16 Apr 2026

The Union government has announced a tax exemption on compensation received by landowners whose land is acquired for national highway projects, removing the liability of income tax and stamp duty on such transactions. The decision, reported in the past week, is expected to provide financial relief to affected individuals, particularly farmers and rural landholders. The move aligns with provisions under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, and forms part of broader efforts to ease land acquisition challenges in infrastructure development. By ensuring that compensation remains fully accessible to beneficiaries, the policy aims to reduce disputes, improve acquisition timelines, and support the execution of highway projects across the country.Read more

15 Apr 2026

Mindspace Business Parks REIT has acquired a 51% stake in a Chennai-based commercial asset for around INR 1,500 crore, valuing the property at approximately INR 3,000 crore. The investment involves Radial IT Park Pvt Ltd, which owns a 2.6 million sq ft office development in the city. The remaining 49% stake will be acquired by 360 One Real Assets Advantage Fund and its affiliates. The seller is a subsidiary of CapitaLand Investment. The acquisition forms part of Mindspace REIT's portfolio expansion strategy and strengthens its presence in Chennai's office market. The asset is positioned within a key commercial corridor and is backed by long-term leases and established occupiers.Read more

15 Apr 2026

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has approved a 1:1 bonus share issue, offering one additional share for every existing share held. The move will be funded by capitalising INR 6,325 crore from reserves and is aimed at improving stock liquidity and increasing investor participation. The development also comes as the government, which holds a 96.5% stake, looks at potential future stake sales under its disinvestment plans. LIC, which went public in 2022, continues to focus on strengthening its market presence through capital restructuring and enhanced accessibility for investors.Read more

15 Apr 2026

Gold ETFs saw strong inflows of INR 31,561 crore in the March 2026 quarter, nearly six times higher than last year, driven by global uncertainty and rising gold prices. Investor demand remained robust despite a moderation in monthly inflows after a strong start to the year. The category's assets under management surged to INR 1.71 lakh crore, with a sharp rise in investor participation. Gold ETFs continue to attract interest as they offer a simple, transparent and liquid way to invest in gold without physical ownership, making them a preferred option for diversification and risk management.Read more

15 Apr 2026

Bank of Baroda has partnered with Reliance Jio to expand mobile banking access for feature phone users through the bob World Lite app on JioPhone Prima 4G. Designed with a simple interface, low data usage and keypad navigation, the app enables secure access to essential banking services without a smartphone. Users can access UPI features such as money transfers, bill payments and recharges. The initiative supports financial inclusion by reaching underserved segments and aligns with government efforts to promote digital payments. It also allows both Bank of Baroda and other bank customers to access basic banking services easily.Read more

15 Apr 2026

Private equity investments in India's real estate sector increased by 66% year-on-year to USD 1.2 billion during the January-March quarter of 2026, according to a report by Savills India. Office assets accounted for the largest share at 41%, with key inflows concentrated in Gurugram and Pune, while the hospitality segment contributed 17%. Domestic investors led activity, contributing USD 817 million, or 66% of total inflows, amid relatively cautious participation from foreign capital. The data reflects a recovery in institutional investment activity following earlier subdued trends, with diversified asset classes attracting capital. The report highlights shifting investment patterns and the growing role of domestic capital in sustaining deal activity across India's real estate market.Read more

15 Apr 2026

The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) has introduced a 25% rebate on property tax for newly constructed residential buildings, aimed at encouraging fresh housing development and easing the financial burden on property owners. The decision, taken in the past week, applies to the annual rental value assessment, effectively reducing overall house tax liability for eligible properties. The measure forms part of a broader set of fiscal interventions by the civic body, which has recently revised tax frameworks and introduced targeted incentives across property categories. The move is expected to support new residential supply in the city while improving compliance and expanding the municipal tax base through structured incentives.Read more

Ghaziabad News Desk

15 Apr 2026

The Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (GMC) has approved a reduction of 35-40% in property tax rates after sustained protests by residents and intervention from the Uttar Pradesh government. The revised structure, cleared in the past week, lowers per square foot tax rates across categories and will come into effect shortly. The decision follows widespread opposition to earlier revisions that had significantly increased tax liabilities for property owners. Authorities have also revised the basis of tax calculation and introduced provisions to adjust excess payments made under previous rates. The move is expected to ease the financial burden on homeowners while maintaining municipal revenue through broader compliance and recalibrated valuation mechanisms.Read more

15 Apr 2026

The Ministry of Railways has approved 100 infrastructure projects for FY 2025-26 with a total investment of INR 1.53 lakh crore, marking a substantial increase in capital allocation and project scale compared to the previous year. The sanctioned works will collectively add over 6,000 km to India's railway network and include new lines, doubling, and multi-tracking initiatives. Key states such as Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh account for a significant share of the projects. The expansion aims to address congestion on high-density routes, improve passenger services, and enhance freight movement under broader logistics initiatives. The programme also places emphasis on extending connectivity to remote and tribal regions, while supporting industrial corridors and port-linked infrastructure across the country.Read more

15 Apr 2026

The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has recorded its highest-ever property tax collection of approximately INR 149.6 crore for the financial year 2025-26, surpassing its projected target and previous years performance. The achievement, reported in the past week, reflects improved compliance driven by field inspections, data verification and awareness campaigns. The civic body exceeded its target of around INR 112 crore, with collections rising steadily from INR 137 crore in the previous year. The increase has been attributed to targeted surveys across select wards, identification of unassessed properties and streamlined collection mechanisms. The development underscores the growing importance of property tax as a primary revenue source for urban local bodies, supporting infrastructure and civic service delivery.Read more