolition, Sanjay Colony in Industrial Area, Phase-1, is a bustling cluster of 6,000 people living in 1,200 hutments. The land, which belongs to the UT engineering department, is estimated to be worth more than Rs 200 crore. A total of 10 teams have been constituted for the drive, for which 1,000 police personnel have been deployed to quell disruption from residents being evicted. Two sub-divisional magistrates and five duty magistrates will also be part of the drive, during which the deputy commissioner (DC) and senior superintendent of police (SSP) will be present. "To ensure safety of people being evicted from the site, civil defence teams will be present. Ambulances and paramedics have also been deputed at the site for the duration of the drive," said DC/estate officer Nishant Kumar Yadav. ‘What can poor people do?' Opposing the eviction and demolition, residents of Sanjay Colony staged a protest and blocked the road in front of the colony for nearly three hours. They removed the blockade after the police and SDM assured them that their concerns would be considered. A resident, Deepak Kumar, said, "While some people have been able to arrange alternative housing, many have failed to get rented houses. We are particularly concerned about families having girl children but what can poor people do? We have to shift as our houses will be demolished. All we requested was for some more time so that we could arrange alternative accommodation." ‘Fair Opportunity Given' The estate office organised a camp for residents to submit their papers to be eligible for housing under slum rehabilitation schemes. "Around 40 persons came to the camp claiming that they were eligible for rehabilitation housing. However, none of them could submit requisite documents or substantiate their claims. Earlier also, the administration, as per the directions of the Punjab and Haryana high court, gave colony dwellers an opportunity to put their claims forward. After such hearings, the administration finally decided to remove encroachments from the land," said a senior UT official. The administration conducted a biometric survey in 2005-2006 in slum areas of the city with the aim of relocating eligible residents. The survey included collection of thumb impressions, photographs and voter identity cards of residents seeking rehabilitation, besides physical verification. To be eligible for alternative housing, residents had to prove that they had been living in the colony at the time of the survey and also continuous residency in Chandigarh thereafter until allotment. Making City Slum-Free The administration aims to make the city slum- free. The last major slum demolition drive was undertaken in May, 2022, when the city's largest slum cluster at the time, Colony Number 4, was demolished. In the process, the administration vacated around 65 acres of govt land, estimated to be worth Rs 2,000 crore. Colony Number 4 housed around 10,000 people, who lived in over 2,500 shanties built over the past 50 years. Of these, 3,000 families were rehabilitated. Thereafter, the only major slum clusters left in the city are Sanjay Colony and Janta Colony. After the demolition drive of Sanjay Colony, the administration plans to demolish Janta Colony in Sector 25 within the next 15 days. Razing of Sanjay Colony —Sanjay Colony in Industrial Area, Phase-1, has 1,200 hutments with a population of 6,000 —A total of 10 teams have been constituted for the drive —Total 1,000 police personnel have been deployed to quell disruption from residents being evicted —Two sub-divisional magistrates and five duty magistrates will also be part of the drive, during which DC and SSP will be present ‘Only wanted time' While some people have been able to arrange alternative housing, many have failed to get rented houses. We are particularly concerned about families having girl children but what can poor people do? We have to shift as our houses will be demolished. All we requested was for some more time so that we could arrange alternative accommodation Deepak Kumar | Area resident ‘Papers not submitted' Around 40 persons came to the camp claiming that they were eligible for rehabilitation housing. However, none could submit requisite documents or substantiate their claims. Earlier also, the administration, as per directions of the Punjab and Haryana high court, gave colony dwellers an opportunity to put their claims forward. After such hearings, the administration finally decided to remove encroachments from the land. Source : Times of India INDIA

Illegal constructions demolished along Patiala Ki Rao in Nayagaon, Mohali

4/22/2025 10:17:00 AM

Source : Times of India Illegal constructions demolished along Patiala Ki Rao in Nayagaon, Mohali Mohali: In a major crackdown on illegal encroachments, the department of drainage and mining on Sunday carried out a demolition drive along the banks of the Patiala Ki Rao rivulet in Nayagaon, Mohali. The operation targeted unauthorized farmhouses, riverside eateries, dhabas, and other illegal constructions along the Chandigarh borders that had encroached upon the river's natural course. The drive began around 11.30 am under the supervision of drainage and mining executive engineer Akash Aggarwal and was backed by officials from various departments, including duty magistrate and tehsildar Mohali, Akshay Kundra. Nayagaon SHO inspector Gurmehar Singh Sidhu accompanied the team with a force of 30 police personnel to ensure smooth execution. Acting on reports of illegal occupation of approximately 195 feet of the river's width, the team, equipped with two JCB machines, demolished multiple structures that had come up on the riverbed. "Notices were issued to all encroachers, including farmhouse and eatery owners, but they failed to comply. These illegal constructions disrupt the river's natural flow, increasing the risk of floods. This demolition was necessary," said Akash Aggarwal. The demolition squad, which included SDO Pradeep Kumar, JEs Hardeep Singh, Deepak, and Harman, along with patwari Mandeep Singh, razed down several unauthorized structures and illegal mines. Among the structures demolished was a house located on the Karoran village road, allegedly built by a former officer. Officials said while the front portion stood on private land, the rear of the building had illegally extended onto the riverbank and was taken down during the operation. Interestingly, the demolition drive proceeded without the presence of officials from the electricity department and municipal council. Aggarwal revealed that he had sent prior written requests for disconnection of electricity and water supplies to prevent any untoward incidents during demolition. However, no representatives showed up on site. Responding to the absence, PSPCL junior engineer Sandeep Sharma explained that a thunderstorm had damaged power poles near Nada bridge the previous night, and the staff was engaged in emergency restoration work. Source : Times of India INDIA

Residents of BPTP in Gurugram oppose revised building plans

4/22/2025 10:14:00 AM

Gurgaon: Residents of BPTP Park Prime and The Mansions in Sector 66 have strongly opposed the in-principle approval granted to the developer for revised building plans, alleging the developer "fraudulently secured permissions" to revise the layout and merge floor area ratios (FAR) of two separately licensed plots. "Over 230 owners have already filed formal objections to the extension of the licence and the in-principle approval of revised plans. We are seeking immediate cancellation and a complete halt to all construction," Rajiv Kapur, a resident, said. Senior town planner Renuka Singh confirmed that in-principle approval was issued, adding, "As per the policy, the developer is required to invite objections through public notices." Repeated requests by TOI failed to elicit response from the developer. The residents have written to the chief minister, the department of town and country planning and HRERA, seeking their intervention in the matter. The residents have said no consultation was carried out with them, which is in violation of govt norms. The residents have raised concerns about potential environmental and fire safety hazards, loss of privacy and a severe dilution of open and green spaces within the housing complex. Calling the FAR merger illegal, the Residents' Welfare Association (RWA) alleged the new construction plans would lead to the misuse of existing infrastructure and amenities, which were designed to support the original layout. "No further construction should be allowed without written consent from at least two-thirds of the residents," said the RWA, which has called for a fresh environmental impact assessment for the proposed additions. Acting president of the RWA Sanjay Sapru said, "We will not allow our community to be compromised by fraudulent approvals and coercive tactics. We have already escalated the matter to regulatory bodies, and if required, we will knock on the doors of the judiciary." The association has also accused the developer of failing to deliver on several promised facilities such as a clubhouse, a 33 KVA switching station, service roads, and solar infrastructure. The group housing project was launched in 2008, with phased possession handed over between 2014 and 2020. Residents say that despite a long wait, essential infrastructure remains incomplete. Renuka Singh said, "After the stipulated time , we will review objections received. The allottees and the developer will be granted a hearing. The proceedings, along with the objections, will be submitted to the authority. The approval for the revised plan will be decided on the merit—or unmerit—of the objections," she said. Source : Times of India INDIA

Delhi civic body begins crackdown on illegal high-rise buildings in Shakti Vihar

4/21/2025 10:16:00 AM

New Delhi, Apr 20 (PTI) The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has begun clamping down on illegal high-rise constructions in unauthorised colonies and initiated strict action against erring officials after a building collapsed in the northeastern part of the city. Eleven people, including three children, were killed after a two-decade-old four-storey building collapsed in Shakti Vihar in the early hours of Saturday. The incident also left 11 persons injured. It was located in an area which was part of an unauthorised colony. A closer look into the buildings of the area has revealed that several of them were five to six-storey tall, which were in violation of safety norms. “The moot point is how such massive unauthorised constructions mushroomed in the first place,” the civic body said in a statement, adding the matter warranted a detailed inquiry. MCD officials said that in unauthorised colonies, building plans are not sanctioned and property owners continue to add floors without any concern for structural load or public safety. The building that collapsed was said to be old and structurally weak. The civic body said that it would pull down a property adjoining the collapsed building that had already been marked for demolition to avoid further risks. In response to the allegations of a breach of norms that came to the fore following the building collapse, the civic body kickstarted a survey to identify and seal similarly dangerous structures in the area. So far, 15 properties have been identified for action. The civic body has also initiated disciplinary measures against its staff found guilty of negligence. Officials said that a junior engineer, who was posted in the area between March 2019 and August 2021 and faced multiple disciplinary proceedings earlier, has been removed from service. Action, including dismissal or compulsory retirement, has been taken against three more officials, they said. Another junior engineer, posted in the area since November 28, 2024, has been transferred to another department to enable a fair probe. A show-cause notice has been served to him. The MCD stressed that the survey will continue in Nehru Vihar and similar densely populated neighbourhoods to identify buildings with five or more floors, whose structural integrity remains doubtful. Source: The Print INDIA

Ludhiana: LIT awaits approval for residential & commercial scheme

4/21/2025 10:15:00 AM

Ludhiana: Two years on, Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) officials are still waiting for approval for their plan to launch a new scheme on the pattern of South City. Under this scheme, LIT was supposed to develop residential as well as commercial pockets towards Lohara side. Authorities are waiting for approval from the local bodies department but despite many reminders, they have not received a response. Authorities planned the scheme in 2023 and hired a consultant for the purpose. Officials claimed that various commercial activities were going on towards South City and the city was growing alongside the canal, so they needed to find another place with scope for development. LIT officials planned to launch a green industry/residence scheme. LIT chairman Tarsem Bhinder and other officials visited Lohara, Jaspal Banger, and adjoining locations before finalising things. Officials planned to acquire at least 100 acres of land for the purpose. Sources said that officials were considering implementing the scheme through land pooling. LIT wants to develop hotels, restaurants, theatres, etc., with residential areas at the back. Chairman Bhinder said, "Planning was done from our side and a resolution was forwarded to the local bodies department to start the land acquisition process, but somehow, we have not received a response yet." Notably, LIT has also sent a proposal to hand over existing areas to the MC for maintenance as LIT does not have the required staff and machinery. Officials are of the opinion that LIT is only meant for development of various schemes and not for maintenance work. The proposal has gone to the local bodies department for its approval and LIT officials will go ahead as soon as they get the go-ahead. Residents in these localities are troubled by poor services and want the MC to take over their areas. When these scheme areas are transferred to the MC, LIT will not have any other major project in hand, except for Atal Apartments. Source : Times of India INDIA

Flat owners’ body in Ghaziabad seeks more power to hold RWA polls, address disputes

4/19/2025 11:00:00 AM

Ghaziabad: Flat Owners' Federation in Ghaziabad proposed greater authority under UP Apartment bylaws during a meeting with district magistrate Deepak Meena. The federation said they wanted to manage housing society disputes and elections across 400 complexes. Federation representatives put forth several civic and environmental concerns, called for a formal role in overseeing housing society governance and highlighted the need for decentralised and citizen-led solutions to improve urban living. "Our federation can play a significant role in maintaining harmony among RWAs and ensuring timely and fair elections across societies. With over 400 societies conducting elections annually, the process often becomes chaotic. If powers are delegated under Section 48, we can streamline this efficiently," said federation chairman Col (Retd) TP Tyagi. The federation also raised the issue of pollution and urged the administration to involve civil society in monitoring industrial units. "Surprise checks of Effluent Treatment Plants by citizen groups will not only ensure compliance but also foster greater transparency. Pollution is a pressing concern in Ghaziabad, and we are ready to support the administration in mitigating it," another representative said. District magistrate Meena said the suggestions will be considered by the administration. "The proposal for federation involvement under Section 48 will be examined as per the rules, and coordination with relevant departments will be done. Pollution control is also a top priority, and we will soon call a separate meeting with officials to work on a focused action plan," he said. Source : Times of India INDIA

Chandigarh civic body to call up top 100 property taxpayers to boost collection

4/18/2025 10:37:00 AM

Chandigarh: At a time when every political party, including the ruling BJP, has come out strongly against the steep hike in property tax, officials of Chandigarh municipal corporation are going the extra mile to maximise tax collection during the two-month rebate period. As part of the exercise, the officials have initiated a strategy to personally contact the city's top 100 taxpayers, encouraging them to clear their dues between April and May to benefit from the tax rebate. The tax branch staff, responsible for property tax matters, will reach out to these high-value taxpayers to ensure they submit their payments during the current rebate period. These substantial payments primarily originate from commercial properties within the city. Officials said the majority of these top 100 high-value taxpayers belong to the commercial sector. Officials have begun distributing property tax bills across all categories through MC staff, with the decision to identify and contact the top 100 high-value taxpayers being finalised on Wednesday. This initiative aims to secure substantial revenue through property tax in the initial two months of the financial year, supporting crucial MC expenditures. Revenue from water charges and property tax, being major income sources, is essential for necessary expenses alongside the grant-in-aid (GiA) received from the Chandigarh administration. Residential property owners can avail a 20% rebate, while commercial property owners receive a 10% rebate by paying their property tax during April and May. The MC has stipulated that failure to pay within this period will result in a 25% penalty on the total calculated property tax, plus 12% interest. The authority anticipates significant tax collection during these initial two months of the new financial year. Box: Tax collection Since April 1, the MC has collected over Rs 3 crore in property tax till Wednesday. Currently, Chandigarh has approximately 1.42 lakh properties registered for the current financial year, comprising 1.12 lakh residential and 30,000 commercial properties. Recent physical surveys have identified additional properties, predominantly residential, which have been included in the current financial year's records. Source : Times of India INDIA

Noida: GNIDA recommends suspension of six officials for irregularities in plot allotment

4/17/2025 10:29:00 AM

Noida: Greater Noida Authority has recommended the suspension of six officials, including managers and assistant managers, for alleged irregularities and procedural violations in the allotment of residential plots under a scheme launched two years ago. In Feb, the Authority had recommended the suspension of five more officials, including an SDM, over similar allegations. In 2023, a scheme for residential plots, spanning 9,660 square metres, was launched by the Greater Noida Authority at Patwari village in Sector 2. Applications were called in and allotment letters issued, despite the Authority having possession of just 1,660 square metres. The issue came to light when two of the allottees found that the plots for which they were issued allotment letters in April 2023, executed lease deeds and given possession certificates between Nov 2023 and Jan 2024, officially did not belong to the Authority. In a case filed last Nov in the Allahabad High Court, the allottees claimed they made full payment for the plots but were informed 80% of the land mentioned in the scheme was still in the possession of farmers. The allottees claimed they had repeatedly requested the Authority to either hand over the plots originally allotted to them or alternative ones, but did not get any resolution. In a Jan 23 order, a high court bench of justices Manoj Kumar Gupta and Anish Kumar Gupta expressed strong displeasure over the Greater Noida Authority's actions, terming it as a "misrepresentation and deceit". GNIDA had then told the court it did not have any vacant land to offer to the two plaintiffs, and instead, proposed to refund the money with 4% simple interest, as mentioned in a clause of the brochure. The court, however, found the response unsatisfactory. The bench said it was "incomprehensible" that such a large-scale scheme was advertised and executed without physical verification and legal ownership of the land. It observed the Authority's stand was "inconsistent"—initially exploring the option of alternative plots but later backtracking—which reflected a "lack of transparency" and "accountability". The bench described the Authority's conduct as "arbitrary and reckless", questioning how the Authority could advertise, allot, and lease plots of land over which it had no legal claim. It also sought an explanation from the Authority's CEO, asking why exemplary damages should not be imposed and officials responsible for the mismanagement should not be held accountable. "We require the CEO of the Authority to file an affidavit and show cause as to why the Authority and its officers should not face exemplary damages for having acted in such a reckless and fraudulent manner, and why responsibility of the officers for such an act should not be fixed. The CEO of the Authority in his reply shall disclose the names of officers who were responsible for advertising the plots and undertaking the exercise relating to the execution of lease deeds without confirming the title of the Authority over it," the Jan 23 order read. In response to the court's order, CEO Ravi Kumar NG submitted a detailed affidavit, internal note sheets and copies of the recommendations to the govt for the suspension of five officials. During the March 19 hearing, Kumar informed the court that a seven-member committee, headed by additional CEOs Saumya Srivastav and Sreelakshmy VS, constituted to recommend remedial measures, had suggested that alternative plots would be allotted to the affected allottees, subject to their consent to surrender the originally allotted ones. Based on its findings, the committee, which met on Feb 11, recommended the suspension of five officials—then senior manager (civil) Praveen Salonia; then manager KM Chaudhary; general manager RK Dev, and Jitendra Singh Birwal, who was then posted as tehsildar and is currently serving as SDM. A surveyor was also suspended. The panel noted the five officials had "failed in their duty to ensure due diligence in land verification and in the land acquisition process". In the March hearing, the HC bench asked GNIDA to file an affidavit stating whether there was a policy or guideline that required the Authority to identify and verify land before advertising it for allotment or auction. It also asked the Authority to clarify if any such guideline was followed for allotting plots under the 2023 scheme. The high court also asked UP govt to file an action taken report against these five officials. On April 7, the state govt wrote to GNIDA, seeking a detailed report and the names of all officials found prima facie guilty. In a letter on April 11, GNIDA recommended disciplinary action against six more officials—then assistant manager (project) Vaibhav Nagar, then manager (project) Manoj Dhariwal; assistant law officer Vandana Raghav, then manager (law department) Atul Shukla, then senior draftsman (planning department) Suresh Kumar, and then senior executive (planning department) W Sukhbir Singh. While the court heard the matter on Wednesday, the details were not immediately available. Source : Times of India INDIA

Noida may see its first circle rate revision in two days

4/16/2025 10:50:00 AM

Noida: The district administration is set to announce in two days its first circle rate revision in nearly a decade. It was earlier this year that the administration proposed a substantial increase across various property categories. The most notable changes included a 30% hike for flats in Greater Noida and Greater Noida West, while Noida's condominiums are faced with a 20% increase. The decision, according to officials, followed multiple consultations with stakeholders. Feedback from residents were also considered. Homebuyers, who submitted the majority of objections, urged the administration to retain existing rates for ongoing registrations, citing financial stress. However, they did not attend the public hearing of theses objections, held at the collectorate in Surajpur on April 7. "We are in the final stages of preparing the updated list. It will be declared over the next two days," DM Manish Verma told TOI. tnn Sources suggested that any reduction in the proposed rates was unlikely. "While most rates are being retained as proposed, the administration may consider a revision in a few villages where objections were supported by local SDMs. These changes, however, will be marginal," said a senior official in the stamp department. According to officials, the new rates — hiked after a gap of nine years — are likely to come into effect by April 20. Authorities have increased rates across all land categories, including residential, commercial, industrial, IT, and agricultural properties. The hike ranges from 15% to 70%, depending on the location and land use. Officials said the revision of circle rates was needed in keeping with rising property prices and to ensure a higher compensation for farmers whose land is being acquired for development projects. Source : Times of India INDIA

Noida residents raise civic infrastructure issues with Uttar Pradesh minister

4/15/2025 10:21:00 AM

Noida: A delegation of Noida residents under the banner of the Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Associations (FONRWA) met Uttar Pradesh industrial development minister Nand Gopal Nandi in Lucknow over the weekend, raising concerns about the city's civic infrastructure, lack of affordable housing, and persistent public utility issues. Residents pointed out that despite Noida's rapid population growth, the expansion of civic amenities has not kept pace. Several areas continue to face waterlogging, overflowing sewers, and power disruptions, with the 17km-long open Kondli drain cited as a major contributor to unhygienic conditions and damage to electrical appliances in adjacent sectors. FONRWA president Yogendra Sharma said the meeting was productive, adding that the minister heard them "patiently" and assured the delegation that he would soon visit Noida to assess the situation firsthand. "He said he plans to meet both residents and officials from the Noida Authority to discuss the public interest issues we raised," Sharma added. The delegation also highlighted the lack of affordable housing in the city. Sharma said that while the Noida Authority periodically launches residential and industrial plot schemes, these are auction-based and typically require lump- sum payments, making them inaccessible to most middle-class residents. "We urged the minister toschemes like Pradhan Mantri or Mukhyamantri Awasiya Yojna with instalment- based options to promote inclusive housing," he said. Source : Times of India INDIA

Haryana RERA urges DTCP to take final call on three housing projects by OSB

4/15/2025 10:19:00 AM

Gurgaon: In a move to safeguard the interests of over a thousand homebuyers, Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (H-Rera) has written to the department of town and country planning (DTCP), urging it to take a final call on the suspended licences of three affordable housing projects by Ocean Seven Buildtech Pvt Ltd (OSB). Rera has now recommended two options to the department: either restore the licences and allow OSB to complete the projects, or assign the task to another competent agency to ensure timely possession of homes to allottees. The authority has stressed that further delays could worsen the situation and lead to the deterioration of the partially developed infrastructure. DTCP had suspended these licences two years ago. The projects — located in sectors 109, 69 and 70 — were launched under affordable housing schemes and collectively cover approximately 18 acres. Rera says the promoter had submitted a resolution plan to DTCP, but a final decision is awaited, prompting the regulator to write to the latter. Licences for these projects were granted in 2016, 2018 and 2019, but due to consistent delays, irregularities and non-compliance with regulatory norms, all three licences were suspended by DTCP on Feb 23, 2023. The suspension was accompanied by a freeze on the developer's bank accounts to protect the allottees' funds. Over the past year, Rera received numerous complaints from allottees, many of whom invested through personal savings or home loans under PMAY. Complaints allege misuse of funds, failure to renew licences and non-payment of external development charges (EDC) by the developer. With the projects stuck for over a year and no clear direction on resumption, affected families are facing growing anxiety and financial distress. Source : Times of India INDIA

Buyers seek government's help to resume work on stalled housing project in Gurugram

4/14/2025 10:06:00 AM

Gurgaon: Scores of homebuyers of Mahira Homes staged a protest at Jantar Mantar on Sunday, demanding intervention by the central govt to resume construction of their long- stalled housing project in Sector 68. More than 1400 homebuyers invested in 2017 with the hope of getting affordable homes. But seven years later, what they are left with is a skeletal structure, mounting EMIs, and rent payments — but no homes. According to them, most had invested their entire life's earnings into these houses, with 95%-100% of the payment already made to the developer. Despite the promise of receiving their flats in 2022, construction work completely halted. Spread across 10 acres of land, the project was to be delivered by Aug 2022, but it has been mired with ongoing issues. In 2022, DTCP revoked the developer's license, citing forgery and document irregularities. The situation worsened when a financial audit revealed that the developer syphoned off funds from the project's escrow account. Haryana RERA eventually cancelled the project's registration in April 2024. Buyers say they approached every authority — from DTCP and RERA to local MLAs and even the courts — but so far the issue has not been resolved. Last year, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested the Managing Director of Mahira Group, Sikander Chhoker, who was granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Feb this year. Despite a techno-feasibility report by NBCC suggesting ways to complete the project, including imposing an additional Rs 5–10 lakh burden on each buyer, they flatly rejected the idea. Source : Times of India INDIA

Chandigarh civic body starts sending property tax bills to taxpayers with revised rates in FY25

