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Himachal's Urban Mess
Himachal Pradesh, with its pristine natural beauty, is seen as an ideal destination for a dream home by those living in metros and other big cities. Along with this, with the state making good progress on the road to development and prosperity, those living here are also on the lookout for better housing facilities and infrastructure.
Haphazard and unregulated construction activity and lack of proper parking space have hit the realty market in many towns of Himachal Pradesh
Tax Tips Realty Bytes
Ground Realty
EIH tie-up
Interior Scape
Officially Outstanding
Classic Opulence
Inside View
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Himachal's Urban Mess
Lack of planned colonies and the failure of the state government to get the Town and Country Planning norms implemented has lead to unorganised growth in the urban areas in Himachal. The urban areas or towns in the state are fast turning into an unwieldy mesh of housing complexes with narrow lanes and no parking space or basic amenities. Scores of vehicles parked along the main roads in major cities like Shimla and Dharamsala bear testimony to the unplanned growth in urban areas. People who have constructed houses or commercial complexes have encroached upon the open areas and parking has become a major hazard in most of the cities in the state. Parking space plays a major role in deciding the price of a property.
Satellites in limbo All major towns of state are at present plagued by unplanned growth. The steps taken in this regard by the government seem to lack conviction which affects prices of property. The Urban Development Authority of the state has failed to develop planned housing colonies in towns at a pace equivalent to the increase in population there. An ambitious project of the present government to develop satellite townships around major cities and towns of the state that was launched a couple of years back, too, has failed to take off. The present government had decided to develop satellite townships around Dharamsala, Mandi, Solan and Shimla. Lack of vision and proper planning seem to be the major roadblocks in this project. The idea behind developing satellite townships was to bring up planned habitations to cater to the needs of the ever-growing population of these towns.
Dharamsala In Dharamsala land near Gaggal airport was identified for developing a satellite township. The government had also considered a proposal to develop an urban estate on a tea garden, but the plan was dropped later. Some private developers are picking up small pieces of lands in the villages around Dharamsala and selling plots therein. But as these colonies don't have the necessary approvals and are in effect illegal, they will only add to the problem of the already cluttered town. The maximum passage that is allowed in many of such private colonies, is just 8 to 10 feet or even narrower, which is inadequate for the smooth movement of vehicles. As a result residents of such colonies have to park their cars on main roads or the adjoining roads. Even the office or commercial complexes coming up in and around the town are not adhering to the norms fixed by the Town and Country Planning Department. Most of the complex owners have not reserved any area for parking of vehicles and this leads to traffic chaos. In Dharamsala almost all villages around the town have been urbanised. Villages, including Khaniara, Dharamkot, Bhagsu and Dhari, are now virtually part of the main Dharamsala town, though on paper these have not been included in the urban category. But just one planned colony has been developed at Khaniara by the Urban Development Authority.
Palampur The story has a different angle in Palampur. Here the government has decided to include a few villages adjoining the main town into the local municipal committee. However, the villagers are opposing the move vehemently. They are maintaining that villages get much more privileges than towns. They get benefits of the Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) and water and electricity tariffs are lesser than those in the urban areas.
Una Realty growth in Una has been marred by the growth of illegal colonies. In one such case the investors and buyers were left high and dry when illegal colonies raised by private builders by flattening a hillock were inundated due to heavy rainfall recently. Now the people are asking the government to give them compensation. Illegal colonies in Una are being developed right under the nose of the controlling authorities. The state government has also failed to promote the private developers who can develop townships in the interior areas of the state for planned development. The private developers cannot take up ventures on their own in the state due to small land holdings and provisions of Section 118 of the Land Tenancy Act. The present unplanned development is not only putting a strain on the limited resources of the state, but is also damaging the environment as at many places government has had to develop roads and other infrastructure for just a few houses that have come up in remote and isolated places. While the sale and purchase of land and property will continue but for the realty sector really blossom in the state, the government will have to use either its own agencies for developing planned colonies or create a practical policy for encouraging private investment in the area for planned growth of the urban areas in the state.
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Price Index
BAKROTA BHUNTA BHUNTAR BAJAURA BAJAURA KHOPOLI KAIS VALLEY KULLU. NH-1 MANALI KANGRA CITY NEHRAN PUKHAR (District Kangra) PAPROLA SUNDER NAGAR (Mandi) UNA MEHATPUR (Una) Please note: Price may vary according to the availability of parking space, location, furnished and non-furnished units, and the “age” of residential units Source:Nirmal Infrastructures-Mohali E.mail: : nirmalinfrastructures@yahoo.com
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Tax Tips Please do specify the main differences between the Sections 10(13A/2A) and 80GG. Most of the employees who are residing in government accommodation file the IT Returns by leaving the HRA exemption column blank.
