19-july-2019 - credai...ultratech cement chairman kumar mangalam birla on thursday said the company...

19-July-2019

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CREDAI Bengal Daily News Update | 19.07.19

MahaRERA gives Choksi’s housing project to Laxmi Infra Developers

Over 100 home buyers can breathe a sigh of relief after the construction of 20-storey Tatva Urja

and 21-storey Tatva Prayan in Borivali East has resumed after developer Laxmi Infra

Developers Ltd agreed to complete the project.

A housing project in Borivali East, which was left in limbo by absconding diamantaire Mehul Choksi,

will soon be completed with a new developer after the intervention of housing regulator MahaRERA.

Over 100 home buyers can breathe a sigh of relief after the construction of 20-storey Tatva Urja and

21-storey Tatva Prayan in Borivali East has resumed after developer Laxmi Infra Developers

Ltd agreed to complete the project.

The project was initiated by Gitanjali Gems Ltd, promoted by Mehul Choksi, and subsequently sold to

its wholly owned subsidiary Gitanjali Infratech Ltd, which started the development of the property in

2014 and registered it with MahaRERA. The project was supposed to have 155 flats in two 20 storey

towers, of which 101 were sold. In 2015, the construction work slowed down and stopped completely

in early 2018.

―Most of the buyers had paid 80 to 85 per cent of the flat cost when Mehul Choksi fled from India in

January 2018. Around 15 days before he left, Choksi had entered into a development agreement with

Laxmi Infra Developers Ltd to finish the balance work of 50 flats. Enforcement Directorate probing

the PNB Scam attached 54 unsold flats of these flats as part of attachment of Choksi‘s assets,‖ said

housing activist Ramesh Prabhu of Ramesh Prabhu & Associates.

When Tatva home buyers approached MahaRERA to use powers under Section 7 and 8 to complete

the project, Laxmi Infra Developers filed an intervention application. The Authority then asked both

the parties to hold discussions to reach an amicable settlement and sign consent terms.

This is the first of nearly 70 stuck projects that MahaRERA is looking at reviving using the powers

vested in Section 7 and 8 of Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA) after a severe

liquidity crunch hit the real estate market. These new sections were introduced in March 2019 which

allow home buyers to form an association of allottees and revoke the registration of a failed developer

as well as revive a project.

―The parties agreed to protect the interest of the allottees and allowed Laxmi Infra Developers to

complete the project in a time bound manner,‖ observed MahaRERA member Dr Vijay Satbir Singh

in his July 11 order. Some home buyers had also sought payment of interest for delays in possession.

However, MahaRERA ruled that the payment of interest at this stage could adversely impact the

completion of the project, and said home buyers could approach the authority again when the project

Newspaper/Online ET Realty (online)

Date July 19, 2019

Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/maharera-gives-choksis-housing-project-to-laxmi-infra-developers/70285920

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nears completion.

―The cost of completing the project was estimated to be Rs 30 crore. The buyers agreed to pay the 10

per cent balance payments and contribute around Rs 20 crore, and Laxmi Infra agreed to contribute Rs

10 crore. The developer agreed to complete construction within 9 months and will be given three

months grace period to get Occupancy Certificate by February 2020 as per the consent terms,‖ said

Prabhu. ―It is a landmark order by MahaRERA and shows the way to revive and complete a stuck

project in the interest of the home buyers.‖

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Ultratech to complete Century Cement merger by September

In May 2018, the Aditya Birla group announced a reorganisation of the cement business of the

group firm Century Textiles' cement business, under a scheme of demerger.

Ultratech Cement chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla on Thursday said the company will complete

merger of Century Cement during the course of the second quarter of the current fiscal, which will

take its capacity to 117.35 million tone.

In May 2018, the Aditya Birla groupannounced a reorganisation of the cement business of the group

firm Century Textiles' cement business, under a scheme of demerger.

The deal, which has long been in the works involving Kumar Mangalam Birla and his grandfather BK

Birla (who passed away earlier this month) will give Utlratech market leadership in all regional

markets.

The reorganization will bring to Ultratech get ready ownership of 13.4 million capacity spread across

MP, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, helping the land-endowed Century focus more on its real estate

business and pare debt of about Rs 3,000 crore.

"The merger of Century Cement will be completed during the second quarter of the current financial

year," Birla told the shareholders at the 19th AGM here.

Birla said, excluding China, Ultratech is already the third largest cement maker in the world and the

merger of Century will further buttress this.

"After the completion of Century Cement transaction, coupled with the on-going capacity expansion,

our capacity will be augmented to over 117.35 million tonne per annum, inclusive of its overseas

operations," he told shareholders.

The company has already got the approvals for this from the exchanges, the Competition Commission

and the shareholders apart from the NCLT, he said, adding the transaction will be effective in the

second quarter of FY20.

The only pending approval is for the transfer of mining leases, which should be in any time now, he

said.

"This transaction gives us an opportunity to strengthen our presence in the highly fragmented, but

competitive and fast growing Eastern and Central markets. It will also extend our footprint in the

Western and Southern markets," Birla said.


