The Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has canceled allotments of 155 flats, including 29 in January 2025, due to unpaid licence fees under the Small Flats Scheme. Flats in Sector 49 and other areas face dues ranging from INR 40,000 to INR 1.50 lakh per allottee. Over 13,500 out of 18,000 scheme beneficiaries have defaulted on payments, leading to dues worth crores. CHB is exploring support measures, including payment plans, while urging compliance. This crackdown highlights the financial challenges faced in urban affordable housing initiatives and the board's efforts to enforce accountability while maintaining housing stability.Read more

The New Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) has identified over 1,000 residential buildings in New Town suspected of exceeding space limits or misusing areas for commercial activities without permission. Complaints from local residents, including noise disturbances from late-night events, have prompted the authorities to act. The NKDA plans to conduct surveys to compile a list of such buildings, followed by penalties for property owners. According to regulations, 40% of the floor area can be used commercially, but without proper clearance, property owners could face legal action.Read more

The BBMP has identified 235 acres of encroached land across 183 active lakes in Bengaluru, with 120 lakes impacted by private properties and 131 by government projects. Despite legal actions and a ?52.55 crore allocation for lake conservation, only seven acres have been reclaimed. Encroachments include roads on 116 lakes and cemeteries on 15. The court has demanded detailed encroachment data, urging BBMP to expedite action. These lakes, vital for the city's ecology and water supply, face severe threats amid rapid urbanization. Citizens are encouraged to support conservation efforts to protect Bengaluru's diminishing natural resources.Read more

Maharashtra government will initiate Aadhaar linkage for 2.62 crore rural land parcels and 81 lakh urban properties starting this month. This consent-based initiative aligns with the central Agristack program and aims to streamline land governance by integrating Aadhaar with 7/12 extracts. The process will also support the ULPIN system, assigning unique identifiers to land parcels. Benefits include enhanced transparency, prevention of fraudulent transactions, and ensuring accurate delivery of government benefits like PM-Kisan and crop insurance. Initially focusing on rural areas, the initiative is expected to transform land record management across the state, benefitting landowners with accurate and accessible records.Read more

The Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) reclaimed 40 bighas of government land valued at INR 60 crore in Anantpura village, originally designated for group housing projects. Encroachers, primarily local farmers, had set up cattle sheds, slums, and fences on the land. JDA's enforcement team, led by Chief Controller Adarsh Chaudhary and DIG Kailash Chandra Bishnoi, executed the clearance with additional police support. Since October 2024, the JDA has recovered 359 bighas of encroached land across various zones. Citizens are urged to report illegal occupations, reinforcing the authority's mission to safeguard land for planned developments.Read more

The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has transitioned to a fully online process for building plan submissions and approvals through the Building Plan Management System (BPMS), eliminating offline submissions. This shift, formalized by Municipal Commissioner Manisha Khatri, aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and adherence to Maharashtra's Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR). Replacing the earlier AutoDCR system, BPMS has resolved previous technical challenges faced by developers, ensuring seamless operations. The policy aligns with the state government's push for digital governance in urban planning, promoting accountability and streamlined processes for builders and developers in Nashik.Read more

The Bombay High Court ruled that arbitration clauses in contracts cannot override the jurisdiction of RERA tribunals, affirming RERA's authority to resolve disputes between homebuyers and developers under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. Justice Madhav Jamdar's decision ensures that disputes under RERA's purview cannot be diverted to private arbitration, a move hailed as a significant step in protecting homebuyers' rights. This ruling came in a case where Rashmi Realty Builders sought arbitration despite a RERA tribunal's order for refunding INR 12 lakh. The decision highlights RERA's role as the exclusive dispute resolution mechanism for real estate conflicts.Read more

The Noida Authority is addressing non-compliance among industrial and IT/ITES plot owners by escalating 171 cases to the Uttar Pradesh government. Despite a 2024 extension for functional certificates, over 80 industrial plots and 90 IT/ITES plots remain non-compliant due to overdue payments or incomplete construction. Of 206 industrial plots under review, 80 are non-functional, with 30 facing financial hurdles. Similarly, only 16 of 107 IT/ITES plots meet requirements, prompting the authority to explore resolutions, including installment plans and reinstatements. This move aims to resolve defaults while fostering industrial growth and ensuring timely development across Noida.Read more

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken possession of the land in Grant Road East, where the New Roshan Talkies once stood, as part of its investigation into the assets of the late Iqbal Mirchi, an alleged narcotics trafficker. The cinema hall, which had been demolished, was attached by the ED in October 2020, along with several other properties and bank funds, as part of a money laundering probe. Recently, the ED acted to secure physical possession of the site after reports of illegal encroachment efforts. The agency is also investigating the potential antique value of old film reels and whether the building had heritage status.Read more

The Andhra Pradesh government plans to lift the ban on 22A lands, aiming to benefit over 4.5 lakh acres of wrongfully restricted landowners. Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad announced steps to reassess misclassified lands and remove unjust restrictions imposed by the previous administration. A resurvey starting January 20 will address ownership claims, with reports from district collectors due in three days. The initiative targets corruption, including fraudulent land registrations and fake passbooks, ensuring transparency and fair ownership. This move highlights the government's commitment to resolving land issues and restoring rights to affected citizens.Read more