#WeeklyNewsRoundup: Delhi Govt To Construct 6,000 EWS Flats

The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board recently approved a proposal to construct 6,178 flats for economically weaker section (EWS) in Bhalaswa, Lajpat Nagar, Mangolpuri, Dev Nagar, and Ambedkar Nagar at a cost of Rs 886 crore. The board has also approved four new shelters for urban homeless under National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) at Dwarka, Geeta Colony, Rohini and Nangloi which will accommodate 72 families and 1,200 homeless people.

Industrial projects in the "non-polluting" category will not have to obtain the "consent" certificate under the air and water pollution control laws, a move intended to reduce red-tape and steam line the rollout of projects. The decision, likely to attract criticism for diluting green norms, looks to simplify procedures to fast-track real estate projects as well.

Revenue secretary Hasmukh Adhia said there is no point in subsidising the purchase of second property by those who have surplus funds. Refusing to rollback the proposal to cap net interest paid on a home loan to Rs 2 lakh per annum, he said the tax incentive for second home loan borrower was being "virtually misused."

The Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) will start functioning in Madhya Pradesh from May 1. Under the new law, the details of all commercial and residential projects will be available online.

The National consumer disputes redressal commission (NCDRC) has held that a builder cannot sell an already booked flat to a third party without issuing prior notice of cancellation of allotment to the initial buyer. The NCDRC bench was hearing a revision application filed by a real estate firm challenging the orders passed by the lower consumer courts directing handing over of the flat, along with Rs 12,000 compensation and costs, to the complainant and his three legal heirs.