Date July 19, 2019

Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/allied-industries/ultratech-to-complete-century-cement-merger-by-september/70285972

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Century's cement business consists of three integrated units in MP, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra and

a grinding unit in Bengal.

He further said once the transfer of the mining leases gets completed, the financials will be recast to

give effect to the necessary changes.

During FY19, the company had completed acquisition of Binani Cement, which was subsequently

renamed Ultratech Nathdwara Cement, which has a 6.25-mt capacity in Rajasthan, and operates plants

in China and the UAE.

As of March 2019, Ultratech had an installed consolidated capacity of 102.75 mt of grey cement

(including 4 mt under commissioning), a capacity of 0.68 mt of white cement and two wall-care putty

plants.

In FY19, it reported a net income of Rs 2,456 crore as against and Rs 2,231 crore in FY18 on a

revenue of Rs 35,704 crore, which rose from Rs 29,358 crore.

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World Bank drops $300 million Amaravati project

The World Bank website Thursday showed the status of Amaravati Sustainable Infrastructure

and Institutional Development Project as 'dropped'.

In a major blow to Andhra Pradesh government, the World Bank has pulled out of a key project for

development of new state capital Amaravati for which it had committed $300 million.

The World Bank website Thursday showed the status of Amaravati Sustainable Infrastructure and

Institutional Development Project as 'dropped'.

However, Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA), which is the

implementing agency for the project, said it had not received any official communication from the

World Bank about dropping the project.

The total project cost was $715 million and the state government in 2016 had sought the entire

funding from the World Bank. However, it committed $300 million.

The World Bank is reported to have taken the decision following complaint by farmers and people's

organizations. They said that development of Amaravati will affect their livelihood and impact the

environment.

The development came one-and-half month after YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) came to power in the

state.

Amaravati is the brainchild of N. Chandrababu Naidu, who suffered crushing defeat in the recent

elections.

After forming first government in residuary state of Andhra Pradesh following bifurcation of united

Andhra Pradesh in 2014, Naidu had announced developing Amaravati near Vijayawada as the new

state capital. The Singapore government had prepared the master plan for the same.

Under Naidu's ambitious plans the capital city is to come up in areas of 217 sq km. Under the first

phase from 2015 to 2025, the state capital was to be built at a cost of nearly Rs 50,000 crore while the

subsequent two phases were estimated to cost over Rs 1 lakh crore.

Naidu's government had claimed that farmers voluntarily came forward to give 33,000 acres under an


Date July 19, 2019

Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/world-bank-drops-300-million-amaravati-project/70286060

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innovative land pooling system to develop the state capital. He had also succeeded in launching the

works to the tune of Rs.35,000 crore over last two years.

After taking over as the new chief minister in May, Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had alleged that there

was a big land scam in Amaravati to benefit then chief minister and those close to him. He had

declared that the government will get the irregularities in land acquisition and awarding works for

various projects thoroughly probed.

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Fate of Indian real estate hangs in balance as SC hears builders'

challenge to IBC

As many as 136 similar writs were filed by builders like Supertech, Parsvnath, BPTP, Ansal Hi-

Tech Townships, Today Homes Noida, Ireo, Wave MegaCity Centre, Three C Shelters, Emaar

Hills Township, ATS Realty, among others.

The Supreme Court of India on Thursday heard the constitutional challenge filed by over 100 builders

against the right provided to the homebuyers as ‗financial creditor‘ under the section 7 of Insolvency

and Bankruptcy Code.

The bench of justices Rohinton Fali Nariman, Sanjiv Khanna and Surya Kant took suo moto

congizance and has directed the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) appearing for the government to

provide a list of states where RERA authority, Appellate Tribunal and Adjudicating officer are not

present.

The order comes after the advocates Aditya Parolia and Piyush Singh, representing over 300 home

buyers, pointed out that the RERA act has still not been adopted or proper implementation has not

taken place in most of the states.

―Many states have appointed government officers as temporary authorty,‖ said Parolia. The SC

demanded a list of such states as well. The ASG will have to present this list to the court by Tuesday.

Pioneer Urban Land and Infrastructure filed a plea in the Supreme Court in January 2019, challenging

the validity of section 5(8)(f) of the IBC2016, where homebuyers were given the right to be

considered as financial creditors.

As many as 136 similar writs were filed by builders like Supertech, Parsvnath, BPTP, Ansal Hi-Tech

Townships, Today Homes Noida, Ireo, SARE Shelters Projects, Wave MegaCity Centre, CHD

Developers, Spaze Towers, Orris Infrastructure, AVP Buildtech, Three C Shelters, Emaar Hills

Township, TDI Infrastructure, ATS Realty, among others.

According to the builders, home buyers must make their claim through RERA and consumer forums,

and the amendment in IBC has only resulted in additional encumbrance upon them. They also say that

the definition of 'default' occurring in such cases is not clear. The financial creditors can initiate the

insolvency proceedings against a corporate debtor when it commits a 'default'. In case of delay of a

project the definition of 'default' becomes vague.


Date July 19, 2019

Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/fate-of-indian-real-estate-hangs-in-balance-as-sc-hears-builders-challenge-to-ibc-code/70275449

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Also, according to builders, there have been cases where the delay has happened on the buyer's end

paying the instalments. They also dispute the ambiguity about treating home buyers as secured or

unsecured creditors.