4/14/2025 10:05:00 AM

Chandigarh: After completing the due formalities, paperwork and issuing related orders, the UT Municipal Corporation has started sending property tax bills to taxpayers as per the revised rates — threefold hike for residential and twofold for commercial properties, as notified and implemented by the Chandigarh Administration for the current financial year. The civic body has sent most of the property or service charge-related bills to govt-owned properties, and has now started the process of sending the same to residential and commercial establishments. About 1.42 lakh properties fall under the ambit of property tax, so bills are being printed accordingly. Sources said instead of roping in the India Post Office, which the MC used to in the past, it has started distributing the property tax bills on its own using its staff. The distribution is in full swing, with the MC aiming to send all bills in the next seven to 10 days. This will help the taxpayers deposit their tax amount well in time to take advantage of the rebate on residential and commercial properties, the sources added. Taxpayers will get a rebate of 20% on residential properties and 10% on commercial ones if they pay their taxes within the given rebate period of two months, April and May. If they fail to do so in the stipulated period, they will have to cough up a 25% penalty on the entire amount of their calculated property tax, and will also have to pay 12% interest on the same. It is for this reason that the authority is expecting a decent property tax collection in the first two months of the ongoing fiscal. MC governing party's assurances fall flat According to MC records, it has received Rs 2 crore in property tax from this April 1 to date. Though BJP, which governs the MC, has long been assuring taxpayers of stepping up the pressure on the UT administration to bring down the revised property tax rates, it has not been able to bring them any respite so far. The UT BJP chief, city Mayor and BJP councillors also called on senior officials of the Chandigarh Administration, but to no avail. Source : Times of India INDIA

Noida: District magistrate directs officials to expedite polls' process in societies

4/12/2025 10:42:00 AM

Noida: District magistrate Manish Kumar Verma chaired a review meeting on Friday to address the issue of pending elections in AOAs, RWAs, and other registered societies across the district. Emphasising the need for timely elections, the DM directed all concerned officials to expedite the process. Elections have been delayed or never been held in at least 30 societies in GB Nagar. "Elections in housing societies and RWAs are essential for ensuring transparency, accountability, and proper representation of residents. Any delay weakens the trust of citizens in the democratic process at the local level. I instructed officials to identify all defaulting societies and ensure elections are held at the earliest," DM Verma said. Rishabh Agarwal, deputy registrar of Firms, Societies and Chits, told TOI that representatives of at least 30 societies across Noida and Greater Noida have submitted complaints that elections in their societies have been delayed or not held since the handover from the builder. Verma also directed the deputy registrar to compile a comprehensive database of all societies that did not hold elections within the mandated time frame. "We will reach out to all registered associations to verify whether elections were conducted as per rules. Defaulters will be asked to provide valid reasons for delay," he added. The district administration plans to initiate the election drive in a phased manner in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, representatives of the federation of AOA said that the move will help societies resolve disputes related to elections. "This initiative brings hope for more accountable housing management," said Rajiva Singh, president of the Noida Federation of Apartment Owners' Association (NOFAA), which represents over 80 high-rise societies in the city. Source : Times of India INDIA

Haryana CM: Gurugram Global City project to create five lakh job opportunities

4/12/2025 10:41:00 AM

Gurugram, Apr 11(PTI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday said that the Global City project to be developed in Gurugram with an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore will generate five lakh employment opportunities after its completion. The Chief Minister held a meeting with investors at the Global City project site in Gurugram on Friday. Saini said that the project, with an investment of over Rs 1 lakh crore, is expected to benefit approximately 16 lakh people. Once completed, it will generate around five lakh employment opportunities. Spread across 1,000 acres, provision of mixed- use land has been made in this project including dedicated zones for residential, commercial, hospitality, and educational institutions. He further informed that the first phase of the project, being developed as per global standards, will be completed by the end of next year. In the first phase of the project, Rs 940 crore is being spent on an area of 587 acres. The Chief Minister said that to ensure a reliable water supply for the city, a Mass Balancing Reservoir with a capacity of 350 million litres will be constructed over 18 acres. This reservoir will serve both functional and aesthetic purposes, acting as a major water storage facility while also enhancing the visual appeal of the city. Source : Times of India INDIA

HSIIDC set to auction around 200 commercial plots in Panchkula Extension

4/12/2025 10:40:00 AM

Panchkula: With limited commercial options at IT Park in Panchkula, investors are now moving to Panchkula Extension. Following a positive response for industrial and commercial plots in auctions at Barwala Industrial Estate, phase 1, the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) is set to auction around 200 commercial plots in phase 2. These plots will be available for IT, pharma, and general showroom purposes. HSIIDC previously set a reserve price of Rs 31,900 per square metre. However, it has been receiving an average of Rs 50,000-60,000 during auctions at this location and hopes to reach Rs 70,000 this time. The land being offered ranges from 450 square meters to three acres. "The place is only about 20 minutes from Panchkula. It has the advantage of its proximity to Punjab, Himachal, and Chandigarh. Thus, people from those areas are also excited about the opportunity. As this fiscal year ends on March 31, we will start the process of auctioning 200 plots at Barwala," Saurabh Singh, estate manager at HSIIDC Barwala, told TOI. "Barwala, which is being developed as Panchkula Extension II as part of the master plan, has experienced a boom in recent times. You would not find such broad roads for this commercial project elsewhere. It is also more lucrative because, apart from our site, 15 other housing and commercial projects are coming up around that area, which will further boost the property market in the Panchkula extension," said the estate manager. Previously, the plots here fetched significantly higher auction bids than the reserved prices. Officials attribute this to the placement of plots facing the highway. An official noted, "This is the best location on the highway favouring industrial units in Haryana." Officials at Panchkula Estate told TOI that at the IT Park in Sector 22, Panchkula, only about four commercial plots are vacant. Thus, there is limited scope at this IT park now. A lot is happening in the Panchkula Extension, which is catching the attention of investors. Source : Times of India INDIA

Supreme Court Orders Chandigarh Administration to Refund Rs 47.75 Crore to PFCL

4/10/2025 10:00:00 AM

New Delhi, Apr 9 (PTI) Realty firm Parsvnath Developers Ltd on Wednesday said that the Supreme Court has directed the Chandigarh administration to refund Rs 47.75 crore, along with interest, to its subsidiary firm PFCL as film city project failed to take off. According to a regulatory filing, Parsvnath Film City Ltd (PFCL) was set up to implement a Multi-media-cum-Film City project near Chandigarh on the land to be provided by the Chandigarh administration. The Chandigarh administration could not hand over the possession of the land to PFCL in terms of the said development agreement. The PFCL had sought refund of the allotment money paid, along with compensation, cost incurred, and interest thereon. "Supreme Court has allowed the appeal of PFCL, and directed Chandigarh Administration to pay PFCL the amount of initial deposit i.e. Rs 4,775 lakhs (25 per cent of bid amount) along with the interest at 8 per cent per annum from the date of deposit of bid amount," Parsvnath Developers said. The apex court has directed to pay the amount on or before June 30, 2025, it added. "In case the amount is not paid on or before June 30, 2025, the interest shall be at the rate of 12 per cent per annum," Parsvnath said. Delhi-based Parsvnath Developers has constructed many real estate projects across major cities of the country. Source : Times of India INDIA

Cabinet Approves Construction of Six –Lane Zirakpur Bypass at Rs 1878 Crore

4/10/2025 9:59:00 AM

New Delhi/Mohali: In a bid to decongest Panchkula & Zirakpur near Chandigarh and create a traffic jam-free access to Himachal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA) Wednesday approved construction of a six-lane Zirakpur bypass. The proposed link will start from junction with NH-7 (Zirakpur-Patiala) and end at junction with NH-5 (Zirakpur-Parwanoo) with a total length 19.2 km in Punjab and Haryana on hybrid annuity mode, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said here after the CCEA. To be built under the PM Gatishakti National Master Plan principle, the project will cost Rs1878 crore. "The Zirakpur bypass starts from junction with NH-7 (Chandigarh-Bathinda) in Zirakpur and follows the Punjab Govt master plan in Punjab and terminates at the junction with NH-5 (Zirakpur-Parwanoo) in Panchkula of Haryana, thus avoiding the highly urbanised and congested stretch of Zirakpur in Punjab and Panchkula in Haryana," Vaishnaw said. The main aim of the project is to ease congestion in Zirakpur, Panchkula and surrounding areas by diverting traffic from Patiala, Delhi, Mohali Aerocity and providing direct connectivity to Himachal. The current proposal aims at reducing the travel time and ensuring hassle-free traffic movement in the congested urban section of NH-7, NH-5 and NH-152. "Govt has taken up decongestion of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali urban agglomeration with the development of a road network which would take the shape of ring road as indicated in the map. The Zirakpur bypass is an important component of this plan," Vaishnaw added. Source : Times of India INDIA

Court Ensures Justice: ₹5 Lakh Compensation Granted for Denied Plot Rights

4/8/2025 10:35:00 AM

The Punjab and Haryana High Court pulled up Haryana government's urban development body–Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran–for denying possession of land to certain successful allottees who paid the sale consideration but were refunded the money, terming it a "clever subterfuge to evade discharging its contractual obligations". HSVP earlier known as HUDA–had rejected the representation of the petitioner for allotment and possession of the booth sites sold in an e-auction. The plea claims that HSVP had decided to refund the money in respect of booth sites on the land while referring to a survey report as per which the "booth sites sold under e-auction were under encroachment and under stay" in a 2020 petition. The court however noted that similarly placed persons had been given possession, and directed the HSVP to immediately issue allotment letters to the petitioners in two weeks and also imposed cost of Rs 1 Lakh to be paid to each of the five petitioners. A division bench of Justice Sureshwar Thakur and Justice Vikram Aggarwal in its order said that prior to putting the respective sites for public auction, the respondents should have applied their mind to see that the sites in question can be delivered free from encumberances to the concerned allottees. "However, it appears that the said exercise was not undertaken by the respondents concerned. Since therebys, there was complete lack of diligence, as also prima facie commission of torts of non-feasance, misfeasance and malfeasance, on the part of the respondent concerned. Obviously the ill-sequel of the said prima facie commission of torts, thus cannot be encumbered upon the allottees concerned, who had entered into a settled inviolable concluded contract with the respondents, and, had also therebys liquidated the entire sale consideration to the respondent concerned, who, however has ill-chosen to yet take a decision, as manifested in Annexure P-11, to refund the amounts already received, and, to also change the sites, so that therebys the respondent concerned, rather conveniently reneges from the apposite contractual obligations". Noting that the sale consideration paid by the allottees had been "unilaterally refunded" to them, the court said: "the entire sale consideration, as became liquidated by the promisee to respondent concerned, became unilaterally refunded into the accounts of the promissee-the present petitioners. It appears that the said was a clever subterfuge employed by the respondent concerned, to evade the discharging of contractual obligation cast upon it". The court further observed this action was in complete circumvention of the constitutional assurance guaranteed to the petitioners, that if any contracts, like the present one, becomes settled amongst the promisees and the respondent concerned–a state instrumentality and agency–it shall remain unreneged. The high court in its order further noted, "entire sale consideration was uncontrovertedly liquidated by the allottees/successful bidders to the respondent concerned, wherebys a concluded and settled contract came into existence. The said concluded and settled contract was inviolable, especially when the respondent concerned, is the instrumentality or an agency of the State, more specifically, when it is mothered by a State legislation nomenclatured as the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran. Resultantly therebys, the constitutional principles enshrined in Article 299 of the Constitution of India, provisions whereof become extracted hereinafter, are with aplomb applicable to the respondent concerned". Background As per the facts enumerated in one of the petition's, HSVP in March 2022 had issued a public notice for conducting e-auction of 'double storeyed booths in Sector 62, Gurugram-II. Pursuant to the said notice, the petitioner deposited Rs. 2,04,600/- as earnest money, and, submitted her bid. Subsequently, through the e-auction the petitioner purchased Booth No. 4 for a sale consideration of Rs. 94,20,600. In pursuance thereto, the petitioner also deposited 10% of the bid amount. It is further averred that upon the acceptance of the petitioner's bid, the a Letter of Intent dated May 17, 2022 was issued by HSVP. Subsequently, in compliance of the terms of the LoI, the petitioner also deposited the balance sale consideration, after which a letter of allotment dated October 10, 2022 allotting land to the petitioner on a freehold basis, as per the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran Act, 1977. The petitioner filed an application for possession which was rejected on the ground that the development works were not complete. Subsequently, on May 10, 2023 the petitioner moved another application; this was rejected on the ground that demarcation plan was not received and so possession cannot be delivered. Subsequently, the petitioner was informed that the Chief Administrator, HSVP had decided to refund the deposited money in respect of the booth site concerned. The petitioner thereafter moved a representation on July 12, 2024 with a request to deliver possession of the subject site to her. In response, the plea claims, the authority sent a letter on July 24, 2024 rejecting the allotment of plot made in favour of the petitioner. Source : LiveLaw INDIA

Uttarakhand HC asks MDDA vice-chairman to clarify stand on illegal constructions

4/7/2025 10:31:00 AM

The Uttarakhand High Court on Wednesday put a stay on illegal constructions in Dehradun and Rishikesh, and directed Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey to appear before it through video conferencing on May 5 to explain how the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority is compounding the constructions being done in violation of the sanctioned maps in the two towns. A division bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Alok Mahra asked as to how the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MMDA) is compounding the constructions, which are being done in violation of the sanctioned maps. The high court asked the commissioner to appear before it on May 5 to explain the situation. Pankaj Agarwal, a resident of Rishikesh, and others had filed a public interest litigation before the high court claiming that many constructions are being done in Dehradun and Rishikesh in violation of the sanctioned maps. It was said in the petition that while the MDDA has been taking action by sealing the said constructions, but the MDDA assistant engineer would remove the sealing and compound the constructions after sometime. The petitioners approached the court, saying that illegal constructions should be stopped in order to save the environment. Source : Times of India INDIA

Zirakpur municipal council seals illegal construction in New Defence Colony

4/7/2025 10:30:00 AM

Mohali: The Zirakpur municipal council has taken firm action against a builder violating construction rules in New Defence Colony by sealing the ongoing construction work on Saturday. Building inspector Shivani Bansal led the operation. She said no builder in her jurisdiction would be allowed to breach the rules. The construction work was proceeding against the approved plan, posing a threat to residents' safety and violating building regulations. Bansal said many builders in her jurisdiction are flouting rules, and strict action will be continuously taken against those who do not comply. The council has issued a warning to all builders to adhere strictly to approved plans and building rules, with immediate action and fines for any violators. Residents are encouraged to report any violations to the authorities, she said. Residents of New Defence Colony welcomed this step, as they had been living in fear due to unsafe construction activities. Also, under the supervision of building inspector Ajay Brar, the council took demolished several houses and structures that were illegally constructed on govt land on old Kalka road. Workers had lived in these houses for the past 10 years, outside Goldmark Vira City project, which is currently under construction. Upon investigation, it was found that the builder constructed a weighbridge and a gate on govt land without any approval. Source : Times of India INDIA

CM Saini Unveils Plans for 100-Acre Film City in Pinjore, Haryana

4/6/2025 2:16:00 PM

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has announced a major initiative to set up a world-class Film City over 100 acres of land in Pinjore, located in the Panchkula district. This project aims to boost the film and entertainment industry in the state, while also creating new opportunities for local artists, technicians, youth, and entrepreneurs. The vision is to make Haryana a leading destination for film production and cultural development. The government has already identified suitable land for the project, and the process to appoint a consultant is currently in progress. The upcoming Film City is expected to include advanced shooting studios, training academies, post-production units, and other modern facilities that will attract filmmakers and media professionals from across the country. In addition to the Pinjore project, the Haryana government is planning a second Film City in Gurugram, where land selection is also underway. These developments reflect the state’s commitment to transforming Haryana into a dynamic hub for creative industries, tourism, and employment generation. Source: Business Standard INDIA

Chandigarh Hikes Property Tax for Common Citizens While ₹250 Cr Dues from Government Properties Remain Unpaid

4/6/2025 11:30:00 AM

Chandigarh Municipal Corporation is facing a severe financial crisis, leading to a halt in all development works since May 2024. One of the major causes is the massive backlog of unpaid property tax—amounting to around ₹250 crore—mostly from commercial and government-owned properties. Top defaulters include Punjab University (₹68.40 crore), Punjab Engineering College (₹11.83 crore), and PGIMER (₹12.12 crore). In total, about 670 government buildings across Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the central government have pending dues. While the administration has begun issuing notices, such as a ₹41.5 crore demand to PGIMER, taking strict actions like sealing government buildings remains impractical. Meanwhile, common citizens are being burdened with increased property tax rates, sparking widespread frustration. This disparity between treatment of government institutions and ordinary taxpayers raises serious concerns over fairness, governance, and accountability. ​The information provided is based on reports from Hindustan Times and The Realty Today. INDIA

After 10 year delay, Unitech set to restart work on six projects in Gurugram

4/5/2025 10:12:00 AM

Gurgaon: After a decade of uncertainty, real estate developer Unitech has resumed work on six long-pending residential and commercial projects in Nirvana Country 2. Now under a govt- appointed management, Unitech is all set to begin construction activities from April 5, with a 78-month deadline that the developer has promised. The six projects — Alder Grove Villas, Espace Premiere Villas, Exquisite Group Housing, Nirvana Country-2 Plots, The Willows Plots and Nirvana Courtyard-2 (commercial) — were launched in 2009 but came to a halt in 2014 due to regulatory hurdles and severe financial distress. The six projects cover 1,073 units, including 740 plots that were sold under the company's previous management but never delivered. The revived plans also include 124 plots and 55 flats reserved for the economically weaker section (EWS). Unitech CEO Ashok Yadav said the decision to restart work was taken after extensive consultations with homebuyers. The revival comes following the renewal of licences and receipt of environmental clearance and consent to establish (CTE) from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board on March 25. "The estimated cost to complete these projects is around Rs 630 crore. We expect to receive Rs 276.42 crore from existing homebuyers through phased, milestone-based payments," Yadav said. The remaining Rs 353.58 crore will be raised through the sale of unsold inventory. Unitech has committed to clear delivery timelines: 18 months for plot development, 24 months for villas and 36 months for group housing and commercial buildings. The resumption is a major milestone in Unitech's long-delayed revival process and a significant relief for hundreds of homebuyers who have waited nearly a decade for possession. Many affected families had invested their life savings into these properties and had long demanded govt intervention for resolution. Source : Times of India INDIA

Gurugram: SC halts demolition of illegal construction in DLF phases

4/5/2025 10:11:00 AM

Gurgaon: The Supreme Court on Friday stayed a demolition drive in DLF phases 1 to 5 by the town and country planning department, halting a team that had arrived at the site to bring down illegal constructions and residential properties turned into commercial complexes like gyms and guesthouses. The division bench of justices JK Maheshwari and Aravind Kumar ordered a status quo, slamming the brakes on all current and planned enforcement measures until the next hearing, slated four weeks from now. The SC was hearing a petition by DLF Qutub Enclave RWA, challenging the country planning department's authority to act on these properties. Lawyers Indira Jaising and Anuj Saxena — who represented the RWA — argued that the five DLF phases had been under the jurisdiction of Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) since 2008, which meant that only the civic body had the power to initiate actions such as demolitions. "There are two conflicting orders from different division benches of the Punjab and Haryana high court regarding constructions in DLF phases. So, it is legally questionable how action could be taken based on only one of the orders. The Supreme Court has rightly asked all parties to maintain status quo and issued notices seeking responses from all stakeholders. The next hearing is scheduled after four weeks," Saxena said on Friday. On Feb 13, the HC asked authorities to pursue action against unauthorised constructions, alterations and commercialisation in residential zones of DLF areas. The court also sought an action-taken report by April 19. Subsequently, the department issued over 4,500 show-cause notices and restoration orders to more than 2,200 houseowners in the five DLF phases. Officials planned to embark on an enforcement drive from Friday itself, warning of demolition, cancellation of occupation certificates, and disconnection of water, sewer, and electricity services for residents who did not comply with the notices. The RWA then moved the SC, claiming that the HC had issued contradictory orders. In 2012, the petitioner said, a HC bench had clarified that the country planning department had no jurisdiction in matters related to DLF areas. But this year, the HC asked the same department to initiate action. In keeping with the plan to proceed with demolitions, district town planner Amit Madholia arrived in DLF-3 with four enforcement squads, 200 police personnel, and four duty magistrates on Friday morning. By noon, however, the SC had issued its interim directive, asking all parties to maintain status quo and suspending any further action. The demolition teams stepped back, with Madholia saying he would observe the SC's direction and wait for further orders to resume any enforcement measures. Residents expressed relief at the order. "This brings much-needed relief to residents who were living under the constant fear of demolition. Many of these homes are decades old, and the notices had created immense mental stress among the owners," RWA president Baljeet Singh Rathi said. Source : Times of India INDIA

Ludhiana civic body achieves Rs 150 crore property tax target

4/4/2025 10:08:00 AM

Ludhiana: The municipal corporation (LMC) has met its annual property tax target, recovering ₹153 crore against a target of ₹150 crore. However, it fell short in other revenue streams, with the total recovery for financial year 2024-25 amounting to ₹833.71 crore — well below the ₹976.7-crore target. Despite senior deputy mayor Rakesh Prashar's repeated requests for the state govt to release the remaining share of the goods and services tax (GST), the funds have not been disbursed. The LMC received ₹504 crore in GST revenue against the ₹625 crore target, mirroring last year's shortfall. Prashar had also urged Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann to clear the pending funds to facilitate city development projects. The civic body achieved 92% of its target for water supply and sewerage dues, collecting ₹42.6 crore against a ₹46 crore target. Officials said they intensified recovery efforts in March, keeping MC offices open and dispatching teams to meet collection goals. A municipal official claimed that the LMC had achieved most of its revenue goals and could have boosted its finances significantly if the full GST share had been disbursed. He also noted that despite it being an election year, the civic body met key targets and is determined to improve its collections next year. The LMC now faces the challenge of bridging its revenue gap while continuing to press the state government for its pending GST share. Source : Times of India INDIA

Pinjore: 13 years on, 24 houses for poor remain unallotted

4/4/2025 10:08:00 AM

Panchkula: Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini recently announced plans to build 5 lakh houses for the poor, but ironically, 24 double-storeyed houses built under a govt housing scheme on Bitna Road in Pinjore in 2012 remain unallotted to date. These vacant 411-sq ft houses, accompanied with a community centre, park, and temple, have in fact started to crumble. Over these years, govt after govt passed, but the facility, which could have been utilised by the homeless, continues to lie unused. The project, Adarsh Pradarshan Awasiya Yojana, was undertaken by the ministry of housing and urban poverty alleviation. The foundation stone of the project was laid by the then minister of housing and urban poverty alleviation, Kumari Selja, in 2009, and subsequently, the construction was completed in 2012. Sources said the houses could not be allotted as govts failed to form a committee that was to take applications from the prospective and eligible candidates. There was a panel at the time of the construction of the premises, but it later got dissolved. No decision was taken thereafter to appoint new committee members and allot the houses to the needy persons. "Due to non-allotment, the houses are now turning into ruins. Owing to the negligence of the govt and administration, the govt is losing crores of rupees. In the year 2015, I gave a memorandum to the chief minister and the then deputy commissioner Panchkula, Vivek Atre, after which in 2015, the appropriate officer called a meeting of the officials and made a policy to allocate 24 houses built under the Adarsh Performance Housing Scheme. But to date, that policy has not been implemented, so those houses have not been allotted to the poor. They should allocate 24 houses to the poor as soon as possible," said Vijay Bansal, president of Shivalik Vikas Manch. The Pinjore-based advocate, who has been raising this issue with different authorities all these years, recently met with urban local bodies department director general Dr Yashpal Yadav, requesting him to give possession of 100-100 yard plots given to the poor under the Mahatma Gandhi Housing Scheme to the beneficiaries, regularise irregular colonies, fix faulty street lights soon, and allot these 24 houses built for the poor to the poor soon. Source : Times of India INDIA

