The Delhi High Court has invalidated a demolition notice issued by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) targeting "unauthorized" constructions near the Mehrauli Archaeological Park. The court directed the DDA to restart the process, emphasizing the importance of granting a fair hearing to the affected parties before taking further action on alleged encroachments. The court highlighted procedural lapses, stating that no intimation was issued to the petitioners before the demolition notice, and quashed the notice issued in December 2022. The ruling underscores the need for administrative actions to adhere to statutory procedures and principles of natural justice.Read more
Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UPRERA) has taken strict action against promoters of real estate projects, penalizing over a thousand projects for failing to submit Quarterly Progress Reports (QPR) as required. Among these projects, promoters of 732 have neglected to provide any target and completion date details, while 356 projects have not updated their progress targets on the UPRERA portal. The penalties imposed by UPRERA amount to Rs 2 lakh per project for the former and Rs 1 lakh per project for the latter. These penalized projects encompass various categories, including residential, commercial, and plotted developments, and are predominantly situated in regions like Gautam Budh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Meerut, Varanasi, and Agra.Read more
In Greater Noida, a newly formed nine-member committee, led by additional CEO Saumya Srivastava, aims to address and resolve disputes between builders and buyers. This committee, established to expedite conflict resolution, will focus on issues such as the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs), the formation of Apartment Owners Associations (AOAs), and the transfer of interest-free maintenance security (IFMS) funds. The panel comprises officials from various GNIDA departments, including legal representation, and includes two members nominated by the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI) to represent builders. This initiative seeks to streamline conflict resolution and improve communication between stakeholdersRead more
The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has extended the deadline for payments under the Mass Housing Scheme 2018-19 to January 10, 2024. This extension provides relief to applicants who have been struggling to meet the initial payment deadlines for their housing tenements. CIDCO's decision aims to assist citizens in securing their dream homes, acknowledging the financial challenges faced by many. The extension applies to defaulting applicants who received allotment letters between 2019 and 2022, requiring them to pay the remaining instalments along with any delayed payment charges by the new deadline to avoid cancellation of allotments.Read more
Several apartment residents in Bengaluru are facing a dilemma as they are forced to pay significant sanitary charges by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) despite treating their sewage on their own. According to BWSSB rules introduced in 2014, apartments with over 20 flats must establish sewage treatment plants (STPs). Residents argue that they are being charged unjustly, as they are bearing the expenses of STPs. They have raised this issue with BWSSB, stating that they are not receiving services in return for these charges. BWSSB claims they don't impose sanitary charges on apartments complying with sewage treatment norms set by the National Green Tribunal.Read more
In Ladakh, concerns have arisen regarding the Ladakh Industrial Land Allotment policy. The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and the Leh Apex Body (LAB) have sounded the alarm, highlighting a lack of transparency and local engagement in the policy's development. There are fears that the policy may deprive the people of Ladakh of their land and job opportunities while potentially altering the region's demographics. LAB plans to submit a comprehensive response, emphasising the importance of inclusive governance and the need for transparent policymaking in Ladakh's development.Read more
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has proposed significant amendments to enhance the insolvency resolution process for real estate projects. These changes include mandatory project registration with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), the exclusion of properties in the possession of homebuyers from liquidation, segregated bank accounts for each project, compliance with RERA Act provisions, streamlined handover processes for units available 'as is, where is,' and the facilitation of separate resolution plans for specific projects. These reforms aim to provide substantial relief to homebuyers and improve transparency, efficiency, and compliance within the real estate insolvency resolution framework.Read more
The Khed district court in Mumbai greenlights the demolition of Sai Resort in Dapoli, Ratnagiri, overturning a trial court's restraining order. Originally owned by Shiv Sena leader Anil Parab, later transferred to Sadanand Kadam, the resort faced legal scrutiny for violating Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) guidelines. The Ratnagiri collector's demolition order, challenged in the trial court, was contested by Kadam. However, the district court, citing unauthorized construction exceeding sanctioned plans, emphasizes the importance of upholding environmental regulations. The ruling sets a precedent, reinforcing the necessity of adhering to construction guidelines in ecologically sensitive areas and maintaining the rule of law.Read more
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has retracted its plan to build a restaurant-cum-hangout space at the Juhu parking lot in Mumbai. The decision came after strong opposition from residents and local authorities who emphasized that the area was designated for parking in the city's development plan. The proposed project by AAI was met with resistance, and local officials clarified that current regulations only allow for a security booth (chowky) to be constructed on land reserved for parking. The rollback is seen as a positive step, with hopes for the parking lot to be optimally utilized to address Juhu's parking issues.Read more
The Belagavi Urban Development Authority (BUDA) has called for tenders to create a new master plan for the city that will remain in effect for the next 17 years. The existing 2014 master plan covers Belagavi and 27 surrounding villages. With 28 additional villages set to be included in the new plan, BUDA's jurisdiction now extends to encompass 55 villages. A GPS-based survey, costing ?1.8 crore, will be conducted to gather detailed data in accordance with specified guidelines. The consultancy firm has eight months to submit the new master plan report. This move has sparked opposition from some organizations and farmers concerned about the inclusion of the additional villages.Read more