Hence, such cases when referred to insolvency forum turns into abuse of process of law and also

sometimes lead to delay in project delivery.

In the previous hearing held on July 10, the ASG had said that there was no illegality in amendment

brought by it in IBC. The centre had said that the law was amended to protect the interest of home

buyers who had invested their money to purchase flats. The amendment helped in their representation

in the Committee of Creditors under IBC.

The affidavit filed by the centre in the SC further said that the explanation was inserted under Section

5(8)(f), providing that the allottees under the real estate project are considered as financial creditors,

was only for the purpose of abundant clarity.

The case will next be heard on July 23.

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Three builders booked for selling land illegally in Greater Noida

The Authority has now asked the Surajpur police to take action against the three builders —

Balram Singh, Prahlad Singh and Vijay Kumar.

A week after police busted a gang that was selling land belonging to Noida Authority, authorities in

Greater Noida seem to be waking up to the menace of unauthorised colonies spiralling in the city. The

Greater Noida Authority has identified at least three builders who allegedly sold land illegally in

Tipalpta and Roopwas areas.

Officials said multiple plots have been sold by the name ―Defence Empire 1‖ and ―Defence Empire 2‖

in Tilapta area, where as many as 200 houses have come up and around 100 more are under

construction under the name of ―Sia Residency‖ on plot number 3 Mi in Roopwas area.

The Authority has now asked the Surajpur police to take action against the three builders — Balram

Singh, Prahlad Singh and Vijay Kumar.

Many plot buyers in Defence Empire 1 told TOI that while some had bought land from Balram as

early as six years back, many have invested in plots demarcated a few months ago.

Ramesh (name changed), a resident of Ballia, said he had invested Rs 6 lakh in a 70 yard plot in

Defence Empire 1. ―We had visited the area and found that it was laced with all facilities, including

electricity connection. I was introduced to the coloniser through a friend who has bought a plot here,‖

he said.

Similarly, most new buyers belong to others districts of UP, Bihar, Delhi, Jharkhand and they are now

inquiring about the status of the colony.

Senior sub-inspector of Surajpur police station said that the investigating officer in the case Lokesh

Chahal had filed a ―final report‖ — a precursor to the closure report against the accused, Balram

Singh.

Gautam Budh Nagar SSP Vaibhav Krishna said police can take action against the illegal colonisers

and settlement after the Authority officials accompany them to the ground and help identify the illegal

settlement. ―We can provide force on demand from the Authority,‖ he said.

Asked about the action they are planning against the colonisers, PP Mishra, assistant manager, work

circle 10 of the GNIDA, siad since Balram could not be traced, they will now look at lodging FIRs

against the plot owners. ―We visited the spot multiple times but fail to get the whereabouts of Balram


Date July 18, 2019

Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/three-builders-booked-for-selling-land-illegally-in-greater-noida/70269851

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and others who are not found in office. We are now planning to start lodging FIRs against the plot

owners.‖

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Pune wall collapse: Bail pleas of Alcon partners adjourned till July 19

“The court then allowed the plea and adjourned the matter till July 19 for a hearing with the

anticipatory bail pleas of two other Alcon partners (Jagdishprasad Agarwal and Sachin

Agarwal),” Nimbalkar said.

The court of additional sessions judge S R Tamboli on Wednesday adjourned till July 19 the hearing

of the bail plea filed by Vivek Sunil Agarwal and his brother, Vipul, both partners in Alcon

Landmarksrealty firm and arrested in the Kondhwa wall collapse case.

―A plea was filed on behalf of the investigating officer (IO) seeking time from the court for filing a

written say on the bail plea as his presence was required in the Bombay high court on Wednesday for

the hearing of an anticipatory bail plea filed by another Alcon partner (Rajesh Jagdishprasad

Agarwal),‖ their lawyer, Harshad Nimbalkar, told TOI.

―The court then allowed the plea and adjourned the matter till July 19 for a hearing with the

anticipatory bail pleas of two other Alcon partners (Jagdishprasad Agarwal and Sachin Agarwal),‖

Nimbalkar said.

In Mumbai, Justice Sarang V Kotwal of the high court on Wednesday recused himself from hearing

the anticipatory bail plea of Rajesh Agarwal and directed the court‘s office to place it before an

appropriate bench.

Justice Kotwal had earlier recused himself from hearing similar pleas in the case by Kanchan Group

partners Pankaj Vohra, Suresh Shah and Rashmikant Gandhi. Later, the bench of Justice Revati

Mohite-Dere granted them an interim protection till July 30.

When Rajesh‘s plea came up for hearing on Wednesday, Justice Kotwal passed an order stating, ―In

the connected matter.... arising out of the same offence, I have recused myself from hearing that

matter. Therefore, it is proper if this matter is also heard with the anticipatory bail application (filed by

Kanchan Group partners). Hence, I am recusing myself from hearing this matter as well.‖

Fifteen workers were killed and two others were injured when a retaining wall of the Alcon Stylus

society in Kondhwa caved in on June 29 and debris fell on victims‘ huts close to the wall in an

excavated area of the adjacent site ―Royal Exotica‖, being developed by the Kanchan Group.


