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Center to Resolve Chandigarh’s Policy Issues

CHANDIGARH: Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan will convene a high-level meeting with Chandigarh’s top bureaucrats on Monday to address various longstanding issues that have puzzled the administration for nearly two decades. The meeting aims to tackle problems affecting thousands of residents, including those in urban areas, rehabilitation colonies, and Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) areas, as well as local businessmen and industrialists. The discussions will align with existing regulations and the Chandigarh Master Plan, 2031 (CMP-2031). Following this meeting, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will engage with UT officials on related topics, with the meeting expected to occur in New Delhi…

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Builders unhappy with Punjab property law changes, citing sales slowdown

BATHINDA: Promoters of housing projects in Punjab are expressing discontent over a recently issued notification under the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act (PAPRA), 1995. They argue that the new regulations will hinder development efforts, consequently affecting the state’s revenue from property transactions. This notification seeks to enhance transparency by prohibiting the partial acquisition of land for projects before development begins. It also imposes strict regulations regarding the collection of external development charges. Prospective buyers, in contrast to realtors, believe that these changes offer them greater choice and transparency, safeguarding them from being overcharged and decreasing price volatility in plot…

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Labour Shortage Stalls Visakhapatnam’s Construction Boom

Representative image VISAKHAPATNAM: Construction activity in Vizag is on the rise, both in public and private sectors. However, builders caution that this growth is being hampered by a shortage of skilled labor. Projects related to smart city upgrades, airport expansions, and housing are progressing, yet contractors report that the lack of trained workers is leading to delays and increased costs. Contractors are struggling to find experienced masons, electricians, and finishing workers. This shortage is extending project timelines and inflating labor costs, particularly impacting small and medium enterprises. National industry assessments pinpoint this lack of skilled labor as a significant challenge…

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Kolhapur: 60K land group numbers from 1,200 villages deemed NA

Representative AI image KOLHAPUR: The district administration’s revenue department has initiated a significant campaign, designating 60,000 group numbers (Gat numbers) across 1,200 villages as ‘deemed non-agricultural’ (NA). Guardian minister Prakash Abitkar stated on Saturday, “This is the first time such a decision has been implemented in Kolhapur, benefiting 3 lakh citizens directly.” This special campaign affects 12 talukas within the district, impacting villages in Hatkanangale (62), Shirol (55), Chandgad (147), Shahuwadi (143), Karveer (126), Panhala (119), Radhanagari (117), Bhudargad (116), Ajra (101), Gadhinglaj (87), Kagal (86), and Gaganbawda (41). This initiative aligns with the state government’s efforts to facilitate development…

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Critics: New Land Registry Rule Favors Big Builders in Rajasthan

Representative AI image JAIPUR: A new land registry rule introduced on Thursday by the urban development and housing (UDH) department has sparked significant backlash. Critics, including UDH officials and lawyers, claim that the regulation primarily favors large builders at the expense of smaller stakeholders and individual landowners. The controversial regulation requires that sale deeds cannot be registered without obtaining land conversion certificates, which change agricultural land into residential or industrial use. According to critics, for many small landowners—especially farmers—gaining these certificates from the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) or other government agencies is nearly impossible. A senior UDH official remarked, “This…

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Hyderabad’s HMDA earns ₹3,862 crore from record auctions

HYDERABAD: The land market in Hyderabad continues its upward trend, with the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) completing four auction phases in the Neopolis and Golden Mile layouts, fetching a total of ₹3,862 crore and indicating strong investor confidence in the city’s growth sectors. In the final phase held on Friday, COEUS Education Management Private Limited acquired a 1.98-acre plot in Golden Mile for ₹77.75 crore per acre—₹7 crore above the starting price of ₹70 crore per acre. Since November 24, the HMDA has raised ₹3,862.8 crore from these auctions, demonstrating substantial market interest in premium, strategically located land across…

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Delhi civic body suggests no property tax hike for FY27.

NEW DELHI: On Friday, Ashwani Kumar, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) commissioner, unveiled a budget estimate of Rs 16,531 crore for the fiscal year 2026-27, maintaining no increase in property tax rates or new taxes for the third consecutive year. The corporation highlighted a significant growth in both its taxpayer base and tax revenue this year. By September, the number of property taxpayers rose by 19.8% compared to last year, surpassing the 1.2 million mark. Tax collection saw a 30% increase, yielding Rs 2,270 crore from property tax by September, up from Rs 1,589 crore year-on-year. A major proposed…

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Gang and Builders Collude in ₹100 Crore Noida Loan Fraud

Representative AI image NOIDA: A gang was dismantled for colluding with builders to withdraw Rs 100 crore from banks through fraudulent loans. Eight members were arrested in connection with the scheme. Rajkumar Mishra, the additional superintendent of police at Noida STF, reported that the arrests stemmed from a tip-off by an HDFC Bank official who detected unusual loan activities. Investigations revealed that the gang forged property documents and identities to obtain home and personal loans from various banks. These fabricated identities were used to purchase property, with the funds laundered through a network of shell companies and accounts. The gang’s…

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Smartworld Developers Buys 6 Acres in Noida for ₹414 Crore

Representative AI image NEW DELHI: Gurugram-based Smartworld Developers has successfully acquired a 24,000 sq. meter (approximately six-acre) land parcel in Sector 98, Noida, through auction for ₹414 crore. The estimated development cost of the project is around ₹2,000 crore, with a projected revenue of approximately ₹3,000 crore. The company plans to develop a mixed-use project featuring branded residences, high-street retail, and serviced homes. The company reported ₹6,400 crore in sales for FY25, marking an impressive 60% year-on-year growth. They have delivered 6.5 million sq. ft. of space, with another 20 million sq. ft. currently under development. With assets under management…

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RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25%, Boosting Real Estate Growth

NEW DELHI: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cut the policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25%, indicating a shift towards monetary easing as inflation stabilizes at multi-year lows. This decision was made unanimously by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) during its 58th meeting held from December 3-5, 2025. With this rate cut, the standing deposit facility (SDF) rate is now at 5.00%, while the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate have been set to 5.50%. The MPC has also opted to maintain a neutral stance going forward. Growth Outlook Remains Strong India’s GDP…