— A.K. Arora A. Section 10(13A) of the Income-Tax Act 1961 (the Act) is applicable in respect of house rent allowance granted to the employee by an employer. The same is exempt from tax subject to certain conditions. One of the conditions is that the employee has actually incurred expenditure towards the payment of rent in respect of the residential accommodation occupied by him. As against this, Section 80GG of the Act provides for deduction of the amount of house rent paid where an assessee (may not be an employee) is not in receipt of house rent allowance and does not own any residential accommodation at a place where the assessee performs the duties of his office or employment or carries on his business or profession.
Main distinctive features of Section 10(13A) and Section 80GG of the Act are as under Section 10(13A) of the Act The exemption is limited to the least of the following amounts: a) Actual amount of allowance received. b) Amount by which expenditure actually incurred in payment of rent towards the residential accommodation occupied by him exceeds one-tenth of the amount of salary due to an employee. c) (i) An amount equal to one half of the amount of salary due to employee in respect of the relevant period if the accommodation is situated in Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi or Madras. (ii) An amount equal to 2/5th of the aforesaid amount if the accommodation is situated at any other place. nThis exemption is available to employees who are in receipt of house rent allowance. Section 80GG of the Act The deduction is allowable if the following conditions are satisfied: a) Rent paid is in excess of 10% of the total income b) Rent paid is in respect of residential accommodation at a place where the assessee, his spouse, minor children or HUF of which he is a member do not own a residential accommodation. c) A declaration in Form No. 10BA is filed by the assessee. The deduction is limited to 25% of total income or Rs 2,000 p.m. whichever is less.
Get the builder to complete construction of the flat and hand over possession Get him to give me back all the money given to him with the interest I have paid.
— Rajiv A. I hope that an agreement with the builder was entered into at the time of purchasing the flat and the said agreement did specify the date of completion of the building in which the flat is situated. If that be so, you have a right to go to the court seeking a relief in the shape of specific performance of the said agreement. However, this would involve considerable time as there may be large number of pending cases in the court. It would, therefore, be advisable to approach the Consumer Forum also which has been very pro-active with regard to the delay by builders in handing over the possession of the flats. You can seek relief from the Consumer Forum with regard to the possession of the flat being handed over by a fixed date as also for award of a compensation for the delay in handing over the possession of the flat.
Am I a partner of this HUF property? If yes, then what legal process should I adopt to get my share?
— Kamlesh Rani A. Your queries are replied hereunder: You are one of the coparceners and have a share in the joint family property. You can seek a partition of such property through the intervention of the court.
Q. I have given general power of attorney to my brother in respect of my share in the ancestral immovable property. As a gesture of goodwill, I have not claimed the sale proceeds from the said property. My question is:
n Whether the long-term capital gain accruing from the sale of my ancestral property in question is taxable in my hand or my brother who has actually received the money. n If I withdraw/cancel my power of attorney, what would be my responsibility for the past transactions?
— Gaurav A. The long term-capital gain arising from the sale of property in respect of which the general power of attorney has been executed by you in favour of your brother would be taxable in your hands. The withdrawal of general power of attorney would enable you to prevent future actions in respect of the said property. It may not be possible to question the actions taken by your brother prior to the withdrawal of power of attorney, unless you can establish that a fraud had been committed by the power of attorney holder.
n Is it mandatory for me to file an IT Return declaring Rs 9 lakh as long-term capital gain accruing to me and half of bank interest, etc. n Can my son file IT Return declaring whole of the long-term capital gain amounting to Rs 18 lakh along with bank interest as his income and pay income tax thereon. As a matter of fact, my eldest son looks after me very well and I want that he should enjoy my share of the ancestral land.
