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16-August-2019

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CREDAI Bengal Daily News Update | 16.08.19

Madras HC stays construction of 4,500 houses in Vellingiri

A division bench of Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad passed the interim

order on a PIL moved by Vellingiri Hill Tribal Protection Society.

The Madras high court on Wednesday stayed construction of 4,500 houses by the Tamil Nadu Slum

Clearance Board (TNSCB) in the foothills of Vellingiri Hills in Coimbatore and thereby altering the

natural landscape of the area, which is an elephant corridor.

A division bench of Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad passed the interim order

on a PIL moved by Vellingiri Hill Tribal Protection Society.

“In the absence of clearance from the Coimbatore Local Planning Authority for reclassification of

land and also permission from Hill Area Conservation Authority (HACA) in respect of land in

Alandurai and Thenkarai areas, we are of the view that whatever has been done in the areas should not

be allowed to proceed, except without permission of the competent authorities,” the bench said.

When the PIL came up for hearing, Coimbatore district forest officer D Venkatesh submitted that

man-animal conflict is prevalent in the district forest division and the reasons for the same includes

increasing number of buildings, industrial and agricultural activities close to forest.

“This has resulted in reduction of sub-soil moisture drying up springs and streams inside the forest

forcing elephants and other wild animals to come out of forest in search of water. Any activity close to

the forest will have some effect on wildlife which are using that terrain,” the officer said.

He further pointed out that the forest department has issued no objection certificate to the project with

conditions including construction of elephant proof trenches along the extreme boundary of residential

blocks, instillation of instruments to know movement of wildlife, and no barriers to block free

movement of wild migratory animals.

Petitioner’s advocate M Purushothaman pointed out that the board has commenced the project even

without obtaining proper clearance for reclassification of the lands. Recording the submissions, the

bench passed the interim order and adjourned the plea.

__________________________________________________________________

Newspaper/Online ET Realty (online)

Date August 15, 2019

Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/madras-hc-stays-construction-of-4500-houses-in-vellingiri/70685894

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Home owners in Lucknow did not pay house tax worth Rs 3.5 crore

over four years

The Geographic Information Service (GIS) survey conducted by a private agency covered

20,000 houses in the first phase. Of these, 1,000 houses were found to be paying house tax less

than their floor area since 2014.

After Gomtinagar and Gomtinagar Extension, hundreds of houses in localities like Indiranagar,

Mahanagar and Vikasnagar in zone 7 of Lucknow Municipal Corporationhave been found to be

paying undervalued house tax for the past four years. This has resulted in a loss of Rs 3.5 crore to the

civic body for the duration.

There are a total of 35,000 houses in zone 7. The Geographic Information Service (GIS) survey

conducted by a private agency covered 20,000 houses in the first phase. Of these, 1,000 houses were

found to be paying house tax less than their floor area since 2014. The rest of the houses in the zone

will be surveyed this month.

Municipal commissioner Indramani Tripathi said, “House tax is based on self-assessment of floor

area. The owners misinformed us about the actual floor area of the house, which automatically

reduced the tax.”

A similar survey in zone 4, which includes Gomtinagar and Gomtinagar Extension, had found that of

a total 40,000 households, nearly 7,000 were paying less house tax, resulting in a loss of Rs 15 crore

since 2014. TOI had reported this on August 1. LMC is conducting a GIS survey across all eight

zones in the city to get an estimate of the number of households and property tax paid by them.

“After finding a huge difference between the estimated amount and the actual house tax amount

collected in zone 4, we decided to conduct a survey. After surveying just two zones, a lot of

irregularities came to the fore. We will continue the survey in the remaining six zones as well,”

Tripathi added.

After covering the entire city, data base of all households will be maintained at the newly constructed

Smart City Command Centre for assessment and tax collection in future.

____________________________________________________________________



Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/home-owners-in-lucknow-did-not-pay-house-tax-worth-rs-3-5-crore-over-four-years/70685800

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Shahberi homebuyers protest outside Greater Noida authority's office

The buyers had gathered outside the GNIDA's office to protest a proposed government move of

razing down illegal houses in Shahberi.

Six people, including a minor, got injured allegedly in "police action" on Wednesday during a protest

of flat buyers from Shahberi village outside the office of Greater Noida Industrial Development

Authority (GNIDA).

The buyers had gathered outside the GNIDA's office to protest a proposed government move of razing

down illegal houses in Shahberi.

The police, however, said it was prompted to "use force" to prevent lock down of a government office

and further ruckus.