Trinity to invest Rs 1,200 crore to develop housing project in Gurugram

4/3/2025 10:07:00 AM

NEW DELHI: Realty firm Trinity will invest Rs 1,200 crore to develop a housing project in Gurugram. In a statement on Wednesday, the company said it is developing an 11-acre luxury residential project 'Sky Palazzo Residences' on Dwarka Expressway in Gurugram. The project will be completed by 2029. The company will develop this project "with an investment of Rs 1,200 crore". In the first phase, it will develop 345 apartments. Avinash Nagpal, Senior Vice President Projects, Trinity, said there is a strong demand for ultra-premium homes. Housing sales have risen sharply during the post-Covid pandemic. According to PropEquity data, housing sales in Delhi-NCR rose 10 per cent to 11,221 units in January-March 2025 from 10,235 units in the year-ago period. Source : Times of India INDIA

Gurugram administration approves demolition & sealing of illegal units in DLF phases 1 to 5

4/3/2025 10:06:00 AM

Gurgaon: The district administration has approved the town and country planning department's plan for demolition of illegal constructions and sealing of commercial setups in 2,100 housing units across DLF phases 1 to 5. While 4,500 properties had been identified for violations earlier, 2,100 units now face demolition and sealing drive that is set to begin from April 4, following orders from Punjab and Haryana high court. The HC had issued directives on Feb 13, following which an enforcement team survey identified over 4,500 properties violating building regulations. Property owners were served show-cause notices and given seven days to respond. Those who failed to provide a satisfactory explanation are now facing strict action. The operation is being conducted under the Haryana Urban Development Act and Haryana Building Code regulations. The department of town and country planning (DTP) enforcement team has finalised the action plan to target illegal constructions and unauthorised commercial activities. To ensure smooth execution, four teams have been formed and duty magistrates have been appointed for supervision. Additionally, a heavy police force will be deployed to prevent any untoward incidents during the operation. Senior DTP officials and the Gurgaon administration will oversee the crackdown. This action is expected to significantly impact thousands of homeowners in these premium residential areas. Town and country planner (enforcement) Amit Madholia said restoration orders have been issued against more than 2,100 properties, and recommendations have been sent to DTP for cancelling their occupation certificates (OC) and disconnecting electricity, water and sewer connections. The on-ground demolition and sealing process will commence from April 4. The authorities have taken all necessary precautions, with the police and municipal teams on high alert. Any attempt to obstruct the demolition or sealing process will lead to an FIR against the property owner. Walls built to protect shops Panic has gripped residents, particularly in the economically weaker section (EWS) blocks of DLF 3's U-Block. In a desperate attempt to escape action, many homeowners have built brick walls in front of illegal shops operating on the ground floors of their properties. For years, commercial activities have flourished in these 60-square-yard houses, with many homeowners renting out spaces for shops, paying guest (PG) accommodations and guest houses. However, following the HC directive and the upcoming crackdown, these businesses have shut down, leaving once-busy streets eerily empty. Local sources confirm that the enforcement department is already aware of these last-minute walls and is planning its next course of action. Officials are closely monitoring the situation to ensure violators do not evade legal consequences. The violations in U-Block are among the most severe, with some buildings illegally extended up to seven or eight floors, far beyond permissible limits. The conversion of residential spaces into commercial hubs has been a longstanding issue, but the upcoming crackdown is expected to bring stricter enforcement. While some homeowners believe they can avoid demolition with makeshift modifications, authorities have warned that any tampering with the sealing process will lead to legal action, including FIRs. With heavy police deployment planned, any resistance to enforcement may result in strict penalties. Source : Times of India INDIA

Gurugram: OCs of 750 more homes in DLF areas to be revoked for flouting building code

4/2/2025 10:06:00 AM

Gurgaon: The town and country planning department (DTCP) has heightened its clampdown on unauthorised constructions in DLF phases 1 to 5, recommending revocation of occupation certificates (OCs) issued to 843 more houses, which include 583 units in EWS category and 169 in general category. The move follows previous actions where DTCP already sought OC cancellations of 1,588 houses, bringing the total number of properties under scrutiny to 2,431. The enforcement drive is in line with the Punjab and Haryana high court order directing authorities to take strict action against violations in planned residential areas. "In the EWS category, violations have been noticed in 561 houses in phase 3, 22 in phase 4. In general category, the building code was flouted in 42 in phase 1, 63 in phase 2, 56 in phase 3, and 8 in phase 4," said district town planner (enforcement) Amit Madholia, adding that the cancellation of OCs will be confirmed by the district town planner (planning). "Once OCs are revoked, all essential services such as water, sewer and electricity connections, will be snapped by govt agencies or the developer. DTCP has already written to DLF management and discom DHBVN, urging them to take necessary action," he further said. According to Clause 4.10 of HBC 2017, all essential services are granted only after the issuance of an OC. Since the OC is set to be revoked, service disconnections will follow, an official said. The crackdown left many homeowners worried. Several residents claimed they received OCs at the time of purchase of their properties, raising concerns over why approvals were granted in the first place if violations were found. Pradeep Bali, assistant treasurer of DLF Qutub plaza RWA, said on Tuesday, "This is completely unfair. Owners who have been living here for the last 20 years are receiving notices. Many people who purchased floors were unaware of rules and regulations. They bought the floors based on OC issued by the department of town and country planning. Why didn't the department take any action at that time? At this point, such action will create distress among residents." However, several residents hailed the action, stating illegal constructions led to hurdles in urban planning, including congestion and drainage problems. "Unregulated expansions have destroyed the infrastructure of our community. It's about time strict measures were taken," said Anita Kapoor, a DLF phase-3 resident. Madholia confirmed that sealing and demolition drives will begin in April against properties that fail to comply with restoration orders. The authorities already issued over 4,500 show- cause notices. According to DTCP, OCs will be restored by the authorities once illegal extensions built by owners are razed following an inspection by officials. Affected homeowners are now exploring legal options to challenge certificate cancellations by the town planner. Source : Times of India INDIA

New Delhi: NDMC collects Rs 1,045 crore property tax in FY25

4/2/2025 10:05:00 AM

New Delhi: New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) increased its collections from property tax in FY 2024-25 by Rs 24 crore compared to last year. Till March 30, 2025, the council had collected Rs 1,045 crore. After the system updates payments received till March 31, the total collection is expected to reach Rs 1,050 crore, according to officials. "Last year's collection was Rs 1,026 crore," said an official. NDMC had set a target of Rs 1,150 crore from property tax collection in 2024-25. Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), meanwhile, managed to collect nearly Rs 2,150 crore from property tax in 2024-25, falling short of its target of Rs 4,000 crore. The amount collected was similar to the collection in FY 2023-24, which stood at Rs 2,137 crore. In comparison, the civic body had managed to collect Rs 2,417 crore as property tax in FY 2022-23 due to the introduction of an amnesty scheme. To increase collection, in Feb, NDMC had intensified its drive to identify defaulters. It issued showcause notices to 3,200 defaulters, asking them to pay the dues immediately to avoid coercive action. It also attached properties of defaulters in Connaught Place, Khan Market, Kasturba Gandhi Marg and Gole Market, among other areas. This year, the council received a better collection from the private sector compared to the govt sector. "Last year, NDMC collected Rs 280 crore from govt taxpayers, but this year, the collection has come down to Rs 182 crore. In comparison, the collection from the private sector was high this time, at Rs 863 crore, compared to Rs 746 crore last year. We are thankful to the taxpayers and will work toward providing better services in Lutyens' Delhi," said the official. This year, the number of taxpayers in NDMC area has crossed 10,000 units, the official said, adding, "We added about 200 new taxpayers, including small shops which were not paying taxes so far. We aim to add 2,000 more taxpayers in the next financial year." With the beginning of the new fiscal, NDMC will soon come out with a notification raising new bills and inviting taxpayers to check the assessment list. "Taxpayers can accordingly submit objections, and after verification, we will raise final bills," said the official. Source : Times of India INDIA

Gurugram: ED attaches Sidhartha Buildhome's assets worth Rs 95 crore

4/1/2025 10:03:00 AM

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday said it has attached assets worth about Rs 95 crore as part of a money laundering investigation against a Gurugram-based real estate company and its promoter on charges of duping more than 950 homebuyers. The action has been taken against Sidharth Chauhan, promoter of Sidhartha Buildhome Pvt. Ltd. (SBPL), his companies and some other persons, the federal probe agency said in a statement. A provisional order has been issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for attaching land parcels, residential house and commercial building in Gurugram (Haryana), it said. These properties are worth Rs 94.82 crore, acccording to the agency. The company or its promoter could not be contacted for their response on the allegations made by the ED against them. The money laundering case stems from a clutch of FIRs filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police. The EOW complaints were registered on the basis of complaints of various homebuyers of SBPL projects named Estella and NCR One in Gurugram and it was alleged that the company failed to deliver the homes within the promised timeframe. The accused company and its promoter, according to the ED, collected about Rs 520 crore from more than 950 homebuyers for these real estate projects. Sidharth Chauhan, through SBPL, "diverted" funds collected from the homebuyers to its group companies as unsecured loans and advances for investment in other avenues instead of using the same for completion of the promised homes, the agency alleged. Source : Business Standard INDIA

Chandigarh administration announces steep hike in property tax

4/1/2025 10:02:00 AM

Chandigarh: The UT administration announced a substantial increase in property tax rates for both residential and commercial properties in Chandigarh on Monday. Residential property owners will face a threefold increase, while commercial property tax rates have been doubled. These new rates will be effective from April 1. The municipal corporation's (MC) revenue from property tax is expected to increase from Rs 45 crore to 90 crore annually. This marks the first increase in property tax since 2020. Government buildings and properties will continue with unchanged service charges. The notification said properties under the service charges category will maintain the current 3% of annual rateable value for 2025-2026. Despite the MC's opposition to the tax increase, the Chandigarh administration implemented it using special powers under the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, after receiving approval from the Punjab governor and Chandigarh administrator. The administration has established three residential zones for tax purposes. The notification specified, "For the assessment year 2025-26, the property tax leviable on residential sites and buildings shall be increased by three times the rates already specified by the Chandigarh administration. For CHB flats, cooperative house building societies, and other residential flats (excluding SCFs) having a total covered area of 500 square feet and above falling within MC limits (irrespective of zones), the existing rate was Re 1 per square foot per annum, which will now be Rs 3 per square foot from 2025-2026 financial year." Revised Tax on Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Land and Buildings According to the administration's notification, commercial and industrial properties will be charged 6% of the annual rateable value (ARV) for 2025-2026. Service charge category properties will continue at 3% ARV. Government buildings are exempted from property tax but must pay service charges for provided services. Box: Residential Properties Zones Zone-1: Sectors 1 to 19 and 26 to 28 will now pay Rs 7.5 per square yard for vacant plots and Rs 3.75 per square foot for covered area, increased from Rs.2.5 and Rs 1.25, respectively. Zone-II: Sectors 20 to 25, 29 to 38, Manimajra, Industrial Area, SCFs will now pay Rs 6 per square yard for vacant plots and Rs 3 per sq ft for covered area, up from Rs 2 and Re 1, respectively. Zone-III: Sectors 39 to 61, 63, and others will now pay Rs 4.5 per square yard for vacant plots and Rs 2.25 per square foot for covered area, increased from Rs 1.5 and Rs 0.75, respectively. Box: Quotes City Mayor, Harpreet Kaur Babla said, "The proposal to raise property tax rates was presented in the house but faced unanimous rejection from all political parties. While I supported a 1% hike for residential properties and 2% for commercial establishments, the opposition's political manoeuvring led to its rejection. Subsequently, the administration implemented the tax increase by invoking its authority under the Punjab Municipal Act. The residents of Chandigarh now face additional financial burden due to Congress and Aam Aadmi Party's political tactics and lack of cooperation." AAP's spokesperson and councillor, Yogesh Dhingra said, "The substantial increase in rates is excessive and difficult to manage. Residents of Chandigarh face mounting financial pressures from various directions, compelling them to relocate to Punjab, where electricity is provided without cost and high-quality services are available at minimal expense. The collected tax revenue appears to be allocated solely towards paying Municipal Corporation staff salaries, rather than being invested in the city's infrastructure and growth." Chandigarh Congress President, HS Lucky said, "The increase is extraordinarily steep. The BJP, working alongside the Chandigarh Administration, appears poised to burden the city's residents financially. The Congress party had previously cautioned about these surreptitious actions planned by the BJP and Chandigarh Administration. The Congress has pledged to mount a vigorous and comprehensive opposition to this initiative." Source : Times of India INDIA

DTCP seeks HC nod to conduct flat allotment draw again in Gurugram

3/31/2025 10:03:00 AM

The Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) has found that a technical glitch in its software portal led to the faulty allotment of flats in an affordable housing project in Sohna, prompting the department to put the draw on hold. The department had initially withheld the allotment on February 18 after all 708 successful applicants were found to be from Sohna, despite over 51,000 applications being received from various locations. A departmental inquiry conducted by a committee revealed that only 2,200 applicants who had listed Sohna as their address were considered in the draw, while others were excluded due to the software error. Of these, 708 were declared successful. The glitch resulted in the exclusion of thousands of eligible applicants from other locations, violating the affordable housing policy, which does not allow preferential treatment based on residency, officials said. A senior DTCP official confirmed that the faulty draw is likely to be cancelled, but the department is awaiting directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. “We have submitted a reply in the court, and since the matter is sub judice, it would not be appropriate to comment further. However, only 2,200 applicants were considered due to the glitch,” the official added. One of the applicants affected by the issue approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking intervention. In its response to the court, DTCP acknowledged that the software malfunction may have deprived many eligible applicants of a fair chance at allotment. Officials noted that the affordable housing policy does not prioritise residents of a specific town and that the glitch led to an unfair process. To prevent future occurrences, DTCP has initiated a technical audit of the software portal and has halted other upcoming draws until the system is rectified. “Two scheduled draws for affordable housing projects have been put on hold to ensure transparency in allotment,” another official added. On February 18, director of Town and Country Planning, Amit Khatri, ordered a halt to the allotment process and initiated an inquiry into the e-draw system. The Chief Town Planner (IT&M) was tasked with submitting a report within 10 days. The affordable housing policy, launched by the Haryana government in 2016, allows private developers to construct and sell affordable housing units at government-fixed prices, currently ranging between ₹30 lakh and ₹35 lakh. In his order, Khatri noted that the e-draw for Licence No. 235 of 2023, Sector-36, Sohna, was conducted on January 27, 2025, for 51,586 shortlisted applicants. However, the results showed that only applicants from Sohna town were selected, despite the policy not specifying any geographic preference. As a precaution, DTCP has also directed the concerned developer to refrain from demanding further payments from the successful applicants until a final decision is made on the cancellation of the draw. Source : Times of India INDIA

Of six illegal colonies identified, one razed in last three months in Panchkula

3/31/2025 10:02:00 AM

Panchkula: In the last three months, the district administration has razed one of the six illegal colonies identified. Besides, complaints for FIRs were filed for five other colonies and 14 other illegal structures were issued notices. The administration has formed a task team to act against such illegal constructions. In a recent meeting of the district-level task force formed to tackle illegal encroachments and unauthorised colonies, deputy commissioner Monica Gupta issued a clear mandate to departments concerned to eliminate illegal construction in the district. She also directed the officials to ensure that illegal encroachments do not reoccur after removal and stressed the importance of timely intervention to prevent illegal construction. She also emphasised that all rules and regulations must be applied equally, with no room for discrimination, particularly when it comes to the sale of agricultural land. She called for strict adherence to regulations and directed the district revenue officer to inform the district town planner regarding any sale deeds after registration. The DC directed the public works department (buildings and roads) to provide regular updates on action taken against illegal construction under various applicable laws, including the Periphery Control Act and Punjab Scheduled Roads and Controlled Areas Irregular Development Restriction Act 1963. The DC also asked the police department to closely monitor areas where illegal structures were demolished to ensure that no new construction occurs without prior authorisation. She also asked the executive engineers of the NHAI and PWD to act against encroachments within restricted areas along scheduled roads and submit reports on their efforts. The DC stressed the importance of timely FIR registration by the police in cases of illegal encroachment and called for coordination between the district town planner office and the police to ensure a successful anti-encroachment campaign. Source : Times of India INDIA

Noida authority raises land allocation rates by 6% for housing & industry

3/29/2025 10:28:00 AM

Noida: Noida Authority increased its land allotment rates by 6% for residential, institutional (IT, ITES and data centres) and industrial categories. Rates for commercial properties, however, remain unchanged. Residential plots in A+ sectors—premium areas like sectors 14A, 15A and parts of 44— remain steady at Rs 1.75 lakh per sqm, for other areas plot prices now range from Rs 51,000 per sqm to Rs 1.3 lakh per sqm, with an increase of Rs 3,000 per sqm to Rs 7,500 per sqm. Revised group housing plot rates range from Rs 73,320 to Rs 1.94 lakh per sqm, an increase of Rs 4,150 to Rs 11,000 per sqm. Institutional land rates have gone up by Rs 1,910 per sqm to Rs 4,400 per sqm and range between Rs 33,670 per sqm and Rs 77,620 per sqm. For IT, IT-enabled services (ITES) and data centres, the allotment rate in key sectors like 1, 16A, and 24 has gone up from Rs 73,220 per sqm to Rs 77,620 per sqm. In Phase 2, the price has increased from Rs 26,000 per sqm to Rs 27,560 per sqm, while in Phase 3, the cost has risen from Rs 37,340 per sqm to Rs 39,580 per sqm. For institutions such as nursery schools and colleges, the cost of land will be 50% of the rate of the nearest residential sector if allotted through an interview process. Meanwhile, for nursing homes, hospitals, and diagnostic centres, plots will be allocated through an e- auction, with the rate matching that of the residential category in the respective sector. The revised industrial land rates in phase 1 were increased in the range of Rs 50,340 per sqm to Rs 77,620 per sqm, depending on the plot sizes. This is an increase of Rs 2,850 per sqm to Rs 4,400 per sqm. In phase 2 areas, land rates have risen from Rs 20,480-Rs 39,000 per sqm to Rs 21,710-Rs 41,340 per sqm. In Phase 3, the rate has increased from Rs 30,480-Rs 56,010 per sqm to Rs 32,310-Rs 59,370 per sqm. Currently, the Authority has 66,867 sqm of land in its bank to allot for industrial use, 3 lakh sqm for institutional use, 9,686 sqm for residential use, 91,820 sqm for group housing and 10 lakh sqm of land for commercial purposes. The plots are likely to be allotted in the new fiscal year. Noida Authority has, meanwhile, approved an Rs 8,732-crore budget for 2025-26, an increase of Rs 1,299 crore from the previous year, with the bulk of the spending going to infrastructure (Rs 2,410 crore) and the new international airport (Rs 1,600 crore). It has set a revenue target of Rs 9,008 crore. It will also spend Rs 2,229 crore on the maintenance of civic facilities and Rs 224 crore on village development in the new financial year. In 2024-25, the Authority's budget outlay was Rs 7,433 crore with a revenue target of Rs 7,713 crore. Till March 25, it collected Rs 6,809 crore, which is 88% of its revenue target. The shortfall, officials said, was mainly due to delays in property allotment schemes and outstanding dues from builders. The Authority spent only Rs 3,032 crore by March 25, slightly over 40% of its 2024-25 budget. The Authority had allocated Rs 1,000 crore for the development of New Noida (DNGIR) but was unable to utilise the funds. Similarly, Rs 475 crore was set aside for metro expansion through Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC), but no projects took off. Of the Rs 2,431 crore allocated for development projects, only Rs 475 crore was spent by Feb 28. Subsequently, the Authority adjusted its financial plans for the upcoming year. In its 2025-26 budget, Rs 250 crore has been allocated for land acquisition in Noida. However, the budget for New Noida has been drastically reduced from Rs 1,000 crore to just Rs 10 crore, reflecting the lack of progress in the past year. Source : Times of India INDIA

Accurate circle rates key to good governance

3/29/2025 10:27:00 AM

New Delhi: Supreme Court has ruled that fixation of accurate circle rates, the minimum value of land and properties in a locality, is a prerequisite of good governance and will help enhance ease of living and doing business, but lamented that this important aspect has escaped “adequate attention” of govts. Circle rates notified by govts determine the stamp duty to be paid by purchasers of land and properties in a locality, and helps the land acquisition officer quantify the fair compensation to be paid to landowners. A bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, while rejecting an appeal by Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation, said, “While serving the interests of honest taxpayers, accurate circle rates would simultaneously deter non-compliant taxpayers by preventing under-valuation.” In the judgment, the CJI stated, “Rational and fair circle rates are essential for good governance. Since the fixation of circle rates affects everyone financially, the data and methods used to determine them should be made public. Unfortunately, this important aspect has not received sufficient attention from authorities.” “An inflated rate results in an unfair financial burden on purchasers. Conversely, an undervalued rate leads to inadequate stamp duty collection, adversely affecting the State’s revenue. Circle rates, which reflect the market price, ensure proper revenue collection for the State by preventing under-valuation of properties,” the bench said. Source : Times of India INDIA

Accurate circle rates key to good governance

3/29/2025 10:27:00 AM

New Delhi: Supreme Court has ruled that fixation of accurate circle rates, the minimum value of land and properties in a locality, is a prerequisite of good governance and will help enhance ease of living and doing business, but lamented that this important aspect has escaped “adequate attention” of govts. Circle rates notified by govts determine the stamp duty to be paid by purchasers of land and properties in a locality, and helps the land acquisition officer quantify the fair compensation to be paid to landowners. A bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, while rejecting an appeal by Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation, said, “While serving the interests of honest taxpayers, accurate circle rates would simultaneously deter non-compliant taxpayers by preventing under-valuation.” In the judgment, the CJI stated, “Rational and fair circle rates are essential for good governance. Since the fixation of circle rates affects everyone financially, the data and methods used to determine them should be made public. Unfortunately, this important aspect has not received sufficient attention from authorities.” “An inflated rate results in an unfair financial burden on purchasers. Conversely, an undervalued rate leads to inadequate stamp duty collection, adversely affecting the State’s revenue. Circle rates, which reflect the market price, ensure proper revenue collection for the State by preventing under-valuation of properties,” the bench said. Source : Times of India INDIA

4,000 Lucknow development body's tenants to get ownership

3/28/2025 10:50:00 AM

Lucknow: The Lucknow Development Authority board meeting on Tuesday brought relief to over 4,000 allottees of the city who haven't got possession of their properties (plots/flats) despite full payment on time. LDA board has asked allottees to either take back their money from LDA with 12% interest rate for the number of years they have waited for possession, or they could opt for other property of their choice from LDA's schemes. LDA vice chairman Satyendra Singh Yadav said, "People who have made full payment against the property should not feel cheated as resolving their grievances is our priority." There are many who have even paid their registration amount and other dues but could not get the possession for various reasons like farmers' dispute, legal issues or delay in development. Singh said LDA was offering double the interest rate what banks give so that the these allottees could be adequately compensated. "These allottees can even opt for an alternative property of their choice and we will give it them out of turn (without lottery)," he asserted.PLANS FOR THE PROJECTS Decisions on LDA schemes: Gomtinagar Yojna: LDA's most coveted scheme of Gomtinagar and its extension faced land disputes and farmers' protest, hence hindering development of the project and delay in possession. LDA estimates that more than 750 allottees paid full amount to the authority but did not get possession. Around 200 persons even paid off registration amount but failed to get possession. LDA is planning to give these allottees priority and allocate them housing unit/ plot in area of their choice. Vasantkunj Yojna: LDA allotted plots in the scheme to about 2,500 individuals 15 years ago. They paid full amount to the LDA but couldn't get registrations done on time as LDA couldn't acquire all proposed land from farmers and certain patches remained disputed for long. The scheme is planned on about 250 hectares, of which 60 hectares was earmarked for developing community services and medical facilities. LDA has decided to use this 60 hectare land for providing plots to the aggrieved allottees and build facilities at a certain distance in the same scheme. LDA said they will put up camps in the area to provide registrations to the allottees conveniently. Prabandh Nagar Yojna: Using an innovative method, LDA has decided to take land from farmers in Prabandh Nagar Yojna, near IIM Lucknow through 'land-pooling' instead of acquiring it from them. This scheme sprawls over 1,885 acres, of which about 800 acres is reserved as green-belt. LDA said it was difficult to acquire a huge portion of land from farmers so it proposed to take land from them through land-pooling which implies that LDA will develop land, provide facilities like sewerage, drainage, roads etc and then give 50% of it to the farmer/landlord for his use and keep half for developing housing projects. LDA has announced plan to develop housing units on about 500 acres land in Prabandh Nagar Yojna. Source : Times of India INDIA