Date July 18, 2019

Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/pune-wall-collapse-bail-pleas-of-alcon-partners-adjourned-till-july-19/70272776

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Pimpri Chinchwad civic body detects 15,000 unregistered properties in

its limits

The civic body has detected about 15,000 unregistered properties in its limits following a survey

conducted to boost tax revenue.

The civic body has detected about 15,000 unregistered properties in its limits following a survey

conducted to boost tax revenue.

The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has been facing financial losses due to the

non-registration of properties, additional construction and change in use of properties within the civic

limits.

Pravin Ashtikar, assistant commissioner of PCMC said, ―A total of 14,928 unregistered properties

were found in the survey. Of these, 10,308 are new properties; 3,489 properties have been extended,

and 648 new properties were built after demolishing old properties.‖

A senior official said the department will complete registration of these properties over the next two

months. The properties are expected to generate about Rs10 crore in property tax.


Date July 18, 2019

Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/pimpri-chinchwad-civic-body-detects-15000-unregistered-properties-in-its-limits/70273424

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Most new properties were found in the newly-merged Charholi, Moshi and Chikhali areas, officials

said.

The property tax department of the PCMC conducted the survey following an order issued by

Municipal commissioner Shravan Hardikar. The zonal officers were directed to survey of minimum

50% properties in the civic limits in coordination with the divisional property tax department between

June 24 and July 8.

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ED attaches properties worth Rs 200 crore of Basil International in

ponzi scheme

Apart from the immovable properties, bank balance of Rs 1.77 crore maintained in 15 accounts

of BIL and its associate companies have also been attached.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday attached assets worth Rs 200 crores of a private

company which is accused of cheating public with a ponzi scheme.

Several properties including flats, factories, hotels, amusement park, tea estate, office spaces

registered in the name of sixteen different companies of Basil International Limited (BIL) in Assam,

West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, Maharashtra were attached under provisions

of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Apart from the immovable properties, bank balance of Rs 1.77 crore maintained in 15 accounts of BIL

and its associate companies have also been attached.

The ED had initiated an investigation under PMLA on the basis of a charge sheet filed by the Central

Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against the company and others for cheating people by promising huge

and unsustainable returns.

Investigation revealed that the funds were fraudulently collected through a chain of agents located in

over seven states of the country.

"These schemes were sold not only in the name of BIL but also in the name of many other companies

like Vamshi Chemicals Limited, Nixcil Pharmaceuticals & Specialties Limited and Basil Express," a

press communique said.

The investigation also revealed that the funds collected through the schemes were illegally diverted by

creating a web of shell companies, it said.

The ED has claimed to have identified more than 60 private and public limited shell companies so far.


Date July 19, 2019

Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/ed-attaches-properties-worth-rs-200-crore-of-basil-international-in-ponzi-scheme/70286037

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Andhra Pradesh to issue another round of notices to illegal buildings in

Krishna river bed

This was informed to members in the legislative council on Wednesday during Question Hour

by Botsa Satyanarayana, minister for municipal administration and urban development.

The state government is planning to issue another round of notices to unauthorized constructions on

the Krishna river bed. The government would proceed further only after receiving replies to these

second set of notices.

This was informed to members in the legislative council on Wednesday during Question Hour

by Botsa Satyanarayana, minister for municipal administration and urban development.

He said the government has identified 26 buildings on the river bed which were all illegal and

unauthorized, adding that notices have been issued to owners and tenants of those buildings, including

the residence of former CM N Chandrababu Naidu.

He said Naidu, as a former chief minister, should vacate the illegal house to set an example. When

TDP members alleged that the government was indulging in witch-hunting, the minister said the

government was not ready to entertain any illegal and unauthorized activity.

Meanwhile, revenue minister Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose told members in the council that the

government had started reorganization of districts in the state.

He said chief minister Jaganmohan Reddy had promised to create new districts based on the Lok

Sabha constituency. The government was consulting experts now on the issue, he said.

MLC G Srinivas Reddy requested the minister to consult leaders and political parties before

reorganizing the districts. He urged the government to take feedback from people too.

The members cautioned the government on reorganizing the tribal districts based on the ST Lok

Sabha constituency to ensure that the district headquarters is not located too far away.

___________________________________________________________________


Date July 18, 2019

Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/andhra-pradesh-to-issue-another-round-of-notices-to-illegal-buildings-in-krishna-river-bed/70277500

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Builders default on housing project status, Tamil Nadu RERA silent

TOI found that only 12 of the 82 ongoing housing projects registered from January to March

had the current status on the portal. A chunk of the defaulting projects are in and around

Chennai.

In a blatant violation of rules, several developers have failed to disclose the status of their projects.

The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, mandates quarterly updates on projects that

will then be uploaded on the Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TNRERA) portal for the

benefit of homebuyers.

TOI found that only 12 of the 82 ongoing housing projects registered from January to March had the

current status on the portal. A chunk of the defaulting projects are in and around Chennai.