"Six people, including an eight-year-old, got injured," a protesting flat buyer said, alleging the police

baton-charged on a "peaceful demonstration".

"There was no lathi-charge but yes mild force was used to remove the protestors. It was done to

prevent their misdemeanour of locking down the Greater Noida Authority office," Senior

Superintendent of Police, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Vaibhav Krishna said.

"The protestors were removed using force to prevent further ruckus and ensure working of the Greater

Noida Authority. Some of them might have got hurt in the action, if at all any one was injured," he

added.

In July last year, two adjoining buildings in Shahberi village, which falls in the notified area of

GNIDA, had collapsed killing nine people. The incident had brought to light

several residential structures which has cropped up in the area illegally and with poor safety features.

Recently, the Uttar Pradesh government announced strict action and legal proceedings against builders

selling properties in the area illegally. It has also called for a safety audit of multi-storey structures in

the area and razing down of those which don't fall in safety parameters, evoking strong response from

a section of flat buyers who feared their houses could be razed.

____________________________________________________________________



Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/residential/shahberi-homebuyers-protest-outside-greater-noida-authoritys-office/70685598

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Nineteen years-on, Odisha housing board yet to register Chandrama

flats

The occupants alleged that the state housing board, which executed the project in a public-

private partnership mode, had not registered the properties because of 'vested interest'.

The occupants of Chandrama Housing Complex in Kharvel Nagar have claimed that the Odisha State

Housing Board (OSHB) was allegedly delaying the registration of the properties in their name despite

having given them possession of the flats 19 years ago.

The occupants alleged that the state housing board, which executed the project in a public-private

partnership mode, had not registered the properties because of 'vested interest'. They claimed that the

delay in registering the properties had hit as many as 246 occupants of the housing complex who had

invested in the project.

"The housing board began the project in 1998. After its completion in the 2000s, it started selling the

units to the buyers. This was completed by 2003," said K C Panigrahy, an occupant of a flat in the

housing complex.

The state housing board executed the project over three acres of land, building 246 flats of different

kinds in three blocks. As part of the agreement, both the stakeholders - the housing board and the

private partner - sold their share of the property to home-buyers.

Panigrahy said there were some disputes between the housing board and the private party because of

which the registration was getting delayed.

"We have approached the chief minister's grievance cell and the housing and urban development

department but no action has been taken yet," he said.

Sources said the housing and urban development department had assured the house-owners that the

dispute would be resolved soon. "There are issues but it will not affect the lives of the occupants in the

complex. They are the owners and have every right to live in their own houses. We are making efforts

to resolve the matter with the private party as soon as possible and trying to register the properties," a

housing board official said.

Chairman of the Odisha State Housing Board, G Mathi Vathanan, said the project was a public-private

partnership one and there were issues and court cases that the government was dealing with. "We are

working on the matter. Registration will begin soon after the issues get resolved," the chairman said.



Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/residential/nineteen-years-on-odisha-housing-board-yet-to-register-chandrama-flats/70685717

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The delay in the registration of the properties has created several problems for the occupants. They are

not being able to sell or transfer their flats in the absence of proper documents.

"The dispute is their problem, why should we suffer? Several house-owners have even died in the

meantime," another occupant of the complex said.

___________________________________________________________________

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Haryana initiates fresh talks on land for Hi-Tech township

“In Ghaziabad, Hi-Tech township is coming up along NH-9 and there, of the 6,000 acres

required, only about 4,000 acres have been acquired by the developers,” said Kanchan Verma,

the vice-chairperson, GDA.

The state government has initiated fresh talks on land needed for the ambitious Hi-Tech

township after the Allahabad high court gave it three months’ time to resolve the issue.

In a recent meeting that was attended by state government officials and representatives of different

development authorities in the state, including the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA), it was

decided that within a month, the authorities should hold deliberations with Hi-Tech township

developers and decide on the matter.

“In Ghaziabad, Hi-Tech township is coming up along NH-9 and there, of the 6,000 acres required,

only about 4,000 acres have been acquired by the developers,” said Kanchan Verma, the vice-

chairperson, GDA.

“The state government, at a recent meeting that was held in Lucknow, asked us to assess the situation

after talking to the developers and find out if they are ready to acquire the remaining land. The state

has also asked us to assess financial capacity of the developer and file a report within a month before

it takes a final call on the matter,” Verma added.

There have been several protests by farmers from not only Ghaziabad but also other places across the

state on the issue.