Land measuring 31,455 acres illegally occupied in 507 panchayats in Punjab

3/28/2025 10:48:00 AM

Chandigarh: Land measuring 31,455 acres was under unauthorised occupation in 507 gram panchayats in Punjab, while the urban local bodies faced a staff shortage between 34% to 44%, according to the annual technical inspection report of Panchayati Raj institutions for the period April 2019 to March 2022. An audit of the ULBs revealed that user charges of Rs 510.56 crore on account of water supply and sewerage charges, house tax, property tax, rent from shops, and mobile tower charges were pending for recovery. The report, which was tabled in the Assembly on Tuesday, pointed out that four ULBs did not maintain records related to assets and available trees under their jurisdiction. As a result, the actual position of the assets and the illegal felling of trees could not be ascertained. Also, there was underutilisation of funds by PRIs received under various centrally sponsored schemes, and there was a delay in the transfer of central finance commission grants. Source : Times of India INDIA

Years gone, plot handover held up, Ramprastha City buyers turn to Haryana CM

3/26/2025 10:41:00 AM

Gurgaon: Aggrieved buyers of Ramprastha City plots gathered outside H-Rera, protesting against the company for failing to allot land booked between 2006 and 2017. Despite full payments, buyers claim no plot numbers were assigned, and development remains stalled. Many, now senior citizens, fear the land may be sold to other developers. The buyers' association, led by Sanjay Jain and Sanjay Arora, accused the company of deliberate delays and misleading assurances. Complaints were filed with H-Rera, and a letter was sent to chief minister Nayab Saini, urging immediate action against the company to protect buyers' rights and prevent further fraudulent activities. According to the buyers' association, the Ramprastha Group, with its registered office in Sector 44, had booked plots ranging from 200 to 600 square yards in Ramprastha City across multiple sectors, like 92, 93, 95, and 37C and D. "Many buyers, who had paid in full, were issued preliminary allotment letters, but the final allotments never materialised," said Sanjay Jain, president of the Ramprastha City buyers group. Despite repeated follow-ups, including personal meetings with company directors and Ramprastha Group Chairman Balwant Singh Chaudhary, no concrete steps have been taken to assign plot numbers or commence development work. Balwant Singh Chaudhary, chairman of Ramprastha Group, said "We have the funds now and the development work will begin soon. We are working out the things which got stuck due to some reasons. We are committed to delivering the project to allottees". Source : Times of India INDIA

Chandigarh urban planning department approves Manimajra housing project layout

3/26/2025 10:40:00 AM

Chandigarh: In a significant move, the urban planning department of the Chandigarh administration has approved the layout and zoning plan for the MC's land to develop a housing society in Manimajra. The MC aims to earn Rs 250 to 300 crore by auctioning this prime land. The civic body authority will now proceed to finalise the terms and conditions, and related aspects to maximise revenue from the land disposal. As per the approved plan, five residential pockets will be developed on 7.7 acres of land. With the UT approving a two-floor area ratio (FAR) for this project, each housing pocket may rise up to five storeys. In addition to the housing society, dedicated areas for a shopping complex, green spaces, and reserved land have been earmarked. Also, some existing structures, such as a school and Nirankari Bhawan, are present on the earmarked land. While approving the layout plan, the department wrote to the MC: "The layout plan of pocket number 6 Manimajra has been revised based on the survey plan. The revised layout includes five group housing pockets, convenient shopping, green areas, a playground, and a reserved area." "Two prints of the approved layout plan of pocket number 6 NAC Manimajra, approved by the secretary of urban planning, Chandigarh administration, are forwarded for necessary action, subject to site feasibility, land status, and client approval. The area must be made encumbrance-free by the MC." While sharing the information with the members of the general house, MC commissioner Amit Kumar said, "The land will be auctioned as per the existing collector rates. Since the collector rates have been revised, we are expecting around Rs 300 crore from this housing project. If all goes well, the entire process will be completed in the next three months." Source : Times of India INDIA

About 25 illegal buildings on land notified for Noida airport razed in Jewar tehsil

3/25/2025 10:31:00 AM

Noida: Teams of Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) and the district administration on Monday demolished 25 illegal buildings in Ramner, Sabauta, and Kishorepur villages of Jewar tehsil to prevent further encroachments that could delay expansion of the Noida International Airport. Officials carried out a four-hour drive, targeting illegal houses and permanent structures on land notified for acquisition for the airport's third and fourth phases. Officials said they had earlier warned over 100 landowners against carrying out further constructions once the area was notified for acquisition. Although the Yamuna Authority issued demolition orders, many villagers continued with the constructions, prompting the demolition drive. For the third and fourth phases of the airport project, 2,053 hectares are scheduled to be acquired from 14 villages. This acquisition will affect around 42,000 farmers, with about 9,500 of them requiring rehabilitation. Although the administration has secured consent from most affected families, some villagers have carried out fresh constructions to obtain higher compensation for these permanent structures. Farmers, officials said, are eligible for additional funds if houses or other permanent edifices stand on their land at the time of acquisition. As a result, landowners built new structures after the notification, leading the administration to form special monitoring teams that identified and halted unauthorised work. So far, the state govt has acquired 1,334 hectares for the first phase of the airport project and 1,365 hectares for the second. Compensation has also been distributed among affected families. On Monday, more than 100 policemen accompanied YEIDA and district officials to the villages where these illegal buildings have come up. The team deployed 11 earthmovers from 2pm onwards, completing the demolition in four hours without any major protests. According to inspection reports, unauthorised structures have also come up in Neemka, Thora, Banwari Bas, Mukimpur Shivara, Kishorepur, and Ramner villages. YEIDA has issued fresh warnings to landowners and will soon clear an estimated 200 additional illegal constructions in the area, officials said. Source : Times of India INDIA

More than 700 houses in Gurugram’s DLF areas will lose occupation certificates for layout violation

3/24/2025 10:25:00 AM

Gurgaon: The town and country planning department intensified its crackdown on illegal constructions in DLF phases 1, 2, and 3, recommending the cancellation of occupation certificates (OCs) for 745 houses — including those built on both general and economically weaker section (EWS) category plots. The district town planner (enforcement), Amit Madholia, formally wrote to his counterpart in the planning wing, urging them to revoke the OCs of the properties on the list and instruct the DLF management to disconnect water and sewer connections. "After issuing show-cause notices and restoration orders against violations in all phases of DLF, we have now requested DTP (planning) to revoke their occupation certificates. Additionally, the developer has been asked to disconnect water and sewer connections. We may also approach DHBVN for disconnecting electricity supply in keeping with provisions of the Haryana Building Code, 2017," Madholia said. The DTCP action impacted a total of 745 properties across different phases of DLF. In the general category, 43 plots were in DLF Phase 1, 57 in DLF-2, and 132 in Phase 3, making a total of 232 properties. Additionally, 513 plots in the EWS category — all located in DLF Phase 3 — also faced action. DTCP officials said more such letters would be issued in the coming days to expand the scope of action against unauthorised structures. According to them, the Sunday action followed multiple notices issued by DTCP to the owners of houses who made illegal modifications and violated construction guidelines. These homeowners were earlier handed show- cause notices and restoration orders, instructing them to remove the unauthorised constructions. "However, as most of these violators failed to comply with the order and issue satisfactory responses, the department escalated the matter," an official said. "These constructions fall outside the purview of regularisation of the Haryana Building Code, 2017. Despite multiple warnings, the property owners did not restore their structures to the permitted limits, forcing us to take stringent action." The move elicited mixed reaction from affected owners. While many opposed the action, some believed it was necessary to maintain planned development and prevent further violations. A resident of DLF Phase 2, whose house is on the list, expressed frustration. "I bought this property five years ago with all necessary approvals. If there were violations, why were OCs granted in the first place? Punishing homeowners instead of the original violators is unfair," he added. On the other hand, some welcomed the action. A DLF Phase 1 resident said, "Unauthorised constructions have ruined the aesthetics and infrastructure of the community. Many houses have extended beyond limits, leading to congestion and drainage issues. The administration is finally taking the right step." A group of residents are considering legal options and forming committees to challenge the DTCP decision. Many have decided to urge Haryana govt to intervene and offer a solution rather than enforcing mass cancellations and disconnections. DTCP officials clarified they would continue their enforcement drive in the coming weeks, adding they were likely to push for stricter monitoring of new constructions to prevent further violations. Source : Times of India INDIA

Noida authority set to discuss uniform land policy, stuck projects on March 28

3/24/2025 10:25:00 AM

Noida: Noida Authority will hold its board meeting on March 28 to discuss the annual budget, the progress of stalled group housing projects under UP govt's rehabilitation package, and matters related to farmers' compensation. Chief secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, who also chairs the board, wrote to the Authority on the inclusion of five key agendas. Among them is the review of developers' cases under the rehabilitation policy for stalled group housing projects, which is based on former bureaucrat Amitabh Kant's committee report. The board will also discuss amendments to the unified policy for plot allotments, cancellations, and lease execution. Additionally, it will evaluate the number of plots and their total area allotted over the past year, and also decide on compensation rates for farmers whose land was acquired. A major highlight of the meeting, officials said, will be the presentation of its annual budget for the financial year 2025-26, which is expected to be around Rs 9,000 crore. This figure represents a significant increase from the Rs 7,700 crore approved for 2024-25. The board will allocate funds for infrastructure projects, including the maintenance and construction of roads, sewer lines, drainage systems, water supply networks, parks, and the development of new industrial sectors and rural areas. The board is also expected to discuss and approve an increase in allotment rates for residential, group housing, IT, institutional, industrial, and other categories because of surging property prices in the city. This year's budget will also address compensation rates for landowners in the upcoming ‘New Noida' region. On Monday, proposals from all departments are likely to be reviewed by the Authority's CEO Lokesh M, following which final recommendations will be presented to the board. The commercial and industrial departments will also present a new scheme brochure during the meeting. For rural development, the authority plans to allocate Rs 100 crore to improve 81 villages under Noida's jurisdiction. These initiatives include road construction, drainage upgrades, water supply improvements, and other essential infrastructure enhancements. In 2024-25, about Rs 1,200 crore was allocated for civil projects, but the Authority could achieve 60% of its target. This year, the budget for civil works is expected to rise to around Rs 1,400 crore, which is expected to support numerous new construction initiatives. Source : Times of India INDIA

Building Trust: Transparency is the Key to Successful Real Estate Deals!

3/23/2025 12:17:00 PM

The Housing Minister highlighted the crucial role of real estate management service providers in bridging the gap between developers and buyers. He emphasized that these professionals serve as a vital link in the real estate ecosystem, ensuring smooth and transparent transactions. By providing accurate and clear information, real estate management service providers can help buyers make informed decisions, fostering trust and credibility in the industry. The Minister stressed that transparency is not just a best practice but a necessity for the sustainable growth of the real estate sector. With increasing consumer awareness and regulatory frameworks like RERA in place, maintaining ethical business practices has become more important than ever. He encouraged real estate management service providers to adopt global best practices, leverage technology, and uphold fairness in all dealings. Furthermore, the Minister acknowledged the challenges faced by the real estate sector and urged professionals to work collaboratively with developers, financial institutions, and regulatory bodies to create a more structured and trustworthy market. He also reiterated that transparency would not only benefit homebuyers but also enhance the reputation of real estate management service providers, leading to long-term business growth and industry stability. By focusing on integrity, professionalism, and customer-centric services, real estate management service providers can contribute to a well-regulated and thriving real estate market that benefits all stakeholders. Source: Economic Times - Realty India

CBI files three FIRs in Rs 9,000-crore Noida Sports City Project 'scam', conducts raids

3/22/2025 10:37:00 AM

The CBI has registered three cases related to alleged irregularities in the allotment, development and sanction of Sports City projects in Noida between 2011 and 2014 which turned into a ₹9000-crore 'scam', officials said Friday. Acting on the orders of the Allahabad High Court, the agency registered the FIRs against real estate firms Logix Infra Developers Pvt Ltd, Xanadu Estates Pvt Ltd and Lotus Green Constructions Pvt Ltd, their directors and some unnamed officials of Noida Authority, following it up with a search operation, they said. No immediate reactions were available from the companies. According to an official, the Noida Sport City Project was aimed to develop world class sport facilities with residential and commercial areas in the sector 78, 79 and 150 of Noida. "It was alleged that... after the allotment of projects, the related conditions were allegedly breached multiple times by the allotees/sub-leasees, in connivance with Noida Authority officials causing suspected financial loss to the State exchequer at approximately Rs 9000 crore and undue advantage to certain developers at the State expense," the official said. The CBI has alleged the authorities took no remedial measures even after the CAG report pointed out irregularities in the massive project. "In this connection, CBI conducted searches at several locations in Delhi and Noida leading to recovery of incriminating documents, digital evidences, etc," the CBI said in a statement. Source : Business Standard INDIA

Gurugram: DTCP crackdowns on commercial units built on housing plots in DLF areas

3/22/2025 10:36:00 AM

Gurgaon: The Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) has launched stringent measures against unlawful commercial operations in residential zones across DLF 1-5 areas following a task force meeting led by the deputy commissioner on March 5, 2025. The district fire officer received instructions to pursue legal action against violators in the meeting. The fire department has been instructed to submit a compliance report before April 19, 2025, detailing the legal actions taken against violators. The authorities are expected to initiate sealing operations and impose penalties on non-compliant property owners. The directive, issued by the district town planner (enforcement), comes in compliance with the Punjab and Haryana high court's order , which mandates action against the illegal conversion of residential plots into commercial spaces. A detailed list of these violations has been compiled, identifying numerous properties operating in contravention of zoning laws. In DLF 1, 90 general plots have been converted into commercial establishments, while DLF II has seen 114 such conversions. DLF III has the highest number of EWS plot violations, with 261 EWS plots and 91 general plots being misused for commercial purposes. In DLF 4, as many as 41 general plots and 14 EWS plots have been converted, while DLF 5 has witnessed conversion of 3 general plots. In total, 339 general plots and 275 EWS plots have been illegally repurposed for commercial use across DLF 1-5. With over 614 residential plots reportedly misused for commercial purposes, the administration has stressed the need for fire safety compliance. District town planner (enforcement) Amit Madholia highlighted the risks posed by these establishments. He said "The commercial establishments created in residential buildings require clearance from the fire department as they are converted into public buildings. Hence, they must adhere to the necessary safety norms as per our department's guidelines." The illegal commercial setups have gathered complaints from residents about increased traffic congestion, fire hazards, and security concerns. Source : Times of India INDIA

Chandigarh property consultants requests DM to hold hike in collector rates for four months

3/21/2025 10:36:00 AM

Chandigarh: The Property Consultants' Association of Chandigarh met Chandigarh deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav on Wednesday, requesting him a grace period of four months before the implementation of new collector rates and urging for the rationalisation of these rates in line with market trends. Members said since authorities were in the process of increasing collector rates, a grace period would help buyers and sellers who have already entered into agreements to sell, allowing them to close their deals without hassle. The administration had issued the new rates on March 5. Since the UT is going to implement new collector rates from April 1, it has already called for suggestions and objections from the public until March 25. Parveen Kumar Bhambri, a spokesperson for the association, said while discussing residential and commercial segments, it was suggested collector rates of commercial properties be decreased by 30% from the present rates. "This reduction would generate a good amount of revenue from the commercial sector of the city. It is also requested that the proposed hike in the residential collector rate should not be beyond 20%-30% of the existing rate," he said. In the case of society flats, the association suggested that the huge increase would bring the market to a total halt, resulting in a loss of revenue to the UT administration. Therefore, collector rate should not increase by more than 20% in the case of flats, said the association. Source : Times of India INDIA

Gurugram: Two new metro corridors set to be built

3/21/2025 10:34:00 AM

Gurgaon: Construction for the planned Millennium City Centre-Cyber City metro line still months away, HMRTC has set the wheels in motion to develop two new corridors that will connect old and new Gurgaon. Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation (HMRTC) on Thursday invited tenders to prepare detailed project reports (DPR) of the two metro lines. First on the agenda is a 17km metro line planned from Bhondsi to Gurgaon Railway Station. This corridor – meant to decongest Sohna Road and NH-8 — will cross Vatika Chowk, Subhash Chowk, Rajiv Chowk, Sohna Chowk, Sector 4-7 Chowk and Railway Road. According to the proposal, this line will intersect with Millennium City Centre-Cyber City line at Subhash Chowk and Sector 5 stations. It will also facilitate an interchange with the planned rapid rail corridor at Rajiv Chowk. The second metro line of 13.6 kilometres in length is being planned between Golf Course Extension Road and Sector 5. This corridor will connect corporate hubs with residential areas of Old Gurgaon by covering key spots such as Hong Kong Market in Sector 57, Ardee City, Millennium City Centre, Signature Tower, Maharana Pratap Chowk, Atul Kataria Chowk and Sheetla Mata Road. As Millennium City Centre station will intersect with the yellow line of Delhi Metro and the planned corridor till Cyber City, this line is expected to benefit thousands of commuters who want to go towards new sectors. "We invited tenders for preparing DPR of two new metro lines. The 17km line will offer a seamless link from SPR to transit hubs. The interchanges with metro, RRTS corridor and railway station will integrate regional and city travel. Similarly, 13km metro line will cover densely populated areas of the city," an HMRTC official said on Thursday. The decision to move ahead with the DPR process was taken during an HMRTC board meet in Aug last year, but the process was delayed after model code of conduct was enforced for the Oct assembly election in Haryana. Now that the state and civic polls are over, the project is back on track, the official said. Source : Times of India INDIA

Noida Authority to crackdown on plot allottees who fail to begin construction or clear dues

3/20/2025 10:26:00 AM

Noida: Noida Authority will crackdown on residential plot allottees who fail to begin construction or clear dues. Non-compliance, officials said, could lead to cancellation of plot allotments too. During a departmental review meeting, Noida CEO Lokesh M reviewed the status of previously allotted residential plots where owners have not undertaken any construction or have outstanding payments pending for an extended period. Several plot owners were found to have ignored multiple notices regarding non-utilisation of land and pending dues. Since Feb, the Authority had issued demand notices to nine residential plot allottees, in Sector 51 and Sector 151, who failed to initiate construction and clear pending dues totalling over Rs 8 crore, officials said. The plots in question range from 300 sqm to 375 sqm, with the highest pending amount exceeded Rs 3.5 crore. Officials warned that if the dues are not cleared, allotments will be cancelled under the provisions of the lease deed and building regulations. Further action will be taken to ensure timely recovery of dues and proper utilisation of the allotted plots. The Noida CEO stressed the importance of recovering dues and ensuring land is utilised as per the terms of the allotment agreement. "If the payments are not made as specified in the notice guidelines, the cancellation process for the concerned plots will be initiated without further delay," an official said. Additionally, the Authority will take action against defaulters who fail to respond after receiving three or more notices. If payments are not made, allotments will be cancelled in accordance with the terms of the lease deed and building regulations. The accounts department has been instructed to issue demand notices to all defaulters, and all property departments will follow up by issuing overdue notices based on the latest outstanding payment records. Future departmental reviews will continue to track defaulters, and additional notices will be issued to maintain accountability and land use efficiency, officials said. Source : Times of India INDIA

Greater Noida homebuyers get hope as SC seeks financial details on delayed project

3/20/2025 10:25:00 AM

NEW DELHI: In an important decision which will allow homebuyers to take charge of their societies even if the project has not been completed, National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has held that once the Apartment Owners Association gets registered, management of the complex's common areas and facilities has to be transferred from the promoter to the association. A bench headed by chairperson of NCLAT Justice Ashok Bhushan said a real estate company has no right to resist handing over of maintenance to the association. The tribunal passed the order on a plea by the homebuyers' association of Supernova housing project in Noida, being developed by Supertech Ltd, that management of the complex be handed over to it. The bench directed the company to hand over the charge within seven days. Advocate Govind Jee, appearing for the homebuyers, told the tribunal that Supernova apartment owners had formed an association which was registered under Uttar Pradesh Apartment (Promotion of Construction, Ownership and Maintenance) Act and they should be allowed to take over management which was being looked after by a company called YG Estates. The homebuyers approached the tribunal as the project is under insolvency. Supertech argued that as per law, an association could be formed only when at least 33% of homebuyers had taken possession of their flats. In Supernova's case, only 27% of the total project has received occupancy certificate from Noida. There are 2,165 units in the project. The bench, also comprising members Barun Mitra and Arun Baroka, said it was a statutory obligation for the promoter and apartment owners to form an association. Rejecting the company's plea that 33% of apartments have to be handed over before an association is formed and that the present association was not a valid one, the tribunal said, "We are of the view that the association having been registered and the registration of association still being valid it is not open for YG Estates to contend that registration of the association is not in accordance with the law. The issue with regard to non-fulfilment of the necessary conditions for registration of the association cannot be allowed to be raised in these proceedings nor can it be examined in these applications. When the association has been registered, it has to be presumed that registration was made after compliance of all necessary requirements." As the parties raised questions on clearing the dues, National Company Law Appellate Tribunal directed them to appear before the Interim Resolution Professional and arrive at a settlement. "We are of the view that in these proceedings, the issues pertaining to outstanding of YG Estates or any amount accepted by YG Estates cannot be gone into or decided. We are of the view that such issues can be raised before the Interim Resolution Process who is overall in-charge of all projects and management. It is for the Interim Resolution Process to take a call and take necessary steps for settlement of accounts between the parties," it said. Source : Times of India INDIA

NBCC Green View’s three towers set for demolition in Gurugram

3/19/2025 10:37:00 AM

Gurgaon: Three towers of NBCC Green View will be razed. The district administration has granted permission for demolition of towers E, F and G — along with surrounding structures and services — at NBCC Green View in Sector 37D. The approval was issued following a request by NBCC (India) Ltd., which had submitted a representation on Jan 22. NBCC had sought permission to demolish these three towers on priority, as several balconies of Tower F had collapsed in 2024, posing a serious threat to a school adjacent to the complex. The ownership of these towers remains with NBCC, as the units were never sold. The decision was finalised at a meeting held on Feb 10 under the chairmanship of deputy commissioner. The demolition approval marks a significant step in resolving the long-pending crisis faced by homebuyers, who have been waiting for a resolution since their forced evacuation in 2022. Permission to demolish other towers, which were vacated by the flat owners, is still awaited as settlement with flat owners is pending. In a letter to authorities earlier, NBCC highlighted the urgent need to demolish the unsafe structures. "Due to the deteriorating condition of the building, multiple balconies of Tower F collapsed on Aug 9, 2024 and again on Sept 9, 2024. The risk of further collapse threatens the safety of nearby residents and the adjacent school," an NBCC official said in the letter. The company assured that demolition would be conducted using high-reach machines in a controlled manner by a private agency. Authorities have directed NBCC to follow all safety and environmental norms during demolition. The company must obtain necessary no objection certificates (NOCs) from concerned departments and submit fortnightly progress reports. Officials have also warned that NBCC will be held solely responsible for any mishaps. Representatives from key administrative and technical departments — including the additional deputy commissioner, the district town planner (enforcement) and the public works department (PWD) — were present at the Feb 10 meeting chaired by the DC. After extensive deliberations, officials agreed to allow the demolition, provided NBCC adheres to all prescribed guidelines. According to the order, the demolition will proceed in compliance with the applicable policies and guidelines. The district commissioner's order said, "After detailed deliberation at a meeting held on Feb 10 with officials from relevant departments, it was decided to allow the demolition of the mentioned towers, subject to adherence to all regulations." The order issued on Tuesday further added, "Accordingly, following the necessary NOC provided by the concerned departments as per their policy parameters, the permission is allowed for demolition of Towers E, F & G along with surrounding structures/services of Group Housing Society, namely, NBCC Green View, Sector 37 D, Gurgaon. Further, it is also directed that you shall comply with all guidelines as suggested by the concerned departments before execution. The necessary instructions issued by the concerned departments are enclosed herewith for further compliance." Source : Times of India INDIA

