03 Sep 2025

BBMP has sent electronic demand notices to over 2.75 lakh Bengaluru property owners for unpaid dues exceeding INR 786 crore. The notices were distributed zone-wise, with Mahadevapura recording the highest number of defaulters. Property owners have been instructed to pay or appeal through the BBMP portal, while defaulters face the risk of property attachment and distress sale. The civic body collected INR 4,604 crore last fiscal year, short of its INR 5,210 crore target. Past digital initiatives such as e-khata revealed under-reporting worth hundreds of crores. Recent reminders, restrictions on transactions, and citizen complaints over inflated notices were also part of the drive.Read more

03 Sep 2025

A recent SBI Research report indicates that states are likely to remain net gainers even after the proposed GST rate rationalisation. The move, which shifts the current four-tier GST structure to a two-tier system of 5% and 18%, with select items taxed at 40%, may initially cause a 3-4% short-term dip in monthly collections. However, evidence from previous rate rationalisations in 2018 and 2019 shows revenues rebound within months. With about 70% of total GST revenues ultimately flowing to states, they are expected to receive over INR 14.1 lakh crore in FY26, including SGST and devolution.Read more

03 Sep 2025

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi's (MCD) Suniyo property tax amnesty scheme has registered a remarkable rise in collections and taxpayer participation within three months of its launch. Generating INR 304 crore, the scheme has surpassed the figures achieved under the earlier Samriddhi initiative by more than three-and-a-half times. Authorities reported a sharp increase in the number of taxpayers, with over one lakh participants contributing, driven largely by improved awareness campaigns and smoother digital payment systems.Read more

01 Sep 2025

The Uttar Pradesh government has expanded its stamp duty relief policy to include ex-servicemen and persons with disabilities, joining women who were already eligible. This move offers a 1% rebate on stamp duty, capped at INR 1 lakh, for properties valued up to INR 1 crore. The state is also introducing mandatory e-payments for fees above INR 20,000, Aadhaar authentication for identity verification, and a single-window e-registration system for development authority allottees. Digitization of historical deeds and CCTV installation at sub-registrar offices are also being strengthened to improve transparency.Read more

01 Sep 2025

The Think Change Forum has called for GST 2.0 to simplify India's tax structure by adopting only two slabs 5 per cent and 18 per cent with the peak rate capped at 18 per cent. The report argues that a 40 per cent slab would create scope for gradual expansion, undermining simplification. It recommends transparency in additional cesses, eliminating anomalies like inverted duty structures, and avoiding hidden revenue measures. The GST Council is set to discuss these reforms, which aim to enhance compliance, reduce distortions, and support India's economic growth while moving toward a single nationwide tax rate.Read more

01 Sep 2025

The Karnataka government has revised its registration fee structure, doubling charges for certain documents such as Joint Development Agreements and General Power of Attorney. The rate has increased from INR 10 to INR 20 for every INR 1,000 value, while fixed charges of INR 1 have been raised to INR 2. Applicants who had already booked slots or paid fees are required to pay the difference online. The move, aimed at improving revenue collection, is expected to bring in INR 3,000 crore, though it has drawn criticism for adding pressure on homebuyers.Read more

01 Sep 2025

India is holding detailed discussions with Australia to construct one million homes, a project estimated at USD 500 billion. The proposal includes sending Indian workers to Australia, where they would be trained to meet local construction standards. To support financing, India has also approached the UAE for partnership. The initiative comes as Australia faces housing supply shortages and rising prices, which were key issues in its recent elections. Alongside this, India is advancing multiple trade deals with countries including Oman, New Zealand, the European Union, Qatar, Chile, Peru, and South Africa, while addressing US tariff challenges.Read more

01 Sep 2025

India's economy registered a 7.8 per cent expansion in the April-June quarter, the fastest in five quarters, supported by agriculture and services including trade, hotels, finance, and real estate. Realtors' associations CREDAI and NAREDCO expressed optimism that the robust growth would strengthen consumer and investor sentiment, stimulating demand for residential and commercial properties. Both bodies also emphasised that upcoming GST reforms and the festive season would add further momentum to the property market.Read more

01 Sep 2025

A NAREDCO-Knight Frank report highlighted that affordable housing supply across India's eight largest cities has fallen to almost one-third of demand in the first half of 2025. Homes priced up to INR 50 lakh are witnessing strong sales but limited new launches, raising concerns over the widening housing deficit. Industry leaders noted that while demand-side measures have been effective, urgent supply-side reforms are required to address the shortfall.Read more

01 Sep 2025

India's urban infrastructure sector has seen investments worth INR 30 lakh crore over the past decade, with an additional INR 10 lakh crore expected in the next four years, according to the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary. He emphasised the need for the real estate industry to align projects with infrastructure growth and urged proactive participation in regulatory compliance and urban development. He also highlighted the importance of private sector contribution in enhancing efficiency of urban services.Read more