Under the township and integrated township policy, the farmers are bound by law to sell off their land

to select private developers. But as the land has not been acquired by private developers fully, the

farmers are neither able to sell the plots to any other party, nor use the land for themselves. Farmers in

the area have been demanding that the un-acquired land be de-notified.

The developers of Hi-Tech township in Ghaziabad said in a statement: “We will be very glad to

provide assurance to the GDA about our commitment to acquire the land parcel.”

___________________________________________________________________



Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/infrastructure/haryana-initiates-fresh-talks-on-land-for-hi-tech-township/70685821

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WeWork India leases 1.22 lakh sq ft from Panchshil Realty in Pune

This new centre in Pune, expected to be launched early next month, will have a capacity of over

2,000 seats, they added.

US-based co-working operator WeWork is expanding its India business and foraying into Punemarket

where it has taken on lease over 1.22 lakh sq ft office space to launch 24th centre in the country.

According to sources, WeWork has taken 1,22,165 sq ft office space in Panchshil

Realty's commercial project 'Panchshil Futura' in Pune, Maharashtra.

This new centre in Pune, expected to be launched early next month, will have a capacity of over 2,000

seats, they added.

At present, WeWork has 23 co-working centres in India with a total capacity 39,000 seats spread over

three million sq ft area. It has 9 centres each in Bengaluru and Mumbai, while another 5 in Gurugram,

Haryana.

When contacted, spokesperson of WeWork India declined to comment. A spokesperson of JLL India,

which facilitated this leasing transaction, too declined to comment.

Last year, WeWork India head Karan Virwani had said that the company offers desks starting from Rs

7,000 and up to Rs 40,000 per month depending on the locations and facilities. He had also mentioned

that all of WeWork's centres in India are profitable.

The co-working segment in India has gained momentum in last few years. Already, this segment

contributes 15-20 per cent of the total office space leasing.

Apart from WeWork, the other major players include Regus, CoWrks, Awfis, Smartworks, GoWork, ,

Skootr, Innov8, IndiQube, Avanta, 91 Springboard Creator's Gurukul, GoHive and OneCulture, and

Plus Offices among others.

Founded in 2010 by Adam Neumann and Miguel McKelvey in New York, WeWork is a platform for

creators, providing members around the world with space, community, and services through both

physical and virtual offerings. Globally, it now has presence in 528 locations in 111 cities across 29

countries. On Wednesday, WeWork announced its plans to raise capital through initial public

offering.

__________________________________________________________________



Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/commercial/wework-india-leases-1-22-lakh-sq-ft-from-panchshil-realty-in-pune/70694590

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Property insurance rates may spike

The severity of the disasters, which are taking place in shorter intervals, has prompted insurers

to consider hiking rates in April 2020, when policies come up for renewal.

Insurance firms are likely to bump up property cover rates as extreme weather becomes more common

in the country. This year, floods have caused widespread devastation in Karnataka, Kerala,

Maharashtra and Gujarat.

The severity of the disasters, which are taking place in shorter intervals, has prompted insurers to

consider hiking rates in April 2020, when policies come up for renewal.

The companies’ hand is forced by the fact that they operate within a small customer base. Only a

fraction of property owners across the country has signed up for policies. Ninety per cent of the

properties which were damaged in the 2005 Chennai deluge were not insured.

It was the same case in Kerala last year, when floods caused property damage of Rs 40,000 crore.

Only 3.5% of the losses had insurance protection.

Around 2.5 lakh people have been displaced in the latest spate of rain-related disasters. “We are only

in the first half of the year, and we have already seen a number of calamities — Assam, Bihar,

Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and the current crisis in Karnataka. In the past five years, the severity of the

events has increased; we are seeing once-in-a-century rain,” said Mohan CR, national head of

property and risk management, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co. “In the first quarter of 2018, we

saw property loss of Rs 31 crore. That has more than doubled to Rs 72 crore in Q1 2019.”

Despite seeing premium growth in this category, insurers say frequent natural catastrophes have eaten

into their profits. “Our premiums grew 55% year over year. But compared to an underwriting profit of

Rs 43 crore in the property segment, today we are seeing an underwriting loss of Rs 32 crore. Our

claims ratio has gone up from 41-83%,” Mohan said.

Most vehicle owners insure their rides as it is mandated by law. Even corporates take some form of

accident cover, for instance fire insurance. But homeowners remain reluctant to get insurance,

say industry experts. “After the heavy rains in Kerala and Kodagu district last year, we received

several enquiries for home insurance. But very few of them translated into leads,” said a senior

executive with New India Insurance.