Ghaziabad Set for Growth: Development Body Approves Inclusion of 77 Villages

3/19/2025 10:36:00 AM

Ghaziabad: Seventy-seven villages along Delhi-Meerut Expressway (DME) and Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE)—some of them in Baghpat's Kekhra tehsil and others in Loni and Modinagar—will be integrated into the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) for planned development. The GDA board, which met in Meerut on Tuesday, approved the proposal to assimilate these revenue villages. The integration process will start once UP govt ratifies the plan. "The NCR Planning Board's proposal to assimilate 32 revenue villages along EPE and 29 along DME, which are within 500m of the expressways has got the board's backing now. Sixteen other villages under Hapur-Pilakhua Development Authority will also be integrated with GDA," GDA secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said. The villages, currently under panchayats, have seen unregulated growth due to their proximity to the expressways. "After a notification from UP govt, GDA will be vested with power to draw up plans as per its building by-laws to ensure the planned growth of the area," Singh added. The board also approved GDA's budget for 2025-26 financial year (FY), which proposes to spend Rs 2,132.23 crore under various heads and expects to mop up a revenue of Rs 2,623.4 crore. In the FY 2024-25, GDA generated revenue of Rs 1,599.6 crore while it spent Rs 915.7 crore. The board also approved a proposal to extend by one year the decision to freeze the price of 1,531 GDA properties, valued at Rs 534.1 crore, till March 31, 2026. "In July last year, GDA, with the intent to woo buyers, decided to freeze property rates till March 31, 2025. The board on Tuesday extended it till the next fiscal year," Singh said. The per unit cost ranges from Rs 5.7 lakh for EWS units to Rs 69.42 lakh in different housing schemes, which offer 1 to 3 BHKs, mini-LIG, LIG and EWS flats. "GDA board also approved a proposal to relocate 373 plots in pocket E of Madhuban Bapudham residential project. These plots, sold off to buyers by the development authority as park-facing land, currently face a crematorium. Since then, the buyers have been agitating that they be relocated elsewhere within the township," said Singh. GDA acquired 800 acres of land for the housing scheme based on mutual consent from farmers. But it was forced to revisit land rates of developed plots after farmers, who hold about 281 acres, moved the Allahabad High Court in 2004. "The farmers first moved the court, saying the land compensation must be awarded to them under the Land Acquisition (Rehabilitation & Resettlement) Act, 2013, but the decision was given in favour of GDA. But in 2007, the aggrieved farmers moved the Supreme Court to challenge HC's decision. The SC ruled in favour of the farmers. The GDA board on Tuesday approved a proposal under which 6% of developed land in the 800 acres acquired from farmers at mutually agreed rates and 20% of the developed 281 acres, which was acquired as per the Land Acquisition Act, will be given to the farmers at a lower rate of at Rs 26,500/sqm, said Singh. A developed plot has amenities such as roads, sewers, shopping complexes, schools and parks. Source : Times of India INDIA

Haryana Budget: CM Announces Affordable Housing for Migrants & Support for Gig Workers

3/18/2025 10:42:00 AM

Chandigarh, Mar 17 (PTI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced the launch of a new scheme on Monday to empower gig workers and ensure their social security coverage. A dedicated portal will be created for all gig workers in the state, allowing them to register and connect with various government schemes and opportunities. He added that all gig workers registered on this portal will receive insurance protection, including health, accident, and life insurance. The aim of this initiative is to provide financial stability, social security, and improved working conditions for gig workers, enabling them to become more self-reliant and active contributors to Haryana’s economic development. Saini, who also holds the Finance portfolio, made this statement while presenting the budget for 2025-26 in the state assembly. Haryana has set a deadline of March 31, 2025, to implement three new criminal laws, Saini informed the Assembly during his budget speech. The chief minister said that fast-track courts will be established in every district of the state to ensure the speedy trial and punishment of drug-related cases. Additionally, a centralised NDPS monitoring cell will be set up at the state level. A proposal of Rs. 10 crore has been made for the development and implementation of modern technologies, such as drones, to maintain law and order. Cyber police cells will also be established at the sub-division level in districts with a high incidence of cybercrimes, he announced. In the social welfare sector, Saini revealed that a "Divyangjan Kosh" (Fund for Differently-abled Persons) will be established in the state, with a budget provision of Rs 50 crore. Touching upon environmental matters, Saini outlined plans for the conservation and growth of rare and endangered native tree species, ensuring the protection of their gene pool. Additionally, an environmental training center will be established in Industrial Model Township, Manesar, Gurugram. To prevent pollution in the Ghaggar and Yamuna rivers caused by immersion after worship and factory leakages, the Haryana Pollution Control Board will introduce a new arrangement. This will respect the faith of the people by providing designated immersion sites along the riverbanks. During his budget speech, Saini stated that the state government aims to provide clean and affordable rental housing to urban migrants, unorganised sector workers and economically weaker sections (EWS) through the Affordable Rental Housing Scheme under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) 2.0. This initiative will offer short-term rental housing options for those who do not wish to purchase their own homes. A pilot project will be launched to rent out approximately 1,600 flats in various sectors of Sonipat at concessional rates for 25 years, using a transparent system. The Chief Minister also announced an allocation of Rs 2444.27 crore for the ‘Housing for All’ scheme in 2025-26, which is an increase of 303.8 percent from Rs 605.30 crore allocated last year. Additionally, the Housing Board will be merged with Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran in the financial year 2025-26. An amount of Rs. 300 crore was allocated for the modernization of Haryana Police to equip police personnel with the latest and most advanced technology, as well as to enhance their capacity. Saini also mentioned that under the ‘Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana,’ elderly individuals from low-income families were provided with the facility to visit ‘Ayodhya Teerth’ and take a dip in the Sangam during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Yatras to Mata Vaishno Devi and Shirdi Sai Temple will be started in the financial year 2025-26. He stated that there are currently nine labour courts functioning in Haryana for the prompt settlement of industrial disputes, including one each in Ambala, Panipat, Hisar, and Rohtak, two in Gurugram and three in Faridabad. To make the dispute settlement process more accessible, the number of labour courts will be increased to 14. To promote women’s empowerment, the government has decided to build a ‘Mahila Chaupal’ (Women’s Forum) in every village. In the first phase, 754 villages have been identified for this project. Meanwhile, Saini made a provision of Rs 5 crore for each MLA to support development works in their respective constituencies during the tenure of the assembly. This amount will be disbursed in three instalments. Each MLA will need to submit a prioritized list of development works totaling Rs 5 crore for their constituency. Source : Economic Times INDIA

Haryana RERA sends Ninaniya Estates' director to civil jail over unpaid refund

3/18/2025 10:41:00 AM

Gurgaon: The director of a realty firm was on Monday sent to civil prison for one month after failing to comply with a Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (HRera) order in a refund case. A "civil prison" refers to a jail or place used for the detention of a person who is not a criminal prisoner. Such cases involve failure to pay a debt or comply with a court order. Ninaniya Estates Limited director Prateek Rao was arrested following an execution petition filed by decree holders seeking the enforcement of Rs 26,07,780 refund order issued by the regulator on Nov 15, 2023. The regulator had earlier directed the firm directors — Prateek Rao and Rahul Kumar Pathak — to disclose their assets and bank details by Sept 3, 2024 through a sworn affidavit. However, they failed to comply, leading the court to issue arrest warrants under Order XXI Rule 41 (3) of the CPC. Since the bailiff could not arrest the directors, police assistance was sought. Subsequently, Rao was taken into custody and produced in court by ASI Ram Pal of Kherki Dhaula police station and the bailiff. During the hearing, Rao admitted to being a director of the realty firm but failed to justify why the affidavit was not submitted, except claiming he was unaware of the case. Given the circumstances, the HRera sentenced him to one month in civil prison. He has been sent to Bhondsi Jail and will be produced before the adjudicating officer on April 16, 2025. The jail superintendent has been directed to submit a report regarding the diet money, which the decree holder must deposit. Meanwhile, legal proceedings against co-director Rahul Kumar Pathak are pending, with further action expected, a senior HRera official said. On March 11, TOI had reported that the Gurgaon bench of Haryana Rera has so far issued more than 500 arrest warrants against builders for contempt of its orders, but not a single arrest warrant has been executed. Source : Times of India INDIA

Chandigarh Real Estate Update: Collector Rate Hike from April 1, 2025 – A Boost for Property Investments!

3/17/2025 10:51:00 AM

Chandigarh Real Estate Set for a Positive Shift: Collector Rate Hike from April 1, 2025, to Boost Investment Potential Chandigarh's real estate market is poised for a significant transformation as the administration announces a substantial increase in property collector rates, effective from April 1, 2025. This move is expected to redefine property valuations across different sectors, creating new opportunities for investors, developers, and homebuyers. While an increase in rates might initially appear as a challenge, it signals strong economic growth, infrastructural development, and greater market transparency—key factors that attract long-term investors. Key Highlights of the Collector Rate Revision Residential Property Rates: Premium sectors (Sector 1-12) will see an increase of 130%, bringing property values in line with the city's growing demand for high-end real estate. Mid-range residential areas (Sector 14-37) will experience a 96% increase, making these locations more attractive for modern housing developments. Emerging residential sectors (Sector 38 and beyond) will witness an 80% hike, reflecting rising demand in newer parts of the city. Commercial & Industrial Property Rates: Rural commercial land is set for a fivefold increase, which will help streamline investment and development in previously underutilized areas. Industrial sectors (Phase I & II) will see a 30% hike, signaling a positive push for industrial expansion and economic growth. Agricultural Land & Peripheral Development: Agricultural land rates will rise by 2.5 times, encouraging systematic land use and sustainable development projects. A Positive Outlook for Real Estate Growth While higher collector rates mean increased costs for property buyers, they also enhance market credibility, ensuring transparency in real estate transactions. These changes will create a more structured and sustainable real estate ecosystem, attracting long-term investments from both domestic and international markets. For investors, this is the perfect opportunity to enter the Chandigarh property market before prices rise further. Whether you're looking for residential property, commercial spaces, or industrial land, this revision is a strong indicator of Chandigarh’s future real estate boom. Stay ahead of the market and make informed decisions to capitalize on this exciting phase of Chandigarh’s real estate growth. Source: Chandigarh Administration Notification, MagicBricks, 99acres, Janta Serishta, Local News Reports. India

Chandigarh: CHB's sector 53 housing scheme’s future under cloud again

3/15/2025 10:23:00 AM

Chandigarh: After many failed attempts, the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) Sector 53 self-financing housing scheme faces another stumbling block – an increase in the proposed flat prices following a revision in the collector rates, which will become effective from April 1. In the recently concluded demand survey for the scheme, nearly 7,500 applicants expressed their interest. In a previous survey (2018-19), the scheme received only 178 applications. However, with the collector rate set for a major revision from next month, CHB officials say, the prices of the apartments are set to increase by 32% to 38%, depending on the category of the flat. According to a senior CHB official, who didn't want to be named, "The 3-BHK flat, which is currently priced at Rs 1.65 crore, is likely to be priced at Rs 2.29 crore if the proposed collector rates are made effective. Similarly, the 2-BHK prices are set to increase from Rs 1.40 crore to Rs 1.97 crore. For the EWS flat, the price is likely to rise from Rs 55 lakh to Rs 73 lakh," said the official. As the new increased collector rates are to become effective from April 1, CHB officials say if the Sector 53 housing is launched within this month (March), then only the proposed rates in the demand survey will remain effective. If the scheme is launched after April 1, then the prices of flats will have to be revised. "The prices of the scheme are to be based on the collector rates, and if the collector rates are revised, then the prices will also have to be revised. In the changed circumstances, the latest demand survey will be irrelevant as the applicants didn't apply for the new rates after April 1," said the official. CHB initiated the demand survey for the self-financing housing scheme in Sector 53 on February 22, and March 3 was the closing date for the submission of applications. The scheme has three categories of flats, including sub-scheme A - HIG (192 units); sub-scheme B - MIG (100 units); and sub-scheme C - EWS (80 units). The demand survey was conducted for the allotment of flats without any commitment. The launch of the Sector 53 housing scheme was marred by delays for several years since it was first planned in 2018. This is the third time the self-financing housing scheme, planned on a 9-acre plot in Sector 53, is being considered by the board. Last year, just when the CHB was planning to launch the project, it was junked by the then UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit. Earlier this year, the administration reviewed its decision and directed the CHB to give a presentation to the chief secretary on the project. The scheme could not be launched in 2018 after a demand survey revealed that there were not many takers for the scheme because of the high cost of dwelling units. For 492 flats that were planned to be constructed under the scheme, only 178 applications were received in the demand survey. A one-bedroom set was priced at a whopping Rs 86 lakh, 2BHK for Rs 1.28 crore, and 3BHK priced at Rs 1.5 crore. In March 2020, the board scrapped the scheme in Sector 53. However, the officers were asked to consider framing a new scheme with a lesser cost. In 2022, for the revival of the scheme, CHB dropped the plan to construct 100 one-room flats. Under the revived scheme, CHB then in 2023 planned to offer 372 flats in three categories — 192 three-bedroom, 100 two-bedroom, and 80 two-bedroom EWS flats. CHB reserves the right to abandon the scheme for the said project without assigning any reasons whatsoever. Source : Times of India INDIA

Individual housing loans in Delhi surge 14% to Rs 33.53 lakh crore in 2024

3/13/2025 10:19:00 AM

Housing loans outstanding reached ₹33.53 lakh crore by the end of September, marking a 14% year-on-year growth, with the Middle-Income Group (MIG) segment accounting for the maximum credit at 44%. The outlook for the housing sector remains positive, fueled by initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana 2.0, urbanization, and digitization, a report by National Housing Bank has said. However, regional disparities in credit flow pose a challenge, as Southern, Western, and Northern states dominate housing finance disbursements, while the eastern and northeastern regions see lower penetration, it said. National Housing Bank (NHB), a statutory body under the Government of India has released the Report on Trends and Progress of Housing in India, 2024 that covers the housing scenario and house price movements, flagship programmes of the government on housing sector, role of Primary Lending Institutions (PLIs) in providing housing credit, performance of Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) and outlook for the sector. "As on September 30, 2024, EWS and LIG accounted for 39 per cent, MIG accounted for 44 per cent and HIG accounted for 17 per cent of outstanding individual housing loans," the report said. It said individual housing loan disbursements during the half year ended September 2024 were ₹4.10 lakh crore while disbursements during the year ended March 2024 were ₹9.07 lakh crore. "Major initiatives of GoI, such as PMAY-G, PMAY-U, impact assessment of PMAY-U, Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF), Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHC) scheme, etc. have been covered in the report," it said. It also said the outlook for the housing sector remains promising, driven by budget announcements on PMAY 2.0, urbanisation, transit-oriented development, digitisation and other factors. The report noted that housing finance companies (HFCs) have played a pivotal role in the Indian housing sector by catering to the diverse needs of homebuyers. Owing to their flexible eligibility criteria, robust customer service, efficient documentation, and reduced processing time, HFCs have secured their place in the Indian financial landscape. Challenges to be addressed by the housing sector The report identifies regional disparities in credit flow and vulnerability to climate related risks, as some of the key challenges to be addressed by the sector. It also identifies technological advancements in construction, digitization of land records etc. as some of the factors which will facilitate growth opportunities for the sector. The Southern, Western and Northern States of the country account for 35.02 per cent, 30.14 per cent and 28.73 per cent share respectively, of the cumulative disbursements done during H1FY 2024-25 whereas the share of Eastern states (inclusive of the north-eastern states) is 6.10 per cent. The North-eastern states account for 0.68 per cent of the total IHL disbursements during the H1FY 2024-25, it noted. Vulnerability to climate-related risks, such as floods, fires, and extreme weather events. There is a growing need to make buildings more resilient and energy efficient, it said. At present, there are limited number of institutions providing green building certifications and there is no equivalence of rating certifications provided by different agencies. The higher cost of green materials for construction is challenging, it added. This is what real estate experts have to say about the NHB report Commenting on the report, Ashok Kapur, chairman, Krishna Group and Krisumi Corporation, said that India’s housing sector is on a strong growth path, fueled by rising homeownership aspirations, rapid urban expansion, and supportive policies. The National Housing Bank's report highlights this momentum, with individual housing loans increasing by 14% and home prices continuing their steady rise. Pradeep Aggarwal, founder and chairman, Signature Global (India) Ltd, said that the NHB report reinforces “what we’ve been seeing in the market—the mid-income group (MIG) is becoming the backbone of the housing sector, making up 44% of outstanding individual housing loans. This segment is growing rapidly, driven by urbanization, increasing incomes, and supportive government policies, reflecting a strong desire for homeownership.” Source : Hindustan Times INDIA

Court stays trial proceedings against M3M Realty's MD in Ireo group case

3/13/2025 10:18:00 AM

Chandigarh: A special PMLA court in Panchkula on Tuesday stayed the trial proceedings against Roop Kumar Bansal, managing director of M3M Realty, in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case related to the Ireo group of companies. The court, presided over by Rajeev Goyal, issued the stay following an application filed by Bansal last year. Bansal, who was arrested by the ED in 2022, had been facing trial in the case. Defence counsel Yavneet Dhakla argued that there had been no progress in the FIR and presented examples of similar cases where courts had granted relief to accused individuals. Dhakla specifically cited the case involving former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, where the PMLA court paused proceedings due to the absence of a charge-sheet and ongoing investigations. Dhakla also submitted a list of FIRs filed against the Ireo group and its associates, pointing out that several cases had been quashed, closure reports filed, or proceedings stayed. Bansal's name surfaced in the FIR filed by Haryana's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in June 2022, which led to the arrest of several individuals, including former CBI judge Sudhir Parmar, Bansal's brother and nephew, and others. Bansal was later arrested in connection with the Ireo group case, and in Aug 2022, the ED filed a chargesheet against him, beginning the trial process. Bansal subsequently moved the court to pause the proceedings, which was granted. Source : Times of India INDIA

Allahabad HC Cautions Uttar Pradesh Govt Over Use of Private Land Sans Due Legal Process

3/12/2025 11:03:00 AM

The Allahabad High Court has warned the state authorities against the use of land of private citizens without following the proper legal procedure of acquisition. A division bench of Justices Manoj Kumar Gupta and Anish Kumar Gupta said in case of any default while taking land of the owner, heavy penalty would be imposed on the erring officers. Allowing the plea of one Kanyawati from Bareilly district, the court said, "The state authorities are required to be cautious that they should not utilise the land of the citizens without due authority of law or without following the proper procedure of acquisition." Else, the court said, the authorities if found responsible for such utilisation of land without due procedure of law should be held responsible personally and the court will have to impose "heavy penalty" on the authorities, which would be recovered from their personal account. Kanyawati had purchased a piece of land in Bareilly district. At the time of the purchase, the revenue record reflected Chak Road to be south of the petitioner's plot. The road was subsequently widened and a portion of her land was acquired without due compensation. Upon an RTI inquiry, the petitioner was informed there was no record for any acquisition proceedings for petitioner's land. Despite repeated representations to the authority for compensation, the petitioner received no response. She later moved the high court and her petition was disposed of with a direction to "the district magistrate- Bareilly to refer the matter to the district level committee in terms of the government order of May 12, 2016 for the determination of entitlement of compensation. The district level committee rejected her claim stating that initially the road was 3-metre wide and an extra 2.5 metre was available on both sides, therefore, by widening the road 1.25 metre, no individual right of the tenure holder was infringed. She against moved court with the present plea. The court observed the initial road was developed by the Sugar Industry and Cane Development Department around 20 years ago without any acquisition and it was subsequently widened by the PWD by taking away a certain portion of petitioner's land without proper acquisition process. Having perused the Tehsildar report, the court held the Constitution granted the right to property under Article 300A and prohibited deprivation of property without following due procedure of law. "The land of a person cannot be acquired without payment or due compensation in accordance with law. There is no concept of implied consent for utilising the land of a citizen without following the due procedure and without payment of compensation. The property of a citizen can be acquired for public purposes on payment of reasonable compensation in accordance with law," the bench said. While noting the petitioner ran from "pillar to post" to determine how her land was acquired by the PWD, the court held she was entitled to compensation in accordance with the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. The court in its judgment dated March 4, 2025 directed the district level committee to determine the compensation of the land of the petitioner taken for road widening and pay the same within a period of four weeks along with interest as provided in the said Act. Source : Times of India INDIA

No coercive action against Noida's Lotus Greens in irregularities case

3/12/2025 11:03:00 AM

New Delhi, The Supreme Court has ordered no coercive action against builder Lotus Greens in a case of irregularities over its Noida real estate project. A bench Justices M M Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal issued notice to the UP government and others on a plea filed by the developer. "Issue notice. In the meantime, the proceedings shall go on, but no coercive steps shall be taken," the bench said on March 7. The top court's order came after Lotus Green Constructions challenged an order of the Allahabad High Court. On February 24, the high court ordered a CBI probe into the matter concerning the developer's Sports City project, citing violations in its execution. The high court directed the CBI to lodge a complaint against all the "conniving officials" of the Noida authority and the allottees or builders involved in the allotment, development, sanction of the project and any other person who might be involved. The Noida authority was further directed to issue notices to all stakeholders within a week, demanding full payment of outstanding dues, including interest and penalties. "In case the allotments are cancelled, Noida authority can call for the fresh bids as per the current market rate, which will certainly be far much higher than the allotted rate. This direction is issued keeping in view the fact that the CAG had pointed out that Noida had suffered a loss of 9,000 crore, in which incorrect pricing was one of the main factors," the high court order said. Reacting to the apex court order, a spokesperson for Lotus Greens said, "The company has full faith in the honourable apex court. We are hopeful that the apex court's intervention would deliver much-awaited justice to the consortium partners and their home buyers." The Sports City project in Noida's Sector 150 was launched in June 2014, covering 12 lakh squaremeter. It was designed with 70 per cent land allocation for sports facilities and open areas whereas 30 per cent was reserved for group housing and commercial purposes. Lotus Greens, a leading a consortium of developers, secured the project in September 2014 through a technical and financial bidding process. Source : Hindustan Times INDIA

Noida : SC Stays Coercive Action Against Lotus Greens Over Sports City Project

3/11/2025 10:24:00 AM

Noida: The Supreme Court has stayed coercive action against the developer of Sports City project in Sector 150, granting it interim relief but allowing proceedings to continue. Last month, the Allahabad high court had ordered a CBI inquiry into an alleged nexus between builders and Noida Authority officials, where multiple benefits were purportedly granted to developers in violation of the scheme. On Friday, the apex court — which was hearing a plea by Lotus Green Constructions against the HC order — said the investigating agency could proceed, but no coercive steps should be taken. "Permission to file special leave petition is granted… Issue notice. In the meantime, the proceedings shall go on, but no coercive steps shall be taken," read the order by Justices MM Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal. On Feb 24, the HC dismissed a plea by Lotus Green seeking relief from Noida Authority, in a case clubbed with seven other petitions by various promoters. It asked the CBI to lodge a complaint against all Authority officials and builders involved in the allotment, development, and sanction of the Sports City project, as well as any other party linked to what the court called a "scam". The bench also ordered the Authority to issue notices against all stakeholders in the Sector 150 Sports City, demanding outstanding dues within a week in keeping with the contract, including penal interest. It granted a reasonable timeframe for developers to clear payments and warned that allotments would be automatically cancelled if the dues weren't paid. Last week, the Authority served notices to developers of four Sports City projects across Noida, including Lotus Green, instructing them to clear dues within a month. These dues included premiums and interest on them, lease rent, 64.7% additional compensation, and time extension fees. Developers who fail to pay within the stipulated period will face further action, the HC specified. It was in June 2014 that the Authority launched the Sports City scheme for Sector 150, spanning 12 lakh sqm. The plan allocated 70% of the land to sports facilities and 30% for group housing and commercial use. Lotus Green consortium received an allotment letter in Sept 2014. Over the years, the land was subdivided among 24 developers, 13 of whom secured layout approvals from the Authority. While they went ahead with commercial and residential aspects of the projects, sports facilities were not built as intended. More than 10,000 homebuyers are stuck in uncertainty, while dues worth Rs 2,700 crore are yet to be cleared with the Authority. Some consortium members, including Samriddhi, Eldeco, Homekraft, and Godrej, began construction, but large portions of land are yet to be developed. Last year, the public accounts committee of the legislative assembly — while reviewing CAG's objections to the Sports City project in Sept 2020 — asked the Authority to approve the revised layout plan submitted by Lotus Greens if it met norms of the scheme. The proposal went before the Authority's board, which decided to seek the govt's approval. However, the govt did not grant clearance because of alleged irregularities. A spokesperson for Lotus Greens said, "The company has full faith in the Apex Court. We are hopeful that the court's intervention will bring long-awaited justice to the consortium partners and their homebuyers. Land was allocated to the company in 2014, and the Master Plan was approved in 2017. However, a ban was imposed in Jan 2021. Before the ban, and after the sanctioning of layout maps, construction of the cricket ground, multi-purpose playfield, and golf course was underway, despite COVID-related restrictions. During the PAC hearing, the Noida Authority acknowledged that work on these sports facilities was in progress and would have been completed within six months had the ban not been imposed." "As the lead member, we request the court to take up this matter and deliver justice to our consortium partners and homebuyers by lifting the blanket ban on SC-02 Sports City, allowing all pending projects to proceed," the spokesperson further stated. Source : Times of India INDIA

