The Supreme Court has directed a fresh Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine allegations of collusion between Noida Authority officials and builders over inflated land acquisition payouts. The three-member team, supported by forensic and economic offences experts, must scrutinize bank and asset trails of officials, landowners, and their families and act under law where wrongdoing emerges. The court also imposed environmental checks on new projects, mandated oversight via a Chief Vigilance Officer and a Citizens Advisory Board, and awaits updates in eight weeks.Read more

The Karnataka Revenue Department is cracking down on illegal residential layouts created using "11E maps" meant for legitimate land partitioning. Many such plots, often under one gunta, were sold without converting agricultural land, bypassing norms and lacking basic infrastructure. Investigations revealed collusion between landowners and officials, leading to seizures of illicit sites and suspensions of complicit officers. Under the "Swavalambi" initiative, hundreds of cases involved improper regularisation. Deputy Commissioners are now reviewing over 30,000 suspected instances for swift legal action. Weekly progress reviews, combined with digital tools like the 'Beat' app, geofencing, and Bhoomi-Kaveri systems, aim to ensure transparency and curb future violations.Read more

Local self-government department granted technical approval for the Thanal Housing Project in Thiruvananthapuram, bringing relief to 99 families, many of whom are differently abled. With revised cost estimates based on the 2024 Schedule of Rates, the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society is ready to commence constructing a two-storey, 136-unit residential complex spanning two acres. Groundwork has already been completed, and the project is expected to finish within 18 months once construction begins.Read more

A CAG performance audit tabled in the Goa Legislature has exposed major lapses in the welfare of construction workers. Over 798 interstate labourers were unregistered, missing out on benefits, while poor data sharing weakened oversight. Village panchayats failed to collect a 1% cess, losing INR 3.8 crore, and builders withheld INR 5.2 crore. Administrative costs soared beyond the 5% cap, and funds lay idle in low-interest accounts. Unqualified people were wrongly registered for COVID-19 benefits, and site inspections were irregular, with safety gear and facilities often missing. The CAG urged tighter registration, better cess recovery, stricter inspections, and faster delivery of welfare benefits.Read more

The administration of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is on the verge of releasing a new regulation that would allow individual registration of flats, regardless of the number of units in a building. Until now, buildings with fewer than eight apartments had to form housing cooperative societies, complicating documentation and hindering access to bank loans. The draft regulation, developed in consultation with key stakeholders, aims to remove these hurdles by enabling straightforward flat-level registration and easier financing.Read more

Noida Authority launched a decisive drive against unauthorised constructions, warning homeowners that plot allotments could be cancelled if balcony extensions, extra rooms or fences encroaching on Authority land are not removed. Notices have already been issued under Section 10 of the UP Industrial Area Development Act. The CEO has instructed officials to serve these directly at properties and maintain detailed records. Alongside the crackdown, the Authority is pushing for faster completion of delayed infrastructure works, including the Bhangel Elevated Road, and is implementing measures to improve drainage, cleanliness, verge maintenance and control over stray cattle.Read more

A consumer commission in Mumbai has directed a developer to repurchase a flat sold over two decades ago, citing the absence of a mandatory completion certificate. The buyer, who had purchased the property in the early 2000s, raised the issue after the building failed to obtain the necessary approval. The commission ruled that the developer must compensate the buyer by repurchasing the flat at its current market value, alongside interest and additional costs for the prolonged inconvenience caused.Read more

The Karnataka Real Estate Regulatory Authority (K-RERA) has ruled that both builders and landowners in joint development projects must share the responsibility of providing basic civic amenities. The decision came after residents of a Bengaluru housing project complained about the lack of water and sewerage connections, despite paying all charges. The order states that both parties must also hand over key project documents to the residents' association. The move sets an important precedent for joint projects across Karnataka, making sure homebuyers are not left without essential services.Read more

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) recently carried out a demolition drive in Airoli against unauthorised structures, following non-compliance with earlier notices issued under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966. Acting on the directives of the municipal commissioner and senior officials, the encroachment department demolished illegal buildings and roadside slums. Penalties amounting to INR 1,00,000 were collected from the violators, and the corporation affirmed its commitment to continuing strict anti-encroachment measures.Read more

The Tamil Nadu government will set up a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to manage co-working spaces under the Chief Minister's initiative, ensuring smooth operations independent of administrative changes. Modeled on entities like Chennai Metro Rail Limited, the SPV will replace the current CMDA-Greater Chennai Corporation arrangement to avoid coordination and funding delays. It will also focus on job facilitation, inviting recruitment agencies to conduct placement activities within centres and launching an online portal for job listings and candidate profiles. With only the Kolathur hub operational so far, 29 more centres are planned. All services will be free, connecting employers, startups, and job seekers.Read more