Companies expect a sharp increase in the number of crop and vehicle insurance claims in Karnataka.



Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/property-insurance-rates-may-spike/70685675

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Reinsurance firm Swiss Re, in its global report, pegged India at number two in the list of countries

that are likely to witness worst catastrophes. China was first.

____________________________________________________________________

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Pune: DS Kulkarni's brother misappropriated land deal worth Rs 184

crore

On the request of the prosecution that the police wanted to probe Makrand for this transaction

and verify his bank accounts, Additional Sessions Judge A S Bhaisare remanded him in police

custody till August 17.

Builder D S Kulkarni's brother Makrand, arrested in connection with a Rs 2,000-crore cheating case,

had allegedly sold a land to DSK Developers at an inflated rate and "misappropriated" Rs 184 crore

through the deal in connivance with the main accused, a court was told on Wednesday.

On the request of the prosecution that the police wanted to probe Makrand for this transaction and

verify his bank accounts, Additional Sessions Judge A S Bhaisare remanded him in police custody till

August 17.

Makrand (66) was detained at the Mumbai airport on Tuesday when he was about to fly abroad.

A lookout circular was earlier issued against him by the Pune police since he was on the run after his

anticipatory bail plea was rejected by a court.

In May last year, the Pune police had filed a chargesheet against city-based builder D S Kulkarni, also

known as DSK, his wife and others for allegedly cheating nearly 33,000 depositors and investors of

nearly Rs 2,043.18 crore.

Makrand is also an accused in the case.

According to the prosecution, Makrand was involved in misappropriating Rs 184 crore through a land

deal between 2006 and 2008.

"It has been noticed that the present accused (Makrand) was involved in the conspiracy (hatched) by

D S Kulkarni, his wife and family members. It has been revealed that the present accused

misappropriated Rs 184 crore through the land deal," Public prosecutor Pravin Chavan said while

seeking Makrand's police custody.

The police had said the land, located on the outskirts of Pune, was allegedly purchased in the name of

Makrand.

"In the next one to two months, the said land was sold to DSKDL (DSK Developers Limited) at a

much higher rate. The excess amount was misappropriated as part of a conspiracy," Chavan said.



Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/pune-ds-kulkarnis-brother-misappropriated-land-deal-worth-rs-184-crore/70685454

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"Since Makrand's role has been established, police would like to question him over this transaction

and verify his bank accounts," he added.

According to a complaint filed in 2017 by one of the depositors, Jitendra Mulekar, investors put in

lakhs of rupees in a deposit scheme of DSK Developers, but they neither received the interest nor the

principal amount for months.

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the police had earlier booked the Kulkarnis under various

provisions of the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (MPID) Act and Indian Penal Code

sections 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 406 (criminal breach of trust)

and 34 (common intention).

Around 15 people have been named as accused in the case and 10 of them have so far been arrested,

including DSK and his wife, who are currently lodged at the Yerawada jail in Pune.

____________________________________________________________________

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BMC directs builders to develop 50% open space as urban forest in new

buildings

The BMC has begun to direct builders to create urban forests using the Miyawaki technique in

their upcoming projects in the city. Every building must develop half of the mandatory

recreational garden or open space in the common compound as an urban forest.

The BMC has begun to direct builders to create urban forests using the Miyawaki technique in their

upcoming projects in the city. Every building must develop half of the mandatory recreational garden

or open space in the common compound as an urban forest. Civic officials said creating a green cover

will go a long way in helping control pollution.

Municipal commissioner Praveen Pardeshi issued the directive recently, following which the BMC’s

building proposal department began to insist that builders include the provision to get their projects

cleared. Under the Miyawaki Technique, saplings are planted at close quarters to create a canopy

effect. Such a dense forest, though, leaves little room for walking. A civic engineer said, “Today,

builders are complying with the directive because it has been issued by the BMC chief. But what if

someone challenges it in court? We need a policy.”

The BMC has asked builders’ association to make a presentation on the issue.

The Tree Authority, constituted under the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of

Trees Act, mandates a minimum of two trees per 10 metres of open space in building premises in the

city. Under Miyawaki Technique, the number multiplies.