Gurugram : Four Cement Plants Get GMDA Notice for Road Damage

3/11/2025 10:23:00 AM

Gurgaon: GMDA has issued notices to four ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants for illegally accessing roads in sectors 112, 114, 78 and 79A. The enforcement action follows a site inspection by GMDA officials, revealing that the roads, constructed a year ago, suffered damage from heavy trucks and slurry spillage. The spillage from vehicles also contributed to dust pollution, further deteriorating air quality in the area, officials said. The infrastructure division of GMDA reported the issue to the enforcement wing for action and in response, district town planner (DTP) of GMDA issued gave the plant owners 48 hours to produce valid access permission documents. Failure to present the necessary approvals could result in further legal and administrative actions, including possible shutdowns or penalties, officials said. In addition to illegal access, GMDA is also examining whether these plants are complying with zonal regulations and have the necessary permissions to operate within residential and commercial zones as per the development plan of the Gurugram-Manesar Urban Complex-2031 AD (GMUC-2031 AD). "We have issued notices and will take action if plants are found operating without permissions. Such drives will continue in the future for the betterment of the environment," DTP RS Batth said. The authority is also considering stricter penalties to deter unauthorized activities that compromise urban infrastructure and environmental safety. Meanwhile, residents of the affected sectors have welcomed GMDA's intervention, saying that concerns over deteriorating road conditions and increasing dust pollution were finally being addressed. Source : Times of India INDIA

FIRs Registered Against Ansal API for Fraud

3/10/2025 11:18:00 AM

Lucknow: As many as 14 more FIRs were registered against Ansal API at Sushant Golf City police station in Lucknow. Earlier, two cases were lodged at Gomtinagar and Hazratganj police stations. The company's directors are accused of cheating buyers for failing to deliver plots and villas, despite taking substantial payments. Several affected buyers accused Ansal Infra's directors of fraud and intimidation when they inquired about their undelivered properties. One of the biggest fraud claims comes from Anupam Agarwal, a resident of Emaar Gomti Greens, who paid Rs 2.32 crore in Sep 2022 for a 1,528 sq ft plot. He was assured immediate registration but found the land was already sold for Rs 3.33 crore to another buyer. He alleged the accused attempted to extort Rs 2 crore in black from him. Several buyers filed complaints against the Ansal Group, detailing significant financial losses. Some of them include: Retired Army Captain Kanhaiya Lal who lost Rs 12.81 lakh, Rakesh Chandra Srivastava of Gomtinagar Extension who lost Rs 3.5 lakh, Pushplata Bajpai of Aliganj who lost Rs 13.21 lakh, Veena Chandani of Aashiana who lost Rs 16.63 lakh, Arun Kumar of Azamgarh who lost Rs 17.50 lakh, Birendra Kumar Giri of Lucknow who lost Rs 30 lakh, Prashant Kumar who lost Rs 24 lakh, Umashankar Mishra who lost Rs 30.74 lakh, Sadia Bano who lost Rs 7.02 lakh, Ashish Kaushal who lost Rs 10.92 lakh, Anju Goel who lost Rs 23.02 lakh, Naveen Kumar Singh who lost Rs 5.71 lakh, while Kailash Chandra of Omaxe City faced non-registration of three plots. All have accused the API owners and promoters of fraud. Investors accused Ansal Properties & Infrastructure directors, including Pranav Ansal, Sushil Ansal, Rajeshwar Rao, Vikas Singh, Vinay Tiwari, Prashant, and Manoj Kapoor, of orchestrating one of the largest real estate frauds in UP's history. Source : Times of India INDIA

Delhi HC : Survey Needed of Residents of Slum Facing Demolition

3/10/2025 11:17:00 AM

New Delhi: Delhi High Court has said a survey may be needed of residents of a slum in the Okhla area facing demolition action by DDA. Refusing to stay the demolition process, HC on Friday underlined that the "main question is about the survey" of the area before it can intervene to halt a demolition drive. "The basti might be on the list (of those eligible for rehabilitation) but who are the residents there, that's the question. How do we make that determination? The main question is about the survey. It has to be demarcated," a bench of Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyay and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela pointed out to the petitioner counsel while hearing an appeal filed by the locals. The slum dwellers, under the aegis of an organisation "Dhobi Ghat Jhuggi Adhikar Manch", challenged a single judge's decision to dismiss their plea against the demolition of a slum in the Okhla Dhobi Ghat area, saying it was illegal and posed a significant threat to the ecologically sensitive floodplain. DDA has maintained the that the colony in question is not protected under the JJ Clusters List for rehabilitation published by Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board. Justice Dharmesh Sharma had earlier concluded that the "so-called members" of the petitioner were not entitled to any compensation or rehabilitation as they were "rank trespassers" who repeatedly returned to the site, which was acquired by the DDA for developing a biodiversity park. "Since the subject site was acquired by DDA for the channelisation and protection of Yamuna, the removal of the petitioner union from the subject site serves the greater public interest," the court noted. It also cited DUSIB Act, 2010, and a 2015 policy, observing not every slum dweller or JJ Basti was automatically entitled to alternate housing. "The JJ Basti in question is not part of the 675 notified JJ Bastis listed by DUSIB, further establishing that the residents of the petitioner union are occupying the area illegally," the court observed in its verdict. The encroachment in the area, the court said, disrupted the natural flow of water and, according to experts, recurring floods in Delhi were primarily driven by such unlawful settlements on drains and the riverbed. Dismissing the plea, it also imposed Rs 10,000 as costs on the petitioner organisation that claimed the Dhobi Ghat jhuggi cluster existed since the 1990s, but on Sept 23, 2020, the police asked its residents to vacate their shelters owing to a proposed demolition the following day. Source : Times of India INDIA

Delay in funds holds up structural audits in 20 housing societies in Gurugram

3/8/2025 11:20:00 AM

Gurgaon: Structural audits of 20 residential societies have come to a halt as builders and resident welfare associations (RWAs) have failed to deposit the required funds. The department of town and country planning (DTCP) has been issuing notices to builders and RWAs for over a year, but no action has been taken. Despite three meetings convened by the deputy commissioner with builders and RWAs, the issue remains unresolved, leaving the structural safety assessments in limbo. In the first phase, the builders bore the cost of structural audits. However, during the second phase, they objected, leading to an intervention by former chief minister Manohar Lal. It was decided that both builders and RWAs would share the cost equally. Since then, both parties have resisted payment, causing delays. Despite multiple notices over the past year, neither builders nor RWAs have shown seriousness in resolving the matter. District town planner of the enforcement wing of DTCP Amit Madholia said, "Repeated notices have been issued to builders and RWAs regarding structural audits, but they have not deposited the required funds. This is preventing the completion of the process. The DC has been informed about the situation." After an incident in Sector 109's Chintels Paradiso society on Feb 10, 2022 — where living rooms of five flats in tower D collapsed, resulting in the deaths of two women — the district administration took complaints of plaster peeling off in residential buildings more seriously. Around 75 societies had reported such concerns, leading to an initial round of structural inspections. In the first phase, 15 residential societies were selected for structural audits, with all but Raheja Atharva (Sector 109) having completed the process. The identified structural deficiencies were communicated to builders for rectification, and they bore the cost of the audits. For the second phase, 23 more societies were identified for inspection. However, two societies are under the National Company Law Tribunal, reducing the number to 21. Among them, only NBCC Heights in Sector 89 has completed its structural audit after the builder and RWA deposited the required amount. Builders of BPTP Park Serene (Sector 37D) and Satya Hermitage (Sector 103) have paid 50% of the fees, but their respective RWAs have not contributed their share. The remaining 18 societies have neither paid the fees nor cooperated in the process. They include Indiabulls Centrum Park (Sector 103), Paras Dews (Sector 106), ATS Tourmaline (Sector 109), Vatika G-21 (Sector 83), SS Coralwood (Sector 84), Takshila Heights (Sector 37C), GPL Eden Heights (Sector 70), Vipul Lavanya (Sector 81), Orris Aster Court (Sector 85), Parsvnath Green Ville (Sector 48), SS Hibiscus (Sector 50), Wembley Estate (Sector 50), Bestech Park View Sanskriti (Sector 93), Ansal Estella (Sector 103), Raheja Navodaya (Sector 92), Aloha Apartments (Sector 57), Raheja Atharva (Sector 109) and SS Almeria (Sector 84). Source : Times of India INDIA

Chandigarh housing board allottees cry harassment over rule tweak, lax service delivery

3/8/2025 11:19:00 AM

Chandigarh: "Pure and simple harassment" is what Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) allottees say when asked to describe their interaction with the board. The issues related to CHB's "poor" delivery of services and procedural complexities were taken up in a recent meeting of the administrator's advisory council and the CHB board of directors. Shakti Prakash Devshali, a non-official director of the CHB board, said, "CHB officials issue show-cause notices to the allottees based on anonymous complaints. People make up complaints about building rule violations owing to personal issues or to blackmail the allottees. There are vested interests in and outside the CHB, which try to exploit this." Devshali, said the CHB officials also harass allottees over mistakes in the spellings of their names in official documents. "Officials are reluctant to rectify the errors even after the allottees submit supporting documents for the same and get these notified in the govt gazette," he added. Baljinder Singh Bittu from the Federation of Sectors Welfare Association Chandigarh, said, "Allottees of 3-4 marla plots in Sector 41 face delays in getting plans sanctioned by CHB. Even after running from pillar to post, little help comes from CHB officials. " Bittu also drew attention to frequent changes in rules by CHB. "A change in officers at the CHB's helm also leads to changes in the rules impacting the allottees," he added. The allottees cited the example of lifts in multi-storey complexes. Though it was granted long time ago, they said CHB is still not sanctioning changed building plans for the same. Source : Times of India INDIA

Ludhiana development body evicts illegal occupiers of three LIG flats in sector-40

3/3/2025 10:43:00 AM

Ludhiana: Glada officials Saturday evicted illegal occupiers of three low-income group flats on Chandigarh Road in Sector-40. The action was taken following a case pending in court. The officials said Glada had built 319 low- income group flats in Sector 40, of which 82 were occupied illegally. Out of the 82, fifty-eight flats were freed from illegal occupiers last Jan and 21 in August with the help of a duty magistrate and police. The illegal occupants of three other flats — 834, 847 and 848 — were left to be evicted. They had kept their belongings in these flats, and locked them from outside. Glada officials broke the locks with a cutter, opened the doors and threw out the belongings. A video of the entire exercise was also shot. The flats that were freed from illegal occupation have been sealed by the authorities. A notice has also been pasted on them, warning that if any attempt is made to break the seal and reoccupy these flats, legal action will be taken against the offenders. Source : Times of India INDIA

Punjab Extends Deadline for Plot Registration Without NOC Until August 31

3/3/2025 10:43:00 AM

Mohali: The Punjab government has extended the deadline for registering plots without a no- objection certificate (NOC) to Aug 31. This decision provided relief to plot holders, particularly those who had rushed to sub-tehsil offices in Mohali to meet the original Feb 28 deadline. Online slots for registration had been fully booked, indicating the high demand for this service, due to which the state government took a last-minute decision to push back the deadline. The extension order states that all provisions from the previous notification will remain applicable. As per the original scheme, plots up to 500 square yards can be registered without an NOC. This move aims to simplify the registration process and provide a one-time relief to property owners in unauthorised colonies. Deputy commissioner Komal Mittal said, "There is no need to panic and create a rush at tehsil offices. We request applicants to make the most of the extended deadline, as registrations can now be made until Aug 31." Due to the lack of prior announcement, applicants thronged various tehsil offices, leading to long queues and delays in processing documents on Friday. This situation was observed at the tehsil office in Mohali and nearby areas like Kharar, Zirakpur, and Derabassi. Court quashes extra charges imposed by Gmada in plot allotment The Punjab and Haryana high court ruled in favour of petitioners, transferees of plots, in a case over preferential location charge (PLC) imposed by Gmada. Appearing for petitioners, advocate SS Rangi contended that PLC charges demanded by respondents were illegal. Former president of Mohali Property Consultants Association, Shalinder Anand, while welcoming the decision, said, "Good decision by the high court." The court found that these charges violated the original contractual terms and were arbitrarily introduced. Gmada was ordered to refund any amount paid by the petitioners, along with 6% annual interest, within two months. The authority was also directed to deliver encumbrance-free possession of the plots and execute the necessary deeds of conveyance within two weeks. Source : Times of India INDIA

Delhi Civic Body Dismisses Property tax Exemption Claims, Urges Prompt Payments

3/1/2025 10:54:00 AM

In what has been labelled as a “big gift” to homeowners in Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday announced a waiver of pending dues by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) if residents clear their house tax for the fiscal year 2024-25. The announcement was made at a press conference on Monday by MCD Mayor Mahesh Khichi, Deputy Mayor Ravinder Bhardwaj, Leader of the House Mukesh Goel, and senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh. Khichi said the AAP has always delivered on its promises and the latest decision is a major step towards easing financial burdens on homeowners. “For years, 1,300 housing apartments in Delhi received no relief. Now, they will finally get a 25% house tax waiver… Pay your house tax on time and enjoy big benefits —100% waiver for houses up to 100 sq. yards and residential shops, and 50% waiver for houses between 100-500 sq. yards in 2025-26,” Sanjay Singh said while addressing media. The motive behind the decision is to eliminate corruption in house tax collection, said MCD-incharge and former Rajender Nagar MLA Durgesh Pathak. “We will pass this proposal in MCD House on February 25 (Tuesday),” Pathak added Responding to the party’s announcement, Leader of Opposition in the MCD Raja Iqbal Singh said that the party’s leadership is trying to mislead the people with hollow promises because they know that their mayor could be removed anytime soon and that they have lost their majority in the MCD. As the defection law does not apply to the MCD, due to the constant poaching of councillors from both the AAP and the BJP, the former has lost its majority in the civic body. The civic body still has an AAP mayor presiding over it even as its strength has come down to 114 councillors against BJP’s 116. “This is just a deception because before making any such announcement, prior approval from the Delhi Finance Commission, the Municipal Valuation Committee, and the Standing Committee is required — which are currently not even constituted,” said Singh. Source : Times of India INDIA

Haryana Plot Holders Can Apply For Enhancement Issue Resolution Until May 14

3/1/2025 10:53:00 AM

Chandigarh: To address the ongoing issue of repeated enhancement charges faced by plot holders who received plots from the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), formerly known as the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), the state govt has unveiled an opportunity under the Vivad Se Samadhan Yojana 2024. This initiative allows plot holders to apply for the resolution of enhancement issues until May 14. A govt spokesperson said the state govt has once again given a golden opportunity to the plot holders to pay a lower amount under the Vivad Se Samadhan Yojana 2024. Under this scheme, plot holders can settle their outstanding enhancement amount at a concessional rate, eliminating any legal complication. Providing detailed information, he said the scheme is available to all allottees and plot holders with residential plots, floorwise registration, group housing societies, as well as institutional and industrial plots falling under various categories. He informed that this scheme encompasses 140 sectors and provides a discount of over Rs 550 crore for over 5,000 applicants. A total of 223 allottees have already availed the benefit of the scheme, he added. He called upon the plot holders to resolve their enhancement issues timely, by applying at ‘https://vsss.hsvphry.org.in' until May 14. Source : Times of India INDIA

ED conducts searches against real estate companies in Delhi-NCR

2/28/2025 10:44:00 AM

New Delhi, Feb 27 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate on February 27 searched multiple premises of two real estate companies and their promoters in Delhi-NCR as part of a money laundering investigation linked to alleged fraud with homebuyers, officials said. The action is being taken against WTC Builder, its promoter Ashish Bhalla and the Bhutani Group, among others, they said. The Gurugram office of the ED raided about a dozen locations in Delhi, Noida (Uttar Pradesh), and Faridabad and Gurugram (Haryana) under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). While WTC Builder could not be contacted immediately, a response from the Bhutani Group was awaited at the time of filing this story. The money laundering probe stems from FIRs filed by Faridabad police and Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing against WTC Builder, Bhalla and the Bhutani Group, the officials said. The WTC group has multiple projects in Faridabad, Noida and some other locations. It is alleged that the group has collected more than ₹1,000 crore from investors but has not delivered projects to them for the last 10-12 years, the officials said. Source : Times of India INDIA

Chintels Paradiso RWA wants company to pay rent for families that vacated flats in Gurugram

2/28/2025 10:43:00 AM

Gurgaon: Homeowners of Chintels Paradiso in Sector 109 have sought urgent intervention of the district town planner (enforcement) to ensure execution of rent payment orders issued by the district administration. In a letter to town planner (enforcement) Amit Madholia, RWA members said the developer has failed to comply with official directives mandating rent payments to displaced residents. President of the association Rakesh Hooda said, "The residents, who vacated their unsafe flats following govt orders, are struggling to manage temporary accommodations without the promised financial support from the builder." Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the developer said, "The welfare of our residents remains our top priority, as they are part of our extended family. In line with the Hon'ble Supreme Court's order, Chintels was directed to pay rent from the start of reconstruction. While construction will take a few more months to begin due to procedural requirements, we have already started rent payments on humanitarian grounds. We are fulfilling our rental commitments to over 140 eligible residents and have settled buyback agreements with around 160 homeowners. Claims from individuals not receiving rent are from those without formal agreements or those with ongoing court cases." Earlier, the district administration had issued directions to compensate homeowners of six towers (D, E, F, G, H and J) of the first phase and three towers (A, B, and C) of the second phase. A total of 41 homeowners — 25 from first phase towers and 16 from second phase towers — have formally chosen Option II (reconstruction) of the compensation plan and submitted requests for rent payments. These appeals were emailed to the builder, with copies marked to the district town planner, deputy commissioner and additional deputy commissioner. However, residents claim the builder has not responded or initiated the payments, pushing them into financial distress. In the letter, RWA urged the district town planner to intervene and ensure compliance. Their demands include authorities to engage with the builder to enforce the directive, all pending payments, including arrears, to be cleared by March 7, 2025 and action if rent payments are not made by the deadline. In Sept 2024, the district administration committee had decided that 130 homeowners of five unsafe towers — D, E, F, G, H — will get rent compensation at Rs 15/sqft per month from Jan 2025. This support will continue until the reconstruction of the flats is completed. In Feb 2022, a section of Tower D collapsed, killing two people. A structural audit by IIT Delhi later deemed these towers unsafe, leading to their evacuation by the district administration. Source : Times of India INDIA

Mohali: Sohana building collapse inquiry report indicts building owners, contractor

2/27/2025 11:27:00 AM

Mohali: The inquiry report regarding the Sohana building collapse, which resulted in two fatalities, has found the building owners and contractor culpable due to their negligence. The findings establish equal liability and guilt for both parties concerning abetment and collusion. The two proprietors, Gagandeep Singh and Parminder Singh, residents of Chao Majra village in Mohali district, were initially arrested but subsequently released on bail. Mohali SDM Damandeep Kaur conducted the investigation and submitted her findings to the Mohali deputy commissioner after 65 days of the incident for subsequent action. The investigation revealed that based on all available evidence and documentation, the building's collapse occurred due to the negligent actions of both the contractor and owners. The report highlighted that excavation at the construction site had extended below the existing building's foundation, triggering its collapse. Expert analysis indicated that excavations deeper and closer to adjacent structures increase collapse risks due to soil settlement or uneven soil pressure, disrupting structural equilibrium. The findings additionally emphasise that when owner involvement is established or suspected, anyone who assisted in furthering the act bears equal responsibility for abetment and collusion. The contractor's role warrants attention, as excavation commenced without proper precautionary measures due to insufficient expertise. The magistrate concluded that the incident resulted in two casualties and property damage, causing significant public distress. The co-owners bear direct responsibility, with the contractor sharing equal culpability. The report indicates that all relevant government directives were circumvented through deliberate misconduct and malicious intent. The findings have been forwarded for appropriate governmental action. On Dec 22, 2024, a five-storey building collapsed in Sohana village of Mohali, claiming two lives. Drishti, a 29-year-old bride-to-be from Theog near Shimla, awaiting her March 2025 wedding, tragically lost her life in the incident. Abhishek Dhanwal, aged 28, from Ambala, was extracted from the rubble but was pronounced dead upon arrival at hospital. The 23-hour rescue operation involved approximately 140 NDRF personnel, 167 members from the Army's 57 Engineers Regiment, over 300 local police officers, and additional allied department staff. BOX Owners booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder Building owners were booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder in the building collapse incident. Mohali police booked the building owners, Parwinder Singh and Gagandeep Singh under Section 105 of BNS at Sohana police station. They were released on bail later. The presumed cause of the collapse was the excavation of the basement in the adjoining plot and the accumulation of water leaked during digging, which compromised the foundation of the five-storey building (including the basement). BOX DC warned MC, Gmada of legal action The Mohali deputy commissioner had warned MC and GMADA officials of legal action if any tragedy like the Sohana building collapse occurs again. The DC had directed local officials to ensure that no more tragedies like the Sohana collapse happen. Every ongoing construction must comply with building bylaws. Violations should be checked, and stringent action should be ensured, the DC had said. Source : Times of India INDIA

Noida: Bhutani Infra fined Rs 5 lakh for illegal excavation

2/26/2025 12:07:00 PM

Noida: The district administration imposed a Rs 5 lakh fine on Bhutani Infra's Bhutani City Centre project in Sector 150 for basement excavation without the mining department's permission. Officials also seized an excavator from the project site. An FIR will be filed against the realtor if the excavation resumes, mining department officials said. District mining officer Utkarsh Tripathi said the department received an anonymous complaint regarding unauthorised digging work being carried out in Sector 150. On Monday, the department officials reached the Bhutani Infra project site in Sector 150, where an earthmover was being used to dig up a basement. However, the builder's representatives failed to provide any permission documents. "We verified with our department and checked our records to see whether any such permission was granted, and found that no such permission was given for the project," said Tripathi. As per UP govt rules, if any development project carries out any excavation beyond 2 metres, they have to obtain permission from the mining department. Tripathi said in this case, the excavation was well beyond 2 metres leading to the action. The department has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining in the district. Since Jan 1, it has seized 43 vehicles and four excavators from parts of Greater Noida including Jarcha, Ecotech, Rabupura and Dadri, collecting Rs 23 lakh in fines. "We have been consistently acting against illegal mining and unauthorised excavation across the district. This incident in Sector 150 is part of the same," Tripathi added. Despite multiple attempts to reach out, Bhutani Infra Developers Pvt Ltd did not respond to the queries. Source : Times of India INDIA