Last year, of the 564 housing projects registered, 41% provided status updates; some defaulted since

May 2018. In 2017, after the ambitious real estate act came into force and the government notified the

rules on June 22, updates of only 25 of 280 projects didn‘t provide updates.

Progress details that are to be updated include the number of flats booked, percentage of construction

completed and pictures shot at the site with date and time. The act also mandates display of details of

the functions and duties of the promoter.

Confederation of Real Estate Developers‘ Association of India (CREDAI) (TN chapter) chairman S

Sridharan said many developers would have completed projects, but missed updating them. ―It could

also be an oversight. However, there cannot be any compromise on furnishing details.‖

Developers need to send quarterly updates to TNRERA office before they are updated on the portal.

TNRERA chairman K Gnanadesikan said notices would be issued to the defaulting developers. ―A

software that will help developers update progress details online directly is in the online.‖

____________________________________________________________________


Date July 18, 2019

Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/builders-default-on-housing-project-status-tamil-nadu-rera-silent/70269876

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Coimbatore tops in implementing Smart City projects in Tamil Nadu

Under the smart cities project, the city corporation has so far completed 14 projects at a cost of

Rs 86.78 crore.

Coimbatore appears to be surging ahead of other cities in the state in implementation of Smart

City mission projects. According to data submitted by the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs

in the Rajya Sabha recently, the city tops in the number of projects for which work has commenced as

well as the number of projects which have been completed in the state.

Under the smart cities project, the city corporation has so far completed 14 projects at a cost of Rs

86.78 crore. As many as 52 projects at a cost of Rs 1210.64 crore are in the execution stage. Officials

say they are hoping to complete most of the Smart City projects by the end of 2020, bringing a vast

difference to the way the city looks.

Coimbatore also comes first in the state in obtaining government nod and executing the projects. In

fact, Coimbatore is among the top 5 cities nationally when in the number of projects in the execution

stage. Salem comes a distant second with 23 projects under way, followed by Chennai.

"We came up with designs for the development work and submitted the project proposals one and a

half years ago. By mid-2018, we had completed the design part ahead of other cities, we managed to

get the clearance fast," said a senior officer in the city corporation. One of the notable projects that

was implemented in the city was installing a solar power plant at Ukkadam. With this project, the

corporation is not just using clean energy, but also has been saving over Rs 5 crores per annum in its

electricity bills.

Another major work that was taken up at a cost of Rs 30 crore was to provide alternative

accommodation to encroachers of water bodies. The civic body was swift in identifying another

location to accommodate them and this helped in quicker implementation. If the corporation had not

provided alternative free accommodation, clearing encroachments would have delayed. Like other

cities, even Coimbatore would be struggling to clear encroachments. "Under the Smart City mission,

we have not just preserved the water bodies, but have transformed the lives of people living in

encroached dwellings as well," the official said.

A source in charge of the projects said priority is given to lake restoration projects in the city. "We

have already started implementing the project in two lakes – Periyakulam and Selvachintamani tanks -

and we have obtained permission to implement the project in the other six lakes," he said.


Date July 18, 2019

Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/coimbatore-tops-in-implementing-smart-city-projects-in-tamil-nadu/70274259

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Explaining that the implementation period of the projects was 18 months, the source said that two

years down the lane the city, especially the water bodies and the places around it, would have

undergone a huge transformation. At present, beautification work is being carried out along a bund of

the Valankulam tank and the Periyakulam tank and the work is expected to be completed within nine

months at the maximum. As the lake restoration project is implemented at large scale for the first time

in the state, a separate Project Monitoring Committee (PMC) was appointed to assist the corporation.

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Dongri tragedy: Mumbai needs enforcement of building safety norms,

say experts

Every year, the financial capital sees instances of building collapse, foot overbridge accidents

and other life- threatening but preventable incidents. The situation gets aggravated during the

monsoon.

The collapse of a residential building on Tuesday in the congested Dongri area has once again put the

focus on Mumbai's stressed infrastructure with experts and realtors calling for strict enforcement of

safety norms and regular audits to avoid such tragedies in the future.

Every year, the financial capital sees instances of building collapse, foot overbridge accidents and

other life- threatening but preventable incidents. The situation gets aggravated during the monsoon.

The four-storey residential structure in Dongri in south Mumbai caved in shortly before noon, killing

at least 10 people and trapping more than 40 people under the debris, civic officials said.

This was the latest addition in the list of such tragedies in the Mumbai metropolitan area which is

replete with tales of sheer negligence and apathy by authorities tasked with overseeing development

and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure assets.


Date July 18, 2019

Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/dongri-tragedy-mumbai-needs-enforcement-of-building-safety-norms-say-experts/70277031

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"Mumbai needs to urgently work on strengthening existing infrastructure even as it goes in for new

infrastructure development," said Niranjan Hiranandani, president of Naredco, a national body of real

estate developers.

Earlier this month, the city witnessed instances of wall collapse caused by the worst monsoon rains in

a single day in 14 years, killing over 20 people.

Mumbai had received a record-breaking 400mm of rainfall on the night of July 1, disrupting rail, road

and air traffic and prompting officials to shut schools the next day.