— Rama Chand A. Your queries are replied hereunder: You will have to file an IT Return declaring the capital gain arising on the sale of your share of agricultural land. Your son will have to file the IT Return for his share of capital gains separately. The general power of attorney executed in favour of your son would have entitled him to execute sale deed for and on your behalf, but it does not take away your obligation to file the IT Return in respect of the income arising to you. n Your son can't file a return of income declaring capital gain of Rs 18 lakh along with bank interest earned by him. He will file return declaring capital gain of Rs 9 lakh (his share) plus the interest income earned by him. You could have gifted your share of agricultural land in case you wanted your son to enjoy the said share. In that case he would have filed the return declaring the capital gain arising on the sale of his share of land, including that gifted by you. The writer can be contacted at sc@scvasudeva.com
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Realty Bytes
Supertech Limited signed a contract with U.K. based architectural firm, Benoy Limited, for planning and architectural designing of a major mixed use masterplan for a 30, 00,000 sq ft site in Sector 94, Noida. Speaking on the occasion Graham Cartledge CBE, Chairman said “We are proud to be associated with Supertech New Project Comprising of retail, office space , a hotel and a Signature multi-storeyed tower, Benoy’s design vision is to offer Noida a world-class destination that will lead the urban renaissance in the region and continue Supertech’s exciting and innovative portfolios of development.” He added that, “Benoy started working in India in 2006. Over the past five years, ‘Benoy’ team has worked tirelessly to establish a reputation as one of the most recognized international architectural brands and a leading player in India.”
Godrej Properties Godrej Properties Limited (GPL), the real estate development arm of the Godrej Group, has entered into an agreement with Jet Airways Limited (Jet Airways) to develop the latter’s property, C-68, G Block, BandraKurla Complex (BKC), in Mumbai. GPL will develop approximately one million square feet of office building that will be completed in a three year period. GPL will take on the Rs 360 crore debt obligation Jet Airways has on the property, and will also pay Jet Airways Rs 135 crore to compensate them for expenses that have already been incurred. Additionally GPL has agreed to sell 161,460 sq ft of carpet area to Jet Airways at development cost. This space will be used as the state-of-the-art new headquarters for Jet Airways. Godrej Properties and Jet Airways will share the profits from the development in a 50:50 ratio. Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM), a leading architectural firm that has designed many outstanding developments across the world, including the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, has been signed on as the lead architect. The building is planned to be one of India’s leading commercial buildings. GPL has also signed a development agreement with Magic Info Solutions Pvt. Ltd. to develop a residential group housing project in Gurgaon. Situated in the upcoming area of Sector 104 in Gurgaon, the project will be spread over 22 acres and will have a total saleable area of approximately 2 million sq. ft. The location offers excellent connectivity and is close to the proposed 150 m wide Dwarka Expressway. The site is well connected to the Airport, Railway Station, NH8 and Gurgaon Central Business District. Ansal Properties sells 9.54 mn
sq ft for Rs 1,138cr Realty firm Ansal Properties and Infrastructure has sold 9.54 million sq ft of area for Rs 1,138 crore during the first four months of the current fiscal. During the entire 2010-11 fiscal, the company had sold 22.43 million sq ft for Rs 2,392.7 crore. “Total area sold in four months ended FY 2012 increased to 9.54 million sq ft, aggregating to total sale value of Rs 1,138.1 crore,” Ansal said in latest operational updates. The average realisation stood at Rs 1,433 per sq ft in July, 2011 as against Rs 1,404 a sq ft in the previous month. “Major sales booked in Phase I and Phase II of Sushant Golf City, Lucknow during the month (July),” the company said. Ansal’s had recently reported a nearly 44 per cent decline in consolidated net profit at Rs 21.74 crore for the quarter ended June 30 due to higher expenditure on construction. The company had posted a net profit of Rs 38.79 crore in the year-ago period. The total income, however, increased by 16.42 per cent to Rs 297.01 crore in the first quarter of this fiscal as against Rs 255.12 crore in the corresponding period of last fiscal. Ansal’s total expenditure grew to Rs 245.17 crore during the June quarter of 2011-12 fiscal from Rs 182.98 crore in the year-ago period. DSAs to become history The paradigm of home loan marketing is set for a change. The practice of using ordinary direct selling agents (DSAs) by home loan financiers will soon be history. National Housing Bank (NHB), the apex body for promoting and regulating specialised housing finance companies (HFC), is stressing on engaging certified mortgage counsellors to ensure that the customers get fair advice before finalising home loan deals. This is aimed at protecting the interest of scores of home loan borrowers and insulate them from frauds. The proposed system will allow borrowers to take informed decisions. With almost 25-30 per cent annual growth in the home loan market, the DSAs have gained prominence over the years. Almost all leading financiers engage them for marketing their products. — Agencies