Chandigarh civic body hikes fire safety certificate fee by 10%

2/26/2025 12:06:00 PM

Chandigarh: Struggling with its finances, the municipal corporation (MC) has increased the fire safety certificate charges by nearly 10%. Under the National Building Code (NBC) 2016, new fee has been fixed for different types of buildings by the MC's Fire and Rescue Services. Buildings of different categories will have to pay a minimum fee of Rs 6,615. These rates come into effect from April 1, 2025. As per the order issued by the MC, buildings of different categories will have to pay fire safety certificate fee at different rates. In Group A category (residential building), lodging houses, hostels, hotels, etc, will have to pay a fee of Rs 6,615 or Rs 14 per square metre. For Group B category (educational institutions), from schools to higher educational institutions; Group C, hospitals, mental health centres; and all buildings under Group-D, a fee of Rs 6,615 or Rs 14 per square metre will be levied. Group E (commercial buildings), Group F (shops and markets), and Group G (industrial) units will have to pay a fee of Rs 6,615 or Rs 12 per square metre. Group H (warehouses) will be charged at the rate of Rs 6,615 or Rs 12 per square metre. Group J buildings, which store substances like petrol, gas, explosives, and rocket propellants, will be charged at the rate of Rs 6,615 or Rs 14 per square metre. In 2019, the corporation fixed the minimum fee at Rs 5,000 or Rs 10 per square metre (whichever is higher) for covered areas. It was revised in 2022 to Rs 6,000 or Rs 12 per square metre. The MC has exempted religious places from this fee. Residential buildings under Group A subdivision, which is A-2 (one or two family private dwellings) and subdivision A-4 (apartment houses) of Group 1 as per occupancies are exempted from fire safety certificate charges. Source : Times of India INDIA

Punjab Assembly Panel Suggests Raising Financial Aid Under PMAY-G

2/25/2025 10:33:00 AM

Chandigarh, Feb 24 (PTI) A Punjab Vidhan Sabha committee has recommended a hike in financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana, asserting that an amount of Rs 1.20 lakh was not enough for the construction of a house. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana, a financial assistance of Rs 1.20 lakh is given to eligible beneficiaries for the construction of a house by the Centre. The assistance is paid in three instalments. On the first day of the two-day Punjab Vidhan Sabha session which began here on Monday, a report of the Vidhan Sabha committee regarding the ongoing Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana in the state was tabled by AAP MLA Budh Ram, who was the chairman of the committee on Panchayati Raj Institutions. A total target of 63,985 houses has been allocated by the Centre to all Panchayats in Punjab, including beneficiaries of the PMAY-G. Among the recommendations, the committee in its report stated that it has come to its notice that the central government provides an amount of Rs 1,20,000 for the construction of a house but the committee feels that the amount is inadequate. “With such an amount, building a good house is very difficult. The raw materials required to build a house have also become very expensive these days,” the report said. It has also come to the attention of the committee that under another scheme launched by the central government — Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan, an amount of Rs 2 lakh is provided for the construction of a house. “Keeping such facts in mind, the committee strongly recommends that the state government should approach the central government to increase this amount so that the beneficiaries can build a good house,” said the report. The committee feels that elected representatives of the people, the MLAs, have a direct relationship with the villages and they know how many people in a village do not have their own houses, the report said. But the team which visits villages to identify beneficiaries under this scheme, the concerned MLAs are neither informed nor taken into consideration when a survey is conducted, according to the report. Therefore, the committee strongly recommends that the team which is to survey villages under this scheme should contact the MLA of the constituency that it visits so that the elected representative can be made a part of the survey, it said. The committee also stated that many villages in Punjab are not covered under this scheme due to which beneficiaries are deprived of benefits. Therefore, the committee strongly recommends that all villages should be covered in the survey, it said. Source : Times of India INDIA

Three Sports City Project in Noida Under CBI and ED Investigation

2/25/2025 10:32:00 AM

Noida: Calling them a "scam", the Allahabad high court has ordered a CBI and ED investigation into three of four Sports City projects and brought within the ambit of the inquiry their developers and consortium members for misappropriating homebuyers' money and Noida Authority officials for forming a "dirty nexus". A division bench of justices Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Prashant Kumar issued 10 separate judgments covering the three projects on Monday. The court examined various alleged violations — from land use irregularities to financial misconduct as well as the promised sports facilities remaining incomplete. "This court has no other recourse but to refer the investigation to CBI. CBI would also investigate the role of all the persons involved in this scam. We hope and trust that the investigation would be carried out and completed expeditiously," read the order pertaining to some of the cases. The bench observed that developers prioritised commercial development for profit while neglecting the mandated sports infrastructure on 70% of the project site, despite receiving substantial benefits from Noida Authority. The orders specifically addressed the Sports City project in sectors 78, 79, and 101 (where Xanadu Estate was the lead developer) and two others in Sector 150 (developed by Logix Infra Developers and Lotus Greens Constructions). The Xanadu and Logix projects are currently under insolvency proceedings, which the court criticised as a deliberate strategy to avoid obligations. The 10 judgments came after hearings on pleas filed by some of the developers and consortium members, seeking handover of encumbrance-free land, waiving of lease rent and penalties, cancellation of demand notices, and proper execution of the Sports City development plan. The court dismissed their claims, pointing out that since they failed to develop sports infrastructure in keeping with the original plan, insolvency could not be used as a shield to escape liabilities. The court strongly criticised the "dirty nexus" between builders and Noida Authority officials, noting that "benefits after benefit were doled out to the builders, completely contrary to the scheme, MOA and the implementation of the Sports City scheme". A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit had in 2021 revealed major financial irregularities in Sports City allotments, resulting in a Rs 9,000-crore loss to Noida Authority and the state govt. The audit highlighted underpriced land, unauthorised ownership transfers, unpaid lease premiums, and improper issuance of occupancy certificates by Noida Authority despite sports facilities nowhere near completion. The court observed that even after the CAG report was tabled, neither Noida Authority nor UP govt registered any FIR against officials concerned or recovered dues from builders. The only step Noida took was to send notices to the developers demanding payment of dues, which remained unaddressed. The judges expressed particular concern that the inaction continued despite multiple leadership changes. "In the last so many years in Noida Authority, a number of officers would have come and gone, and surprisingly no one blew a whistle to the scam, or took any action against them," the bench observed in a case filed by Lotus Green. The "nexus" was mentioned in another judgment passed by the court in a case related to Esthetic Buildtech, one of the consortium members of the project helmed by Logix. "Since very senior officers of Noida Authority, state, and other influential persons seem to be involved and because of them no inquiry has yet been conducted for this reason, the court does not inspire any confidence in referring the matter for investigation to any of the state agencies. Hence, this is a fit case where the inquiry should be instituted by the Central Bureau of Investigation," one of the orders read. In one notable case involving Three C Green Developers, the court identified promoters Nirmal Singh, Surpreet Singh Suri, and Vidur Bhardwaj as operating through a web of companies to circumvent regulations. The court found that they transferred shares to third parties without proper authorisation and used insolvency proceedings as a "strategic manoeuvre" to evade responsibilities. The court asked Noida Authority to issue notices to all stakeholders, demanding payment of outstanding dues, including interest and penalties. Failure to comply will result in automatic cancellation of allotments, it added. To protect homebuyers' interests, the bench ordered that their investments be safeguarded through forfeited deposits and additional support from Noida Authority if necessary. "In case the allotments are cancelled, Noida Authority can call for fresh bids as per the current market rate, which will certainly be far much higher than the allotted rate…. However, since this court is also conscious that the interest of homebuyers has to be protected, if the petitioners are not able to complete the project strictly as per the brochure condition of the Sports City scheme and the lease deed conditions, the money deposited by them be forfeited and used for paying back the homebuyers. If there is any shortfall, Noida Authority will pay the same," read an order in the Lotus Greens case. Source : Time of India INDIA

Noida Authority Set to E-Auction Industrial Plots Under Revised Policy Soon

2/24/2025 10:09:00 AM

Chandigarh: The economic offences wing (EOW) of UT police registered two separate FIRs against a real estate company for duping people of around Rs 2 crore on the pretext of investing in their project. No arrest has been made in the case so far. The complainants, Vikrant Gupta, Raghawendra, Manju Rani, and Pankaj Arora, alleged that the builder cheated them of Rs 1.1 crore on the pretext of making an investment in a project. The complainants made a complaint at SSP public window in Nov 2024, and the complaint was forwarded to EOW for investigation. After verifying the facts, EOW registered a case under the relevant sections of BNS and started a probe. EOW registered one more cheating case against the group. The complainant, Pinki Rani, alleged she invested Rs 69 lakh for office space in the project, but it never materialised. Inspector Shiv Charan of EOW is investigating both the cases. Source : Times of India INDIA

Two FIRs For Fraud Filed Against Chandigarh-Based Builder

2/24/2025 10:08:00 AM

Noida: Noida Authority is set to introduce its first industrial plot scheme under a new policy designed to bolster the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector. The initial phase will feature 17 plots through an e-auction process, with their sizes varying from 200 to 7,500sqm. Spread across sectors 7, 8, 10, 62, 80, and 164, these plots will have a total area of around 60,000sqm. Authority officials confirmed that the scheme would be launched anytime soon as most administrative preparations were already complete. Authority officials are also actively scouting for additional vacant land in other sectors for future development phases, aiming to create more opportunities for small and medium business expansion in the city. This initiative follows a significant policy revision approved during a joint board meeting of the Noida and Greater Noida authorities last month. The policy change aligns with a state govt directive from Dec 26, 2024, which mandated a uniform allotment policy across Noida, Greater Noida, and Yamuna Expressway authority areas. The new framework stipulates that industrial plots up to 8,000sqm will be allocated through e-auction, with a clear focus on supporting genuine entrepreneurs rather than speculative investors. For plots exceeding 8,000sqm, the allocation process will involve interviews and specific evaluation criteria. Chief secretary and industrial development commissioner Manoj Kumar Singh has emphasised the necessity of maintaining transparency in the industrial plot allotment process. According to the e-auction's terms, potential allottees would have to make an initial deposit of 10% of the plot's reserve price to participate in the process. Successful bidders must then pay 30% of the total cost immediately, with the remaining amount payable in scheduled instalments. The e-auction system has, however, drawn criticism from some industry associations. They have expressed concern that small business owners might be disadvantaged, as the system could potentially favour property dealers and large investors with greater financial capabilities. These groups have proposed an alternative lottery system for plots larger than 2,000sqm to ensure fairer access for genuine MSME businesses. Despite these concerns, Authority officials said they were committed to implementing the govt's prescribed allotment policy. A comprehensive brochure detailing the terms, conditions, and eligibility criteria for participation in the e-auction will be released soon, providing potential investors with clear guidelines for the application process. Source : Times of India INDIA

SC Halts NCLAT Order Instructing NBCC to Complete Stalled Supertech Homes

2/22/2025 10:36:00 AM

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court stayed the appointment of state-owned NBCC as the project management consultant for completing 16 stalled housing projects of debt-ridden real estate firm Supertech Ltd, which are valued at approximately Rs 9,500 crore. A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan heard two appeals challenging the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) order and raised concerns over the fate of thousands of homebuyers. Issuing notices to the parties involved, the court temporarily stayed the NCLAT directive that had assigned NBCC the task of completing the Supertech projects. The bench stated it would review whether due procedure under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code was followed in appointing NBCC as the consultant. The NCLAT, in its December 12, 2024, ruling, had directed the NBCC, under the ministry of housing and urban affairs, to complete 16 projects across Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, and Karnataka, covering a total of 49,748 residential units. Nearly 27,000 homebuyers have been waiting for possession of their homes in these projects. The appellate tribunal’s decision followed an earlier Supreme Court order from October 1, 2014, which permitted it to evaluate an NBCC proposal for completing stalled housing developments. During the hearing, the Chief Justice instructed all stakeholders to submit written responses outlining alternative plans for completing the unfinished projects without involving NBCC. The bench also directed the resolution professional to continue functioning as per the law and scheduled the next hearing for the first week of April. Supertech welcomed wider solution Reacting to the court’s decision, Supertech chairman R K Arora expressed relief over the stay, and said, "We respect the decision of Supreme Court to stay the NCLAT order which allowed NBCC to take over Supertech's projects arbitrarily without respecting the interests of other stakeholders like land authorities and lenders. We welcome the Supreme Court's instructions of inviting other companies to propose a solution which takes care of all stakeholders along with homebuyers.” He further added that as promoters, they are looking for a solution for all stakeholders including homebuyers, bankers and land authorities. NBCC’s plan on hold As per the NCLAT directive, NBCC was expected to begin awarding contracts by March 31, 2025, with construction work to commence on May 1, 2025. The tribunal had also ordered the formation of an apex court committee and individual project committees for each stalled development, with NBCC nominating a member in each. NBCC had submitted a three-phase completion plan covering key residential projects, including Eco-Village-2, Capetown, Northeye, Upcountry, Meerut Sports City, and Micasa in Bengaluru. However, with the Supreme Court’s intervention, this plan now lies in uncertainty. Insolvency battle continues Supertech’s financial crisis led to insolvency proceedings initiated by the Union Bank of India in March 2021, with a claim of over Rs 431 crore. In May 2023, the Supreme Court allowed a “project-wise resolution” approach, permitting construction under the supervision of an interim resolution professional. With the Supreme Court now pushing for a broader resolution beyond NBCC, the fate of thousands of homebuyers remains in limbo until the next hearing in April. Source : Times of India INDIA

UttarPradesh Set Aside Rs 25000 Crore for Ubran Growth

2/22/2025 10:35:00 AM

Lucknow: The UP govt has made provisions to provide additional services and amenities across the key urban centres. Budgetary allocations have been made to establish convention centres, recreational centres, sports facilities besides strengthening urban infrastructure. Overall, about Rs 25,310 crore would be infused in various kinds of activities to support urban development. While 17 key cities being governed by municipal corporations would have better facilities, the state govt would set out on a programme to upgrade the municipal councils (nagar palikas) and town councils (nagar panchayats) on the lines of the central govt by providing money to make them smarter. Also, Rs 400 crore have been set aside for the smart city scheme. Urban development minister AK Sharma said, "With this budget, UP would get state-of-the-art building structures, international shooting range and better infrastructure in the cities. The govt is going to enhance the liveability of the cities." Principal secretary of the department, Amrit Abhijat said, "The budget marks a paradigm shift in the way importance of urban services is being perceived by the state govt. On the lines of smart city mission, the state govt would provide funds to upgrade the smaller cities and towns in the coming financial year." As reported by TOI, Rs 1,131 crore have been earmarked for developing a better and improved stormwater drainage system in 10 cities. Plus, Rs 4,100 crore have been provided under Amrut 2.0 scheme. The scheme to provide model roads would get more impetus with a provision of Rs 800 crore for 2025-26 financial year under CM GRIDS. Source : Times of India INDIA

Mohali Villagers Warn of Protests if Building Bylaws Notices are not Canceled

2/21/2025 11:19:00 AM

A delegation of residents from several villages of Mohali on Thursday submitted a memorandum to mayor Amarjit Singh Jeeti Sidhu and municipal corporation (MC) commissioner T Benith, warning of a massive protest if notices to houses that violate building bylaws are not revoked. The civic body has issued notices to residents of several villages, including Mohali, Sohana, Kumbra, Mator, Shahi Majra and Madanpur, under newly implemented building bylaws. Failure to comply could result in the demolition of illegal structures. This move has sparked strong opposition from village residents, demanding the cancellation of these notices. Led by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) senior leader from Mohali Parvinder Singh Sohana, the delegation urged the withdrawal of these notices. Additionally, similar memorandums were sent to chief minister Bhagwant Mann and the chief secretary. The delegation also requested the inclusion of a resolution in the upcoming MC meeting. The delegation said the villages have existed for centuries, and most houses were constructed before the villages were brought under the MC’s jurisdiction. However, the civic body did not formulate any specific building scheme under Section 275 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, making the issuance of these notices unlawful. Speaking on the issue, the SAD leader said urban building regulations should not be imposed on villages. Sohana demanded the immediate cancellation of these notices, calling them illegal. He urged the MC to develop a special building scheme under Section 275, which aligns with the ground realities of villages. He also stressed that urban regulations should not be applied to villages unless a proper scheme is in place. Source : Times of India INDIA

Haryana Sets Up Probe Panel for All Affordable Housing Project Allottees from One Area

2/20/2025 11:17:00 AM

Gurgaon: Haryana govt has formed a four- member committee to investigate the e-draw mechanism used for affordable housing allotments after it emerged that all 708 residential units at Sector 36 that were on offer went to residents in Sohna. The committee has now been directed to examine the portal and submit a report within 10 days. The allotments have been put on hold. The move comes after the draw conducted on Jan 27 was found to have allocated all flats exclusively to applicants from Sohna, violating Affordable Housing Policy 2013 guidelines. The panel will carry out a thorough examination of the e-draw system to determine if the lapses stemmed from a technical glitch or is an administrative error. It will also probe whether there was a deliberate bias in the allotment process. The committee comprises chief town planner (IT&M), senior town planner (E&V), senior town planner (Gurgaon) and project manager (IT HQ). The draw was conducted for an affordable housing project being developed by 4S Developers under licence number 235 of 2023. Though 51,586 people applied for 708 flats, allotments to beneficiaries exclusively from Sohna town raised eyebrows. According to clause 5(ii) of the policy, while Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) beneficiaries are prioritised, the policy doesn't specify any preference of a particular town for the draw. The senior town planner (Gurgaon) flagged this discrepancy, leading to an immediate review. The department of town and country planning (DTCP) On Feb 13 issued orders to cancel allotments and conduct a fresh draw following the policy guidelines. Also, the e-draw software is now under scrutiny to ensure its compliance with state-wide eligibility criteria. The dispute has raised questions about clarity and fairness in Haryana's affordable housing allocation process, with numerous applicants expressing doubts about transparency. Director of town and country planning Amit Khatri in his order said, "The draw conducted for affordable housing project in Sector 36, Sohna stands cancelled and instructions have already been issued to the senior town planner to get the fresh draw conducted. The matter needs to be enquired and test run of the software needs to be conducted to ensure its functioning in accordance with the policy norms" As the committee begins its probe, homebuyers and stakeholders eagerly await its findings, which will determine if the problem was a technical malfunction, human oversight or an intentional manipulation. Reshma, a resident of Delhi who applied for a flat in the Sohna project, said, "I applied for this project hoping for a fair chance, but now it seems like the system was rigged. How can all selected applicants be from Sohna when thousands from across Delhi-NCR have applied? The govt must ensure transparency in the fresh." Arvind Kumar, an applicant from the city, said, "Affordable housing is meant for everyone, not just people from a particular town. If the system is biased, what's the point of applying? The govt should take strict action and overhaul the e-draw mechanism to prevent such irregularities." Source : Times of India INDIA

Delhi : NDMC Sends 3,200 Notices to Property Tax Defaulters

2/19/2025 11:49:00 AM

New Delhi: The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) identified around 3,200 defaulters who did not pay property tax amounting to about Rs 200 crore in the last three years (post- Covid) and served them notices. This initiative is part of efforts to enhance property tax collection during the current financial year. NDMC aims to collect Rs 1,150 crore from property tax in 2024-25, compared to Rs 1,030 crore collected in 2023-24. "With data available for the past three years across all categories, we decided to assess property status and identify defaulters. It was found that at least 3,200 taxpayers have not paid their taxes for three consecutive years despite repeated notices. As a result, we have served them reminders and show-cause notices, urging them to pay their legitimate dues immediately, or face coercive action," said an NDMC official. Under NDMC regulations, a 30-day show cause notice is issued to defaulters, followed by additional reminders. If there is no response or payment within the 30-day period, the council may take action, such as property attachment, sealing, or account attachment. "We recently served show cause notices to about 380 taxpayers, offering them a 30-day period to make payments and avoid further action. These cases involved taxpayers who raised objections to the ex-parte property tax assessments made by NDMC over previous years. After reviewing their objections and rectifying the assessments, revised demands were raised. However, these 380 taxpayers still failed to make payments, prompting us to take action," the official added. "We can withdraw the revised assessment details and take other actions if they fail to reply or pay dues in 30 days," stated the official. NDMC oversees about 15,600 properties in its jurisdiction, including approximately 1,600 govt properties and around 14,000 private ones. Of these, 1,000 properties are exempt from taxation. As of mid-Feb 2024-25, Rs 735 crore has been collected from 9,600 taxable properties, with the tax submission deadline for the financial year set for Mar 31. Unlike the MCD, where taxpayers conduct self-assessments, NDMC's department calculates taxes based on property records and ground surveys. Taxpayers are invited to review the assessment list and raise objections either online or in person. If objections are raised, a revised assessment is carried out based on the facts submitted. To support taxpayers, NDMC is organising meetings with market associations, RWAs, and government agencies, and is sending property tax inspectors to residential areas for on-site collection. The council is also addressing outstanding payments, especially for government agencies where dues have been pending for an extended period. Source : Times of India INDIA

Gurugram Authorities Give 600 Buildings in DLF 3 Two Weeks to Rectify Extensions

2/19/2025 11:47:00 AM

Gurgaon: Owners of 600 properties in DLF-3 have till the first week of March to restore the buildings to their original structures, failing which action will be taken, the department of town and country planning (DTCP) has said in notices issued to them. Action could include revoking occupancy certificates and registry, sealing property and disconnecting water and sewer lines to the building. DTCP officials said on Tuesday that the owners of 600 properties were initially issued show-cause notices and could not give satisfactory responses on illegal construction or use of the residential buildings for commercial purposes. The next stage of enforcement is the restoration notices, which gives the owners one to two weeks to revert the buildings to their original form and shut down commercial activities. "Restoration orders have been issued to 600 buildings, and we will ensure compliance as per the high court's directions. Non- compliance will lead to strict legal action, including sealing and utility disconnections," said Amit Madholia, district town planner (enforcement). The department's crackdown began as the Punjab and Haryana high court heard a petition by a DLF resident about building code violations in the area. On HC's orders, 15,000 properties across DLF 1-5 were inspected by the department. Of these, norms were found to have been flouted at 4,200 properties. A significant chunk of the violations was spotted at properties allotted for economically weaker sections (EWS). In most of these cases, these 60-sq yard plots were illegally developed into multi-storied buildings, some reaching up to eight floors. These buildings were often used as paying-guest facilities or rented out to businesses, going against their purpose to provide affordable housing, On another 500 properties, the owners had illegally constructed rooms in stilt areas, covered backyards, enclosed ventilation cut- outs and expanded rooftops. Such illegal construction didn't just alter the area's planned structure, but also strained civic infrastructure, leading to parking chaos and sewage overflows apart from breaching safety norms. While some property owners object to DTCP's action, other residents support this crackdown. "This action was long due. Unchecked illegal construction has made this area unlivable. Roads are choked, parking is a nightmare and basic civic infrastructure is overburdened. We welcome this move by the authorities as it will restore some order and bring back the residential character of our neighborhood," said Rajiv Malhotra, a resident of DLF-3. Source : Times of India INDIA