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In another incident, three people died when a school wall collapsed in Kalyan, 42km north of

Mumbai. Besides, around 200 metres of an internal road in the area caved in, forcing 100 families to

vacate two residential buildings.

"The instances of deaths caused by building collapses during monsoons have now become frequent in

the last few years.

"Unfortunately, people continue to die, and India has so far failed to strictly enforce safety norms for

high-rises in the country," said Ramesh Nair, CEO and Country Head, JLL India, a global real estate

services firm.

"As opposed to the scenario witnessed in more developed countries, India lags on implementing

tighter norms for the structural and fire safety for all kinds of buildings," said Nair.

He said a large section of the real estate development fraternity is now aware of these guidelines and

follows necessary construction norms relating to natural disasters such as earthquake, water, fire and

floods to make safer structures.

"However, there remains a section of unorganised builders who continue to flout structural safety

norms. Law should strictly deal with them," Nair maintained.

At least six people were killed and 32 injured when a major portion of a foot overbridge near the

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) railway station in south Mumbai collapsed in March.

In July last year, the pedestrian section of the Gokhale bridge in suburban Andheri gave way, killing

two persons and injuring three others.

"The basic requirement is to decongest existing overcrowded urban spaces by creating new cities in

periphery areas with mass rapid transport linkages to the CBDs (central business districts), which will

provide breathing space for overburdened and overworked infrastructure.

"We need to promote the idea of planned suburbs on the periphery of Mumbai to de-congest existing

infrastructure and ensure ease of mobility," Hiranandani added.

After every such tragic incident, it is often seen that government agencies like the BMC, Mhada and

Railways engage in blame game and pass the buck.

Mumbai Grahak Panchayat chairman Shirish Deshpande said such incidents are not a matter of blame

game and there is an urgent need to look at them very seriously.

Every year before the monsoon, Mhada (Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority) and

BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) release a list of dilapidated and dangerous buildings

and issue eviction notices to occupants.

"But while doing so, they do not take into consideration where will the tenants go. We cannot

continue living with this and passing the blame.

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"With RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) in place, we have asked the authorities from Mhada

and the government to sit together and create a regulatory framework for redeveloping such structures

in a time -bound manner," Deshpande added.

Ramesh Prabhu, founder-chairman, Maharashtra Societies Welfare Association, said the current

infrastructure in Mumbai is not capable enough to hold the burgeoning population.

"On one hand we cannot stop the influx and on the other hand we are unable to provide adequate

infrastructure and housing. This has resulted in mushrooming of slums," he said.

At the same time, there is no proper assessment or structural audits of the existing establishments,

Prabhu said.

It is necessary for the government to take proactive steps in this regard or else such incidents will

continue to recur with fatal consequences, he warned.

Prabhu said the state government, in a July 4 order, has asked the authorities to give priority to

redevelopment to buildings which are declared dangerous for settlement.

"We now need to see how this is implemented," he said.

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Applicants surrendered DDA flats over size and location of homes:

Housing Minister

In a majority of the cases, the applicants have not provided any specific reasons for

surrendering the flats, the Union minister of state for housing and urban affairs (independent

charge) said.

Applicants of Delhi Development Authority's housing scheme surrendered their flats after allotment

over size and location of their homes, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri told the Lok Sabha

Thursday.

Replying to a question in Lower House, he said the DDA has decided to refund 50 per cent of the

'maintenance fund' charged for undertaking maintenance works for 30 years from the allottees of one

bedroom/LIG flats of Housing Scheme 2014/Awasiya Yojana 2017.

In a majority of the cases, the applicants have not provided any specific reasons for surrendering the

flats, the Union minister of state for housing and urban affairs (independent charge) said.

However, some of the reasons as reported are -- applicants did not like the location of the allotted flats

and size of the allotted flats was small, he said.

"The DDA has started shuttle bus service from the nearest Bus Terminal and Metro Station from the

1st Week of December, 2018 at Narela, Siraspur and Rohini Sector 34 and 35, free of cost to the

residents of these DDA flats," Puri said.

It has allotted 23 shops for daily needs to NAFED at Dwarka Sector-23B, Rohini Sector-34 and

Narela G-2 and G-8, he said.

____________________________________________________________________


Date July 18, 2019

Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/residential/applicants-surrendered-dda-flats-over-size-and-location-of-homes-housing-minister/70280026

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One year on, Chandigarh residents still await solar subsidy

Eightynine-year-old Swarshlata, a resident of Sector 27, said their family had installed a 3 kW

solar rooftop plant on their house in Sector 27 but till date the department had not provided

them subsidy.

Even as the UT administration has claimed of providing assistance to city residents for installation of

solar plants, but when it comes to providing subsidy it looks the other way. It has been a year and

residents are waiting for over a year to get their subsidy.

Eighty-nine-year-old Swarshlata, a resident of Sector 27, said their family had installed a 3 kW solar

rooftop plant on their house in Sector 27 but till date the department had not provided them subsidy.

Their family members had visited the department concerned a number of times, but to no avail, she

added.

