PNT Reporter

16 May 2023

The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has disconnected power to 16,413 defaulting consumers in Pune, who failed to clear three months' worth of electricity bills. The MSEDCL is also processing disconnections for another 71,098 customers with unpaid dues. The crackdown, which includes commercial, industrial, and domestic consumers, is part of a special drive to recover long-overdue payments. Defaulters have been warned of strict action under the Indian Electricity Act 2003 if they resort to unauthorized power sourcing.Read more

PNT Reporter

16 May 2023

In an effort to address the problem of stalled real estate projects, Forum for People's Collective Efforts (FPCE) President Abhay Upadhyay has suggested lifetime bans for the responsible developers. Proposing nationwide audits to identify such projects, Upadhyay recommends removing the original promoters from their roles and conducting forensic audits to trace fund diversions. The suggestions, aimed at safeguarding homebuyers' interests, were presented to Amitabh Kant, Chairman of the Committee on Stalled Projects. The issue remains particularly severe in Delhi-NCR, one of India's largest property markets.Read more

PNT Reporter

15 May 2023

The government is reportedly planning to introduce a special carve-out within the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) to exempt homebuyers who occupy a house without completing the necessary paperwork from being considered part of a builder's inventory. This would prevent a situation where a homeowner who has taken possession of the property and has been living there for years, faces questions about their eligibility for the full value of the house, while other creditors take a significant cut as part of debt resolution of the builder. The proposed change would benefit consumers, but the process may get complex.Read more

PNT Reporter

15 May 2023

Kottayam district in Kerala is witnessing a surge in vacant NRI-owned mansions due to an increasing trend of overseas migration. The once-thriving region, flush with NRI investments, now hosts nearly 100 such deserted properties up for sale. The trend, initially led by the Knanaya Catholic community, has spread across other local communities, causing a significant increase in unoccupied homes. Local businesses, schools, and societal structures are affected, leading to calls for government intervention to understand and address this mass migration phenomenon.Read more

PNT Reporter

15 May 2023

The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) is set to launch criminal proceedings against apartment complexes in Padur, near the Muttukadu backwaters, for severe environmental transgressions. The directive follows a complaint lodged with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) by a local resident, highlighting improper waste disposal in this ecologically sensitive region. In response, the apartment owners have been instructed to pay a penalty of 81.9 lakh for environmental damage. The case highlights the critical need for effective waste management and strict adherence to environmental regulations in rapidly urbanizing areas.Read more

PNT Reporter

15 May 2023

The Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) has begun a series of unexpected audits of commercial buildings, penalizing owners unlawfully using basements for business operations. The inspections, set to continue over the coming weeks, were initiated after three stores were found violating regulations. These actions follow a directive from the Jharkhand High Court, emphasizing the enforcement of municipal rules and building codes. Owners have been instructed to clear out the parking spaces within a week, with the JNAC set to enforce penalties for non-compliance.Read more

15 May 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate over 42,000 houses in Gujarat under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), costing 1,946 crore. The event, dubbed 'Amrut Awas Utsav', will take place at Gandhinagar's Mahatma Mandir. The PM will also facilitate the housewarming ceremony for nearly 19,000 homes and lay the foundation stone for more than 4,000 houses. Additionally, a short film highlighting PMAY's impact will be screened during the event.Read more

PNT Reporter

12 May 2023

The Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) revealed a 0.55% to 28.4% price increase for five Bopal plots in just two years. Bopal's strategic location and improved infrastructure have contributed to its real estate boom. AUDA's recent evaluation of 17 plots, including the Bopal properties, resulted in a combined value of INR 1,238.35 crore. The new jantri rates, which have doubled, may further accelerate property value growth. Bopal's rapid development is attracting real estate investors and developers, making it a key player in Ahmedabad's thriving real estate market.Read more

PNT Reporter

12 May 2023

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has fully digitized its planning and approval processes, aiming to streamline operations and stimulate the city's real estate sector. Since the digital transition last June, 330 online planning permissions have been issued, indicating improved efficiency. The move has been welcomed by industry professionals, who anticipate quicker construction and approval processes, alongside enhanced transparency for home buyers.Read more

PNT Reporter

12 May 2023

Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) plans to extend its rainwater harvesting initiatives to an additional 100,000 buildings this year, following promising results from last year's efforts. The plan is expected to increase groundwater levels and aid in water conservation. While no definitive scientific data exists yet, the trends suggest a positive correlation between rainwater harvesting and groundwater replenishment. The initiative is supported by legislative measures, making such systems mandatory in Indore, emphasizing the city's commitment to sustainable water management.Read more