A case has been registered against the former promoter of Cox & Kings and eight others for allegedly defrauding SBI Cards and Payment Services of INR 105 crore. The complaint, filed in Mumbai, alleges a conspiracy to create forged balance sheets between 2012 and 2019 to obtain corporate credit card facilities, leading to a loss for SBI Cards. The Cox & Kings brand was acquired by Singapore-based Wilson & Hughes in May 2024 through an NCLT process for approximately INR 12 crore, and the new owners state they are distinct from the former management and its past liabilities, focusing on a new beginning for the brand.Read more

The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has launched a weekly e-Khata Abhiyan every Friday to address delays in issuing e-Khatas. This initiative follows public frustration and concerns from real estate stakeholders regarding technical glitches. The MCC aims to issue at least 1 lakh e-Khatas by the end of the current fiscal year, from approximately 1.7 lakh properties. Public and real estate sectors remain critical of civic agencies' preparedness, citing unawareness of rule modifications and server issues among officials, which has affected property transactions.Read more

The Ansal Group is facing a total of 235 FIRs in Lucknow for alleged fraud. Two additional FIRs have been lodged, concerning allegations of individuals being cheated of INR 13.60 lakh after being promised flats and plots that were never delivered. The complaints highlight long-standing issues, with one case from 2015 where a buyer never received allotment. Investigations are ongoing, underscoring persistent concerns over property fraud and delayed projects in Uttar Pradesh's real estate sector.Read more

Contractors working on Maharashtra government projects are protesting delayed payments totaling INR 89,000 crore, pending for over a year. Represented by the Mahasangh, Builders Association of India, and Maharashtra State Engineers Forum, they appealed to over 30 district collectors for urgent dues clearance. The unpaid amounts cover work like roads, building repairs, and relief projects. Milind Bhosale, president of the Contractors Mahasangh, said only 5% of payments were released by FY24-end, despite a surge in sanctioned projects. The delay is affecting over 5 lakh contractors, impacting supplier payments, employment, and state economic growth. Protestors are questioning the state's fiscal planning amid mounting distress.Read more

Lenders of Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL) have rejected a resolution plan submitted by Jaypee Infratech, now owned by Suraksha Group, due to late submission and lack of earnest money. JAL, undergoing insolvency since June 2024 with INR 57,185 crore in claims, received resolution plans from five other bidders-Adani, Vedanta, Dalmia Bharat Cement, Jindal Power, and PNC Infratech. The Committee of Creditors declined Jaypee Infratech's request to reconsider its bid. Some of the submitted plans are conditional, tied to pending legal matters. JAL owns major real estate, hotel, and cement assets in NCR, MP, and UP. NARCL is the largest claimant after acquiring JAL's debt from SBI-led lenders.Read more

Faridabad authorities have intensified efforts to clear illegal constructions from forest land in the Aravalli region, following a Supreme Court directive. In a recent operation, 10 farmhouses and five structures were demolished in the Anand Van-Aravalli belt. Of 730 PLPA-notified forest patches, 85 have been cleared so far. The crackdown includes areas like Anangpur and Mewla Maharajpur, where over 6,800 illegal buildings were identified via drone surveys. Violations range from homes to banquet halls, many harming water recharge zones and biodiversity. Backed by satellite monitoring, the state now aims for systematic enforcement after years of delay, under pressure from the court-appointed Central Empowered Committee.Read more

Ghaziabad administration has put its foot down on water conservation. Housing societies that haven't installed rainwater harvesting systems are now staring at fines of up to INR 300,000. This intensified action follows a National Green Tribunal order and growing concerns over groundwater depletion. Over 70% of groundwater sources in the district are already critically overexploited. The city's Municipal Corporation has started serving notices, with enforcement expected to expand across wards in phases. Authorities stress that compliance is not optional rainwater harvesting is now a must-have, not a good-to-have.Read more

The Bombay High Court has demanded that the BMC clarify its plans for buildings in Mumbai that lack a fire No-Objection Certificate (NOC). During a recent hearing, the court questioned if the BMC's inaction implies approval of unsafe conditions, citing the 34-storey Wellingdon View building in Tardeo as an example. This building has 50 of 62 flats occupied since 2008 with only a partial occupation certificate and no fire NOC. The court emphasizes that the absence of a fire NOC cannot be regularized and will not permit any illegality, setting a precedent for fire safety enforcement across Mumbai's high-rises.Read more

In a focused effort to support the unorganized sector, over 12,000 construction workers in Kodagu district in Karnataka have now been registered with the state's Construction Workers Welfare Board. This registration grants them access to a wide range of government-backed benefits, including financial assistance for children's education, medical treatments, pensions, maternity care, disability support, and funeral expenses. Marriage grants and aid for preschool nutrition are also available. The district's labour department is pushing for clean, genuine enrolment especially after earlier state-wide concerns around fraudulent claims and underutilized welfare funds. The initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure construction workers receive the entitlements they're due.Read more

Madhya Pradesh's chief minister has directed officials to prepare an action plan for expanding affordable housing with a focus on socio-economic needs to curb slum growth. He emphasized green spaces in all housing projects and enforcement against illegal developments near Bhopal's Upper Lake. Key plans include engaging top builders, launching a proposed "Namo Train" intra-city rail, and prioritizing homes for women under the Ladli Behnas scheme. Other initiatives include modern laundry services for self-help groups, extending the Deendayal Rasoi Yojana, and converting reserved land into "Nagar Vans." An INR 2,800 crore plan for developing religious towns like Chitrakoot is also in progress, alongside efforts to boost housing density.Read more