Echoing similar views, Wg Cmdr Arun Kumar (retd), a resident of Sector 15 here, said he had

installed a 3 kW plant on his 2 kanal house in Sector 15 in October last year but till date he is also

waiting for subsidy, which amounts to Rs 54,000. ―Earlier, officials were saying that code of conduct

for the Lok Sabha elections was in force and told us to wait. But now elections are over, but still

officials are telling us to wait for two more weeks. The authorities should not harass residents for

subsidy,‖ he suggested.

As per government‘s directive, a subsidy of 30% on capital cost is available for rooftop SPV plant.

Recently, the Chandigarh administration had once again extended the deadline by three months for the

installation of solar plants. This was the third extension given by the UT administration.

The Chandigarh Renewal Energy, Science and Technology Promotion Society (Crest), the nodal

agency for installation of solar plants in Chandigarh, had recently proposed to extend the deadline to

install solar plants by three months. Thereafter, a notification was issued by UT chief

administrator Ajoy Kumar Sinha, which reads, ―I, Ajoy Kumar Sinha, chief administrator, union

territory, Chandigarh, in exercise of the power conferred under Section 4 of the Capital of Punjab

(Development and Regulation) Act, 1952, hereby order to extend the deadline for installation of

mandatory solar photovoltaic power plant for existing residential and non-residential buildings in

Chandigarh up to September 30.‖

Earlier, the deadline was June 30 and the administration had decided not to give extension beyond

that. But sources revealed that as the administration failed to achieve the desired results and there was

no approval from the competent authority for installation of solar panels, the administration was

forced to extend the deadline. Before June 30, the deadline was November 17, last year.


Date July 18, 2019

Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/residential/one-year-on-chandigarh-residents-still-await-solar-subsidy/70274799

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The administration in a notification issued on May 18, 2016, had made installation of rooftop solar

power plants mandatory in residential houses measuring 500 sq yds and above and group housing

societies. There are around 10,000 such houses in different parts of the city, including sectors 8 (417

houses), 11 (493 houses), 33 (643 houses), 35 (419 houses) and 36 (417 houses).

Till date, only 29% of houses have installed solar plants. Earlier, the deadline was set for May 6, last

year, but was later extended to November 17, last year. Then again it was extended to June 30 this

year.

The ministry of new and renewable energy had enhanced the city‘s solar power generation target from

50 MW to 69 MW, to be achieved by 2022, through net and gross metering. Local authorities are

struggling to meet the target due to shortage of space in the city, which is spread on an area of just 114

sq km.

Crest has only managed to install a solar power plant with a capacity of 26 MW in the past six years.

It will have to ensure generation of 43 MW within three years to meet the target under the model solar

city project. Those who fail to install solar power plants despite directions of the UT administration

will be served notice by the UT estate office.

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Mumbai: Cloud over legal status may hamper Kesarbai redevelopment

MLA Amin Patel said he was hopeful of finding a solution for tenants after discussing the issue

with Mhada officials.

Reconstruction of the crashed Kesarbai Mansion is mired in uncertainty due to lack of clarity over its

legal status. Besides, surviving tenants of the collapsed structure have not been provided with any

interim accommodation by the trust that owns it or the authorities, barring a temporary shelter at

a BMC school. The school wore a deserted look when TOI visited on Wednesday though; the

survivors and other residents have moved in with neighbours, relatives or into hotels.

MLA Amin Patel said he was hopeful of finding a solution for tenants after discussing the issue

with Mhada officials. He said, ―A senior minister has himself admitted that a part of the collapsed

structure was legal.‖ Mhada has said the structure did not exist on its records and was illegal. BMC,

on the other hand, said it was authorized as the property was assessed and tax collected on it.

On Wednesday, the BMC decided to pull down the remaining portion of the collapsed structure. The

final decision will be taken by BMC commissioner Praveen Pardeshi though, considering that Mhada

has raised doubts over its legal status. But if Mhada identifies it as a legal cessed structure, then the

housing body will have to pull it down, not the BMC.

An officer said the BMC plans to write to Mhada to take action against other illegal structures too. A

BMC official said, ―We will write to Mhada to take action against illegal structures under their

jurisdiction as they have all the records. They can directly proceed with action and we will provide all

required resources. It is only a long-term solution to end the blame game following such incidents.‖

Meanwhile, locals have alleged there are other highrises near the crashed structure which have seen

multiple floors added illegally. One was earlier demolished by the BMC but the builder restarted

construction.

Half of the Kesarbai-B structure, constructed around 30 years ago, crashed on Tuesday. Occupants of

the portion that is still standing, who survived without any injuries, complained that they are unable to

collect their belongings.

The structure was annexed to the main Mhada cessed Kersarbai-C building, which is around 100 years

old.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Date July 18, 2019

Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/residential/mumbai-cloud-over-legal-status-may-hamper-kesarbai-redevelopment/70275073

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Land ownership rights in nearly 1800 unauthorized colonies soon: Delhi

CM

At a press conference Kejriwal announced that positive response came from central government

on Wednesday.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday announced that land owners in 1797 unauthorised

colonies of Delhi would soon get ownership rights of their properties. The AAP government in

November 2015 had approved a proposal and sent it to the central government for approval.