New Income Tax Bill Tabled by Finance Minister

2/18/2025 4:03:00 PM

On February 13, 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Income Tax Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha, marking a significant overhaul of India's tax legislation. This new bill aims to replace the six-decade-old Income Tax Act of 1961, intending to simplify tax laws, reduce litigation, and make compliance more straightforward for taxpayers. Key Features of the Income Tax Bill, 2025 1. Simplified Language and Structure The new bill comprises 536 sections spread across 23 chapters and includes 16 schedules, condensed into 622 pages. This is a substantial reduction from the previous act, which had 298 sections and 14 schedules spanning over 800 pages. The simplification aims to make the tax laws more accessible and easier to understand for the general public. 2. Introduction of 'Tax Year' A notable change is the replacement of the terms 'previous year' and 'assessment year' with a unified 'tax year.' The tax year is defined as the 12-month period beginning on April 1 and ending on March 31. For newly established businesses or professions, the tax year will commence from the date of setup and conclude at the end of that financial year. This change aims to streamline tax reporting and reduce confusion among taxpayers. 3. Revised Tax Slabs and Rates The bill proposes new tax slabs under the revised tax regime, providing relief to middle- income taxpayers. The updated tax rates are as follows: Up to ₹4,00,000: No tax ₹4,00,001 to ₹8,00,000: 5% ₹8,00,001 to ₹12,00,000: 10% ₹12,00,001 to ₹16,00,000: 15% ₹16,00,001 to ₹20,00,000: 20% ₹20,00,001 to ₹24,00,000: 25% Above ₹24,00,000: 30% Additionally, individuals earning up to ₹12 lakh annually will be eligible for a full tax rebate, effectively exempting them from income tax. 4. Standard Deduction and Salary Deductions The standard deduction for salaried individuals has been retained at ₹50,000 under the old tax regime. Taxes paid by employees under Article 276(2) of the Constitution, pertaining to professional tax, will continue to be fully deductible. These provisions aim to provide consistent relief to salaried taxpayers. 5. Focus on Digital Assets The bill introduces stricter regulations for virtual digital assets (VDAs), including cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). VDAs are now explicitly included in the provisions for searches and can be considered part of undisclosed income, alongside traditional assets like money, bullion, and jewelry. This move aims to address tax evasion and bring digital assets under the tax net. 6. Empowerment of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) A significant shift from the existing law is the delegation of certain powers to the CBDT. Under the new bill, the CBDT is authorized to establish tax administration rules, implement compliance measures, and enforce digital tax monitoring systems without requiring frequent legislative amendments. This change is expected to reduce bureaucratic delays and enhance the efficiency of tax governance. 7. Enhanced Compliance and Penalty Provisions The bill emphasizes stricter compliance mechanisms, including faceless assessments and digital record-keeping. It introduces a more structured approach to penalties for non- compliance, aiming to deter tax evasion and encourage timely and accurate tax filings. Taxpayers are encouraged to maintain precise financial records to navigate the updated tax landscape effectively. 8. Clarity on Specific Tax Provisions The new legislation provides clearer guidelines on various tax matters, including: Depreciation and Deductions: Modifications in business expenditure rules to align with current economic practices. International Taxation: Refined rules concerning double taxation avoidance agreements and taxation of non-residents. Taxation of Startups and Special Economic Zones (SEZs): Structured tax incentives to promote entrepreneurship and investment in designated zones. Taxation of Digital Transactions and Cryptocurrencies: Expanded and clearer rules for the taxation of digital assets to ensure comprehensive coverage. These clarifications aim to reduce ambiguities and potential disputes, fostering a more transparent tax environment. Implications for Taxpayers The introduction of the Income Tax Bill, 2025, signifies a transformative shift in India's taxation framework. Taxpayers are advised to familiarize themselves with the new provisions to ensure compliance and optimize their tax planning strategies. The emphasis on digital compliance and the inclusion of virtual digital assets under the tax purview reflect the government's commitment to modernizing the tax system in line with evolving economic realities. As the bill progresses through the legislative process, it is expected to undergo further scrutiny and possible amendments. Taxpayers and stakeholders are encouraged to stay informed about these developments to adapt effectively to the forthcoming changes in the tax landscape. INDIA

Haryana RERA Levies Rs 50 Lakh Penalty on Birla Estates in Gurugram

2/18/2025 11:29:00 AM

Gurgaon: The Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Rera) in the state has imposed a hefty penalty of Rs 50 lakh on Birla Estates Pvt Ltd for promoting an unregistered housing project, violating key provisions of the Real Estate Act of 2016. The regulatory body found that Birla Estates had begun advertising its upcoming group housing project, Birla Akira, in sectors 31 and 32A before receiving official registration approval. Section 3 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, restricts developers from marketing projects without prior registration from the authority. H-Rera made it clear that Birla Estates would receive its registration certificate only after fulfilling three conditions — submitting remaining documentation, completing the online DPI process, and paying the Rs 50 lakh penalty. The authority's crackdown extended beyond Birla Estates, with three other developers each receiving Rs 25 lakh fines for failing to meet project timeline commitments under Section 4(2) (l)(C) of the RERA Act. In a separate action, H-RERA ordered that security deposits worth Rs 2.2 crore be seized from six developers for violating registration conditions. The affected companies include 1000 Trees Housing, Keystone World, JMK Holdings, TARC Ltd, Mapsko Builders, and Aviana Green Estates. The authority issued a stern warning to Birla Estates and other developers, emphasising that any future marketing of unregistered projects would face more severe legal consequences. "The promoter M/s Birla Estates Pvt Ltd is advised not to indulge in or allow any other entity to sell units in unregistered projects, failing which legal consequences shall follow," the order stated. Source : Times of India INDIA

Gurugram: Compensation Plan Prepared for Chintels Paradiso Flat Owners

2/18/2025 11:28:00 AM

Gurgaon: In a relief for homeowners of towers A, B, and C of Chintels Paradiso in Sector 109, a high-level meeting chaired by the deputy commissioner proposed two compensation options for them, upholding the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) report, that deemed the towers structurally unsafe. The homebuyers can opt for a full refund at the market rate with additional compensation. The prevailing market rates are: Rs 7,900 per square foot for Towers A and B, and Rs 7,500 per square foot for Tower C. Additional compensation includes a refund of the stamp duty paid, with 18% annual interest. An additional Rs 10 lakh will be paid as exemplary damages. The homeowners can also opt for the reconstruction of towers A, B, and C. Residents who choose this will be paid a fixed rent for alternate accommodation, the Supreme Court ordered on Jan 4 last year. The committee also reaffirmed that rent payments for displaced residents would continue as per the orders issued by the divisional commissioner on June 6, 2024. The meeting, convened after homeowners' representations, also considered the reply submitted by Chintels India Pvt. Ltd. The discussion centred around the structural integrity of the buildings and possible rehabilitation measures. An investigation by CBRI concluded that the structures were beyond repair, necessitating urgent action. The structural assessments of Paradiso's towers began after a vertical collapse of living rooms of flats across five floors in Tower D on Feb 10, 2022, led to the death of two residents, which was followed by days of protests on the compound, with residents accusing the developer of not reacting on time to concerns like sagging balconies that they had raised. Spokesperson for the developer said "Now that the value of flats is determined, we will offer to buyback at the rate determined by the govt. approved valuator." Source : Times of India INDIA

Over 200 Supertech employees finally get salary for December 2024

2/17/2025 10:59:00 AM

Noida: Supertech has disbursed Dec salaries to 237 employees, totalling over Rs 1 crore, following an order from the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) issued on Feb 10. The payment adheres to the plan prepared and submitted by interim resolution professional (IRP) Hitesh Goel in consultation with the Apex Court Committee (ACC), which oversaw the process. The plan also includes disbursing Jan 2025 salaries, contingent upon the HR head submitting verified attendance records along with the processed salary sheet. The IRP emphasised the importance of accurate and timely documentation to ensure the continuation of salary payments. On Feb 10, NCLAT had directed the IRP to disburse Dec salaries within seven days and begin processing Jan payments. A hearing regarding the non-payment of salaries from Sept to Nov 2024 is scheduled for Feb 18. The employees, who were without salaries since Sept, recently approached NCLAT seeking intervention to clear their dues. Many struggled with basic expenses such as house rent, loan repayments and school fees. Feb 4, employees gathered at Supertech's Sector 96 office and staged a protest. During the Feb 10 hearing, NCLAT took note of the prolonged salary delays and instructed Supertech's HR head, Arun Mathur, to cooperate in providing employee details and ensuring timely salary payments. Goel had informed the tribunal that instructions for the bank transfer of December salaries were already issued, and the process for clearing Jan payments was underway. The NCLAT order stated, "In view of the aforesaid, we direct the salary for the month of Dec to be released within one week from today, that is by Feb 17, and with regard to salary for Jan, as submitted by IRP, the processing may be done and as early as possible the salary for Jan may also be released." Supertech Ltd has been undergoing insolvency proceedings since 2022. In Dec 2024, NCLAT mandated state-backed NBCC to complete 16 of Supertech's unfinished projects. Source : Times of India INDIA

Noida: Over 1,400 SDS NRI Township buyers protest against builder's additional compensation demand

2/17/2025 10:58:00 AM

Noida: More than 1,400 homebuyers of SDS NRI Township in Sector 26A off Yamuna Expressway have initiated a protest against the developer's demand for 64.7% additional farmers' compensation at the rate of Rs 8,746 per sqm. This demand by SDS Infracon will translate into an unexpected financial burden of around Rs 8-10 lakh for each buyer, despite a majority of them still lacking legal possession of their plots in the 125-acre township after more than a decade. The controversy dates back to 2011, when the compensation for farmers who had parted with their land was initially set at Rs 1,770 per sqm. The amount, however, escalated significantly because of SDS Infracon's delayed payments, accumulating interest on mounting dues and penalties. On May 19, 2022, the Supreme Court favoured a demand by Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) for additional farmers' compensation. After the court verdict, the developer asked the buyers of plots to bear the additional cost, citing terms of the sub-lease deed. "The YEIDA since then is pressing for recovery of the said additional farmers' compensation, however, at an excessive rate and that too with penal interest. Our various letters/representations to YEIDA for corrective actions/reliefs are still being considered by YEIDA," the letter to buyers read. Of the 1,400 affected buyers, only 500 could register their plots between 2011 and 2015, when YEIDA issued temporary and conditional completion certificates. The remaining 900 are yet to get their land registered. But those with registered plots aren't any better either. They cannot begin construction because of severe infrastructure deficiencies, including the absence of basic amenities like electricity, water, and sewerage systems. Tarun Sharma, general secretary of the NRI Township Yamuna Plot Owners Association, expressed outrage at the compensation demand, saying their investment in the project had increased nearly four times. "This unreasonable demand shows the builder's complete disregard for buyers' hardships. On the other hand, they remain unaccountable for the project's incomplete infrastructure," he added. The situation has been further complicated by YEIDA's inconsistent policies regarding construction penalties. While fines were waived from 2017 to Dec 2022 because of lacking infrastructure, the authority unexpectedly enforced penalties for 2023. Though the waiver was reinstated in 2024, uncertainty remains about the 2025 policy. There are additional challenges regarding the township's expired layout plan, which has not been renewed since 2018. This has prevented even registered buyers from obtaining approvals of their construction maps. Source : Times of India INDIA

Ghaziabad Development Authority Plans Land Acquisition for Growth in Harnandipuram Villages

2/15/2025 11:34:00 AM

Ghaziabad: GDA has decided to chip the proposed Harnandipuram township by nearly 150 hectares. The township was proposed to come up on 521 hectares — almost the same size as Indirapuram — which would require the Authority to acquire land from 8 villages at an estimated Rs 5,000 crore. The costs were to be shared equally by GDA and UP govt under the CM Urban Expansion New City Promotion Scheme. GDA secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh informed a six-member panel, set up for supervising the land acquisition process under UP govt's direction, that for now, it has decided not to acquire land from three villages from it was to acquire over 150 hectares—Shahpur Morta (77.4 hectares), Bhowapur (68.9 hectares) and Morta (5.4 hectares). "The financial status of the GDA is not sufficient to acquire land from all eight villages in one go," Singh said. The official added about 127 hectares are to be acquired from farmers of Nagla Ferozepur, Mohanpur, Atour, Champat Nagar, Shamsher, Bhenda Khurd, Mathurapur and Shapur Morta. The rest—about 242 hectares— is either with the GDA already or is gram sabha land. DM Deepak Meena told TOI that at the meeting on Thursday, they also discussed the rates at which land will be acquired for the township. "The panel has decided that land acquisition rate will be determined on mutual consent between GDA and landowners as the process was less time consuming. In case there is no consensus, plots will be acquired under the Land Acquisition Act," he said. GDA has now been directed to start a land survey. "The development authority has some land parcels in its bank. With three villages out of the purview now, only 127 hectares need to be acquired," Meena added. The map of the new township, vetted at the GDA Board's meeting in Aug last year, showed that the township will span from Pipeline Road in the north of the city to Northern Peripheral Road in the east and Morti in the south. As per one estimate, Rs 10,000 crore will be needed to develop Harnandipuram, and nearly 50% will go into acquiring land. The six-member committee, comprising, the DM, ADM (finance and revenue), GDA vice chairperson, an official from the tehsil level, the stamp department and the GDA Secretary, was set up in keeping with a govt order, which mandates that a committee must be set up to decide on land rates if the cost of acquisition is more than Rs 10 crore. Source : Times of India INDIA

Punjab Government Announces Affordable Housing Project for Economically Weaker Sections on 1500 Acres

2/15/2025 11:33:00 AM

Chandigarh: To provide houses to the economically weaker sections (EWS), the Punjab cabinet gave nod to a policy for "optimum utilisation of land reserved for EWS". Under the scheme, scattered land pockets located in different housing colonies will be sold off and the money raised would be utilised to acquire 1,500-acre land in different cities of the state. The state development authorities will "generate reasonable revenue" through auction of the scattered land pockets. Separate chunks of land would then be used for to provide either plots or houses to the EWS. Finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, "The developers have to set aside 5% area for the EWS. But since 1995, not even a single plot has been given to any EWS during the Akali and Congress regimes. This section was neglected. Over 700 acres of scattered land in various housing colonies in cities lie undeveloped. We have identified that land and sell it in the open market. It is estimated to raise funds to buy 1,500 acres of land in the key cities of the state. It is a historic decision of the AAP govt." "The existing pockets cannot be developed properly, and it has been decided to buy and development alternate land for the EWS," he added. Utilisation of EDC The cabinet also approved a policy to utilise the external development charges (EDC) collected by various development authorities on behalf of the govt from promoters who develop their projects under Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation (PAPRA) Act, 1995. As per this policy 50% of the EDC collected from promoters will be utilised for development of infrastructure within the periphery of the colony or township whereas the remaining 50% will be utilized by the government for development of major projects in the state. Relief to acid attack victims enhanced The cabinet decided to rename the scheme for financial assistance to acid victims as ‘The Punjab Financial Assistance to Acid Victims Scheme, 2024' by including the males and transgenders victim in the scheme besides increasing the financial assistance of Rs 8,000 per month being given to the victim to 10,000 per month Earlier, only female acid attack victims were covered and provided with a financial assistance of Rs 8,000 per month. Amnesty for defaulting land allottees The cabinet approved an amnesty policy for the defaulted allottees who were not able to deposit the money against the plots allotted to them by Puda and other development authorities. As per this scheme, the defaulters can deposit their dues in lump sum along with scheme interest without any penalty. 6 spl courts for NRIs The cabinet approved setting up special fast track NRI courts in six districts in Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Moga and Ludhiana. This will ensure smooth dispensation of justice to the NRI brethren, giving a big relief to them. Bathinda thermal plant land It was decided that the 253 acres of land of the thermal power plant Bathinda will be "optimally utilise" by the Bathinda Development Authority for residential and commercial sites, water treatment plant, bus stand, hospital and schools. Besides, 1,235 acres will be returned to the PSPCL. Apart from this, the administrative control of three lakes falling in 173-acre land of thermal plant will remain with the Bathinda Development Authority and the ownership rights will remain with the PSPCL. This area will be developed by the authority concerned as a tourist spot which will make the city as a tourist hub and the profit from this will be divided. e-auction policy for housing The cabinet gave approval for amending e-auction policy of the housing and urban development department. On the basis of feedback received after e-auction conducted in Sept-Oct, 2024, and after examining e-auction policies of other development authorities like Noida, Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority, and Jaipur Development Authority, changes have been made in the policy to generate revenue. The eligibility fees for all types of properties except chunk sites has been increased and a formula for the reduction in the reserve price of unsold properties after two consecutive auctions has been devised. If a site is not sold in two consecutive auctions, the reserve price will be reduced by 7.5% at the level of chief administrator of the authority. If the same site is not sold in the next two consecutive auctions, reserve price shall be reduced by 7.50% of the originally fixed reserve price for the first auction. Rental housing accommodation policy amended The cabinet approved changes in Rental Housing Accommodation Policy 2018 thereby making it more rational. The amendment stipulates that rental housing accommodation projects would also be permissible in institutional zones of Master Plans (except Master Plan of Mohali) and New Chandigarh. Further the accommodations will be allowed construction to house 1000 students instead of the existing limit in 500 over one acre of land. Pilot project for 200 solar pumps To promote renewable sources of energy for agriculture purposes, the Cabinet also gave go ahead for launching a pilot project to install 200 solar pumps for agriculture purposes and 90% funding for this project will be done by the Punjab govt. Bio methanation plant for Buddha Nullah To check the pollution caused due to cow dung in the Buddha Nullah of Ludhiana, the cabinet also gave nod for setting up an "ultra-modern" bio methanation plant in the industrial city. The plant will be spread over 2.5-acre land and will have a capacity of 300 tonne daily. Extension of Papra licensed projects The cabinet accorded approval to allow extension of time period for Papra licensed projects for two years up to Dec 31, 2025, at an extension fee of Rs 25,000 per acre per year. Similarly, extension of one year up to Dec 31, 2025, for mega projects at an extension fee of Rs 25,000 per acre. Subsidy for paddy straw-based boilers For paddy straw management, the cabinet gave consent to give Rs 1 crore capital subsidy on setting up of new paddy straw-based boilers and Rs 50 lakh for upgrading the existing plant. Sub-divisions of villages changed The cabinet gave consent to include Mahru, Tiwana and Tasalpur village in Ghanaur sub-tehsil, Rajpura tehsil, Patiala district, from Dudhan Saadhan sub-division, Patiala. Likewise, it was also decided to include Namol village in Sunam Udham Singh Wala sub-division, Sangrur, from Cheema sub-division. UGC scales for sports univ The cabinet gave a green signal to provide UGC scales to the teaching faculty in the Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University, Patiala. BOX Stamp duty was not on agenda: Cheema Replying to a question about the proposal to impose stamp duty for the transfer of property among blood relations, finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the issue was only being reported in a section of the media but was not on the agenda for the cabinet meeting. There were reports that the AAP govt was keen on bringing back stamp duty on the transfer of land among relatives, which was earlier withdrawn in 2014 by the Akali govt. The plan was to impose a 1% stamp duty on direct transfers from parents to children and grandparents to grandchildren, while all other transfers, including those between brothers, sisters, and spouses, were to invite a stamp duty of 2.5%. Source : Times of India INDIA

NGT Highlights Issues in Greater Mohali Development , Calls For Action

2/14/2025 11:32:00 AM

The National Green Tribunal has come down heavily on the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority over blatant environmental violations at its Purab Premium Apartments project in Sector 88. On Wednesday, the green court directed GMADA’s chief administrator (CA) Moneesh Kumar to conduct an inquiry to find officers responsible for these violations, demanding action within three months and an action-taken report before its registrar general. The tribunal warned that failure to comply would lead to further scrutiny. “We are hopeful that the GMADA chief administrator will do the needful as directed so that the tribunal may not be compelled to presume otherwise,” the National Green Tribunal (NGT) bench, headed by chairperson justice Prakash Shrivastava, said. Moreover, over two years after the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) in September 2022 imposed a compensation of ₹1.02 crore on GMADA for environmental violations at the project, the tribunal asked the board to impose further penalty on the authority. While GMADA had paid the penalty then for violations between August 31, 2022, and March 31, 2023, NGT found that violations were committed even before and after this period. The tribunal’s action came following a petition by the Purab Premium Apartments Allottees Association and resident SK Loona, accusing GMADA of violating essential Environmental Clearance (EC) conditions, including non-installation of a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). The project had got EC for construction of 6,360 flats in an area of 117.118 acres — 1,080 of Type 1; 2,520 of Type 2 and 2,760 of Type 3. But, the petitioner submitted, only 1,620 flats in 37 acres had been constructed and residents were deprived of fresh drinking water. The petition also highlighted non-compliance of safety protocols, such as securing a fire safety certificate. It was further alleged that the applicants were compelled to take possession of uninhabitable apartments based on an allotment letter and offer of possession containing the condition to take possession within 30 days or the allottee shall not be entitled to take benefit of any rebate or refund on any ground whatsoever. ‘GMADA not above law’ Raising concerns over GMADA’s casual approach to legal compliance and notices, the tribunal observed, “It is apparent that there are gross violations of compliance of EC conditions by GMADA, which is a statutory authority. It has acted in clear contravention of the law and conditions of EC, and has proceeded with the project even without obtaining the Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate, which are statutory requirements.” “GMADA is bound by law and cannot treat itself above the provisions of law,” it further remarked. Notably, in light of the green violations, PPCB in July 2024 had restricted GMADA from continuing construction or selling flats at Purab Premium Apartments until the violations were rectified. ENVIRONMENTAL NORMS THROWN TO WIND An NGT-appointed three-member joint committee had highlighted the following violations following a visit to the project site in November 2023: GMADA did not install a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and is discharging the entire untreated domestic sewage into sewer leading to STP, Mohali Fresh water being used for toilet flushing and plantation/horticulture purposes instead of treated sewage water No record regarding maintenance of rainwater harvesting pits Despite the site being a bulk waste generator, no arrangements made for management of biodegradable solid waste Construction waste and mixed solid waste dumped in the basement Solar energy not utilised for illumination of common areas Drinking water supply line and fresh water supply line for horticulture and flushing not colour-coded Consent to establish and consent to operate not obtained Environment Management Cell not established Environmental Clearance not renewed after expiry in February 2020. Source : Hindustan Times INDIA

Allahabad HC Safeguards 81 Apartments Owners From Demolition in Lucknow

2/14/2025 11:31:00 AM

Lucknow: The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court has granted major relief to several flat owners of 81 apartments whose residents were slapped notice by LDA for vacating the apartments so that the said apartments could be demolished in pursuance to demolition orders issued to their builders about 19 to 20 years ago. In-fact, on suggestion of LDA itself, the bench has permitted the flat owners to apply to the LDA for compounding their flats by depositing the requisite penalty. The bench has , however, clarified that it would fix the accountability of the LDA officials who had failed to execute the demolition orders issued to builders 19 years ago. The bench was of the view that for the fault of the builders, the flat owners, who had purchased the flats from their hard earned money and were not aware of notices to builders should not suffer. A bench of Justice Rajan Roy and Justice OP Shukla passed the order on a writ petition filed by some flat owners of Royal Green Apartment situated in Mahanagar. The bench has stayed demolition of the apartment . Earlier, LDA counsel Ratnesh Chandra informed the bench that LDA had proceeded to demolish the said apartments owing to an order passed by a co-ordinate bench in a 2012 PIL. Source : Times of India INDIA

Gurugram Authorities Take Steps to Ensure Compliance with Building Codes

2/13/2025 11:37:00 AM

Gurgaon: The district town planner (enforcement) has issued a show-cause notice to Ansal Properties & Infrastructure Ltd and the NRI Group Housing, Celebrity Homes, Palam Vihar, over unauthorised commercial activities and illegal alterations in the residential complex. The notice, issued under Section 10(2) of the Haryana Development and Regulations of Urban Areas Act, 1975, highlights violations of approved building plans and warns of legal action if corrective measures are not taken immediately. A complaint on potential encroachments prompted a site inspection by town planning officials. The inspection confirmed the existence of unauthorised commercial setups, including a gym, fresh mart and play area, along with structural modifications in the stilt area, which is legally designated only for parking purposes. These alterations were found to be in violation of Section 3B of the Haryana Development Act, which mandates that all construction within a licensed colony must adhere strictly to approved plans. The stilt area modifications and commercial use of residential property violate licensing norms for Palam Vihar, a project developed by Ansal Properties & Infrastructure Ltd. Authorities have warned that if the violations are not rectified immediately, strict legal action will be initiated. The notice directs the developers and resident welfare association of Celebrity Homes to remove the illegal constructions and restore the building in accordance with the approved layout. "Submit authenticated copies of the approved building plan and relevant permissions. Appear before town planning officials at Huda Complex, Sector 14, Gurgaon, on Feb 25, 2025, at 11.00am to justify their actions," the notice stated. Many residents have welcomed the crackdown, citing growing concerns over unauthorised commercial activities within the residential complex. "We bought homes here expecting a peaceful residential environment, but unauthorised shops and commercial activities have disrupted our daily lives. Parking space has been reduced due to these illegal modifications," Amit Sharma, a resident of Palam Vihar, said. Source : Times of India INDIA