Nivara Home Finance Limited has secured an equity investment of INR 245 crore in its Series B round, spearheaded by True North, with continued support from existing investor Baring PE India and the company's promoters, Sunil Rohokale and Monik Koticha. True North Fund VII is set to invest INR 170 crore, while Baring PE India and the promoters have committed INR 50 crore and INR 25 crore, respectively. The fresh capital is aimed at accelerating Nivara's expansion plans, enhancing its technology platform, widening its distribution network, and introducing innovative credit solutions in the affordable housing segment.Read more

German insurance major Allianz SE announced its decision to exit its Indian insurance joint ventures with the Bajaj Group. Nearly six weeks after the government permitted 100% FDI in insurance ventures, Allianz entered into binding agreements with Bajaj Finserv Ltd to sell its 26% stakes in Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company (BAGIC) and Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company (BALIC). The transaction, valued at INR 24,600 crore (EUR 2.6 billion), would be paid in tranches. Bajaj Finserv will subsequently hold 75.01% equity in each firm, while promoter entities Bajaj Holdings and Investment Ltd and Jamnalal Sons Pvt Ltd will acquire the remaining 24.99% equity. The deal also includes Bajaj Finserv's acquisition of Allianz's entire stake in Bajaj Allianz Financial Distributors Limited (BAFDL).Read more

Shapoorji Pallonji (SP) Group is in the process of raising USD 3.3 billion (approximately INR 28,600 crore) in what is being recognised as India's largest domestic currency private debt arrangement. A consortium of five private credit funds, including Davidson Kempner Capital Management, Cerberus Capital Management, and Ares Management Corp, is contributing 75% (around USD 2.5 billion) of the funding. The funding, expected to conclude by early April, will be utilised for refinancing existing debt secured against the promoters' 18.4% stake in Tata Sons. Evangelos Ventures, owned equally by SP Group chairman Shapoor Mistry and his nephews, is facilitating this financing. The rupee-denominated bonds will have a high-teens interest rate, extend over 3.5 years, and will be listed on the BSE.Read more

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation's Property Tax Department announced its decision to auction seized properties with pending property tax dues. The civic body has begun the process of appointing authorised government valuers to assess these properties. Citizens whose properties are under seizure action have been urged by Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailash Shinde to clear their outstanding tax liabilities immediately to avoid the auction of their assets. A public advertisement has been issued, and responses from 10 government-registered valuers have been received. The Corporation also encouraged citizens to benefit from the ongoing 'Abhay' scheme offering a penalty waiver for lump sum payments.Read more

The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has initiated a controversial move to recover INR 180 crore in unpaid property taxes from 77,886 flat owners by recording dues on their share certificates. This prevents defaulters from selling or transferring properties until dues are cleared. Additionally, PCMC has proposed barring defaulters from society elections. Housing federations and legal experts argue that the civic body lacks authority for such measures, calling it legally questionable. While PCMC maintains strict action is needed for compliance, opposition groups warn of potential legal challenges. The move could set a precedent if approved by cooperative housing authorities.Read more

The West Bengal Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation (WBIDFC) is re-auctioning a prime 17-acre plot in New Town, Kolkata, valued at over INR 800 crore. Located between Novotel and Axis Mall, the land offers 30 lakh sq. ft. of development potential, expected to generate over 25,000 jobs. The auction, initially stalled due to tender issues, is now being revised for better participation. Industry experts anticipate large-scale commercial projects, enhancing New Town's appeal as a business hub. Similar auctions in cities like Delhi and Mumbai have driven urban expansion, positioning this sale as a catalyst for Kolkata's real estate growth.Read more

The Karnataka government has proposed amendments to the BBMP Act, reducing the completion certificate fee for property owners in Bengaluru from up to 1% of a site's guidance value to just 0.1%. The move aims to provide financial relief and streamline approvals. Additionally, penalties for residential properties will be capped at two-thirds of BBMP fees to prevent excessive financial burdens. Alongside this, three key bills have been introduced: the Registration (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, which mandates registration for property-related power of attorney documents; the Karnataka Stamp (Amendment) Bill, which legalizes e-stamping and digital transactions; and the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, extending property tax provisions to unauthorized settlements and strengthening accountability for officials.Read more

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has recently revised India's growth forecast, projecting it to be 6.4% for FY26 from the earlier estimate of 6.9%. Growth for FY27 has also been trimmed to 6.6% from 6.8%. Despite the downgrade, India is expected to remain the fastest-growing major economy over the next two years. The OECD's outlook remains less optimistic compared to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), particularly concerning inflation projections and trade uncertainties, even as global economic resilience offers a mixed picture.Read more