At a press conference Kejriwal announced that positive response came from central government on

Wednesday. The central government has sought replies on some points for which Kejriwal held a

meeting with senior bureaucrats on Thursday morning. The Delhi government will soon submit the

replies so that the process of regularizing the unauthorized colonies can be started soon.

"Soon the prepration for starting the registry will begin," Kejriwal stated on Twitter while thanking

the BJP led central government on behalf of the people of Delhi.

Regularization of unauthorized colonies is a long pending demand of people owning lands in these

areas. It has been dominating issues during elections in the national capital.

__________________________________________________________________


Date July 18, 2019

Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/land-ownership-rights-in-nearly-1800-unauthorized-colonies-soon-delhi-cm/70276625

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Government to sell immovable Enemy Properties this fiscal to mop up

revenues

The government will sell the immovable properties like land and buildings of the Enemy this

fiscal to augment the divestment revenues and will also get its share from the proceeds of the

non-core asset sales of the CPSEs, a top official said.

The government will sell the immovable properties like land and buildings of the Enemy this fiscal to

augment the divestment revenues and will also get its share from the proceeds of the non-core asset

sales of the CPSEs, a top official said.

"We got Rs 1,800 crore from the sale of 'Enemy Property' last fiscal and now we are looking at selling

land and buildings of 'such properties. We will look at those properties which have clear title paper

and the transactions involves its custodians with DIPAM being provided all relevant documents

together with information on encumbrances or encroachments," Atanu Chakraborty, Secretary,

DIPAM told IANS in an interview.

The government has increased disinvestment target for FY20 from earlier Rs 90,000 crore to Rs

1,05,000 crore. It is thus looking at all possible ways of of mobilising disinvestment proceeds.

Asked if DIPAM has set any target for the sell-off proceeds of immovable Enemy Property,

Chakraborty said: "We don't intercede such targets. All these processes are very time consuming

involving legal issues, contracts, agreements and titles all these have to be worked out. Even

transactions small or big one like Air India, the spade work is huge."

The 'Aliens' or Enemies are not the citizens of India. These are the people who at the time of partition

or later went to Pakistan or Bangladesh or anywhere and left properties behind. Their properties are

with the Custodian of Enemy Property.

As DIPAM is currently undertaking the exercise of selling of identified non-core assets of the CPSEs,

there is an issue of who will get the proceeds of such sales? Whether its DIPAM or the CPSE whose

assets are being sold off.

"Its a complex process.. but however that proceeds would be treated as proceeds from strategic

divestment. It will go on case to case basis on what would be the principles of sharing. But since it is

non-core asset to the concerned CPSE with no credible financial use, it will go on case to case basis

on what would be the platform for principles for sharing. But since that's an asset which doesn't have a

very credible financially viable use for the CPSE, obviously the promoter -- government does deserve


Date July 18, 2019

Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/government-to-sell-immovable-enemy-properties-this-fiscal-to-mop-up-revenues/70278832

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a share. It will be on case-by-case on who DIPAM or the concerned CPSE gets the lion's share," the

Secretary said.

If the CPSE wants to sell some of its core assets like its loss making power plants, they can go ahead

to it on their own. But if they want securitise some part of their core assets, there DIPAM can have a

role.

He said hiving off entire core assets is not DIPAM's domain. Airlines industry does it because there,

the sale and lease-back kind of arrangement. It's part of the regular operations which companies do. If

in a petroleum company, certain pipelines are leased out, it's a limited case. If everyone started selling

out their core assets, they shouldn't be involved in business, the Secretary said.

In case of CPSEs hiving off non-core assets and then DIPAM selling off them, Chakrabortty said first

the ownership has to change.

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Ghaziabad development body to cancel building plans not adhering to

plantation norms

In building bylaws, there is a set of rules governing mandatory tree plantation depending on

plot size and population and the GDA provides completion certificate only after assurance that

the norms will be followed.

The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) is planning to cancel the building plans of all group

housing societies and individual plots that have not adhered to mandatory tree plantation norms.

In building bylaws, there is a set of rules governing mandatory tree plantation depending on plot size

and population and the GDA provides completion certificate only after assurance that the norms will

be followed. However, hardly any group housing societies have fully adhered to it.

―Compulsory tree plantation is a must as per building by laws but it has come to our notice that many

individual plots, group housing societies, institutional and industrial units have not taken it

seriously,‖ Kanchan Verma, vice-chairperson, GDA, said, adding, ―We intend to cancel their building

plans. We will carry out an inspection shortly.‖

As per building bylaws , a minimum of two trees at 10 m needs to be planted in a plot area of up to

200 sq m.

―In housing societies, occupancy is the yardstick to determine the number of trees to be planted. As

per bylaws, it should be 40 trees per 100 people,‖ said Verma.

―Societies that have erred will be issued notices and will be given time to come up with an assurance.

If they fail to initiate any action, their building plan will be cancelled,‖ said Verma.

___________________________________________________________________


Date July 18, 2019

Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/ghaziabad-

development-body-to-cancel-building-plans-not-adhering-to-plantation-

norms/70276753

19-july-2019 - credai...ultratech cement chairman kumar mangalam birla on thursday said the company...

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