Senior architect Shirish Sukhatme said, “It is a good idea to have more trees in a building and increase

the green cover. But this needs to be supported by a policy. There is a Tree Authority rule that makes

it mandatory to plant a minimum of two trees in a 10m open space of the building. What if someone

challenges it? They may go by the Tree Authority rules and not follow the directive? To avoid such a

situation, the BMC should introduce a related policy.” A senior engineer in the building proposal

department said, “The policy to mandate the Miyawaki Technique has not been framed yet.” A civic

engineer said while constructing on a plot measuring 1,000 square metres, the builder must set aside

150 sq m for open space, of which 75 sq m must be used for an urban forest.

____________________________________________________________________



Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/residential/bmc-directs-builders-to-develop-50-open-space-as-urban-forest-in-new-buildings/70685758

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Madras HC stays construction of 4,500 houses in Vellingiri

A division bench of Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad passed the interim

order on a PIL moved by Vellingiri Hill Tribal Protection Society.

The Madras high court on Wednesday stayed construction of 4,500 houses by the Tamil Nadu Slum

Clearance Board (TNSCB) in the foothills of Vellingiri Hills in Coimbatore and thereby altering the

natural landscape of the area, which is an elephant corridor.

A division bench of Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad passed the interim order

on a PIL moved by Vellingiri Hill Tribal Protection Society.

“In the absence of clearance from the Coimbatore Local Planning Authority for reclassification of

land and also permission from Hill Area Conservation Authority (HACA) in respect of land in

Alandurai and Thenkarai areas, we are of the view that whatever has been done in the areas should not

be allowed to proceed, except without permission of the competent authorities,” the bench said.

When the PIL came up for hearing, Coimbatore district forest officer D Venkatesh submitted that

man-animal conflict is prevalent in the district forest division and the reasons for the same includes

increasing number of buildings, industrial and agricultural activities close to forest.

“This has resulted in reduction of sub-soil moisture drying up springs and streams inside the forest

forcing elephants and other wild animals to come out of forest in search of water. Any activity close to

the forest will have some effect on wildlife which are using that terrain,” the officer said.

He further pointed out that the forest department has issued no objection certificate to the project with

conditions including construction of elephant proof trenches along the extreme boundary of residential

blocks, instillation of instruments to know movement of wildlife, and no barriers to block free

movement of wild migratory animals.

Petitioner’s advocate M Purushothaman pointed out that the board has commenced the project even

without obtaining proper clearance for reclassification of the lands. Recording the submissions, the

bench passed the interim order and adjourned the plea.

____________________________________________________________________



Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/madras-hc-stays-construction-of-4500-houses-in-vellingiri/70685894

of 15

Home owners in Lucknow did not pay house tax worth Rs 3.5 crore

over four years

The Geographic Information Service (GIS) survey conducted by a private agency covered

20,000 houses in the first phase. Of these, 1,000 houses were found to be paying house tax less

than their floor area since 2014.

After Gomtinagar and Gomtinagar Extension, hundreds of houses in localities like Indiranagar,

Mahanagar and Vikasnagar in zone 7 of Lucknow Municipal Corporationhave been found to be

paying undervalued house tax for the past four years. This has resulted in a loss of Rs 3.5 crore to the

civic body for the duration.

There are a total of 35,000 houses in zone 7. The Geographic Information Service (GIS) survey

conducted by a private agency covered 20,000 houses in the first phase. Of these, 1,000 houses were

found to be paying house tax less than their floor area since 2014. The rest of the houses in the zone

will be surveyed this month.

Municipal commissioner Indramani Tripathi said, “House tax is based on self-assessment of floor

area. The owners misinformed us about the actual floor area of the house, which automatically

reduced the tax.”

A similar survey in zone 4, which includes Gomtinagar and Gomtinagar Extension, had found that of

a total 40,000 households, nearly 7,000 were paying less house tax, resulting in a loss of Rs 15 crore

since 2014. TOI had reported this on August 1. LMC is conducting a GIS survey across all eight

zones in the city to get an estimate of the number of households and property tax paid by them.

“After finding a huge difference between the estimated amount and the actual house tax amount

collected in zone 4, we decided to conduct a survey. After surveying just two zones, a lot of

irregularities came to the fore. We will continue the survey in the remaining six zones as well,”

Tripathi added.

After covering the entire city, data base of all households will be maintained at the newly constructed

Smart City Command Centre for assessment and tax collection in future.

____________________________________________________________________



Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/home-owners-in-lucknow-did-not-pay-house-tax-worth-rs-3-5-crore-over-four-years/70685800

16-august-2019credaibengal.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/16aug19-cb-daily-news-update.pdfaug 16,...

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