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Ground Realty Nameplates The name plate of the house owner should obviously be at a prominent location on the front face of the left pillar of the main gate. Keep it clearly visible and readable. Let the letters be simple and bold. Don't use italics or show any love for art here. Keep a good colour contrast with the base. See that no hedge or tree or plant grows up in front of it. Ideally it should be read easily by a passerby while driving a car. Use fluorescent paint to write the letters. Otherwise, provide a night lamp over it for visibility at night. Secure the light well by providing an armoured glass cover. Numberplates Door bells A separate call bell switch for each floor should be provided near the name plate. The floor should be clearly mentioned on the press button itself or to its side. In fact, modular switch manufacturers should now come out with call bell switches showing the bell sign as well as GF, FF, SF etc on the press button itself. Let there be built in LED lights in the call bell buttons or over them for their easy location at night. Take care to save the switches from rain water by providing suitable shade over them. There are bell switches now available that have the push button provided on a recessed plate. A projected frame around the plate protects it from dripping water. Internal bell system: Create an internal bell system in your house. Provide a master bell board in the kitchen. Let it be connected to bells in different rooms. It will allow the lady of the house to simply press the button for a room to call a family member. Otherwise, a centrally located bell can be connected to the kitchen and number of bells can be decided for each member. Let the bell tone be different from the one from the main gate. This system has multiple benefits. Some guest has arrived in the drawing room and you want to call a family member upstairs. Simply press the bell. Some family member has overslept in his room and is going to be late for office or college. Again, simply press the bell for his room. Bell for the servant room: In case you have provided a servant room in your house, provide a bell in it too. However, let this bell be connected to the kitchen and the room of the head of the family. Avoid connecting it to all rooms. Otherwise, more than one member will be calling the boy from his/her room at the same time and the one not attended will be fuming unnecessarily. Emergency bell: Provide an emergency bell button in each room. A member may have a big headache or unable to get up or could have slipped. An intruder or burglar could be there in a room. In such moments, it is easiest to press a bell button to draw attention of family members. Of course mobiles and intercom are there but there is nothing more convenient and easier to press a button to raise an alarm and let others know that there is some trouble with you. Don't disturb bells: There are bell switches available now that are accompanied by a small light carrying the sign 'Please don't disturb' printed on the glass cover of light. The sign can be easily read whenever you switch the light on. Use it whenever you are lost in a job or having your afternoon siesta and don't want to be disturbed. (This column appears
fortnightly)
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Hospitality major East India Hotels, the flagship company of the over Rs.1,100 crore Oberoi Group, plans to tie up with the Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries to build and manage several star hotels and over 150 luxury apartments, according to a top official.
“We would most likely set up a new joint venture firm with Reliance Industries for developing a 250-room five or seven star hotel in an upscale Bangalore locality,” company chairman P.R.S. Oberoi said. Oberoi said the Rs 500-crore hotel will come up on 8.2 acres owned by his group within the next one-and-a-half years. The two companies would also jointly build 100 luxury apartments in Goa beach-front and another 60 in Bangalore for outright sale. The Goa venture would entail a total investment of Rs 600 crore. The Oberoi Group would provide all infrastructural facilities and manage the hotel and apartments, he said. In a move to aid cost efficiency in its future hotels, EIH would delve into realty projects. “The land prices are very high. So only hotel project will not be viable,” Oberoi said. The company has also decided to go for multi-use of land to reduce the project value. Dwelling on the company’s overseas expansion plans, Oberoi said other than coming up with 250-room hotels each in Dubai, Marrakesh (Morocco) and Casablanca with local partners, it was also eyeing star hotels in the Chinese cities of Beijing and Shanghai. The company was also setting up two hotels in the cyber city of Hyderabad, a new flight kitchen in New Delhi International Airport, besides two hotels in Oman and Abu Dhabi. It was also setting up a luxury forest lodge in Karnataka. In Eastern India, the company is scouting for suitable land and a partner for setting up two more hotels under the Oberoi and Trident brands by pumping in Rs 800 crore in the city’s north eastern fringes of Rajarhat. — IANS
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Interior Scape Monsoons also give sleepless nights to home owners as the humidity and dampness lead to sloppy looking wall papers and other interior finishes, and blistering of paint and loss of plaster. Damp walls encourage the growth of molds, which, with the high humidity, can lead to health problems for occupants. Floor and wall tiles are the perfect solution to combat this situation since these offer realistic durability in terms of material sustainability and ensure undamaged colour and texture. Market leaders Johnson and Johnson and Somany Ceramics Ltd, have an innovative range of anti-bacterial tiles to provide a hygienic solution to monsoon woes. These tiles are not only hygienic but also have ample of add on features that make them perfect for living spaces. “Germfree tiles have been developed by applying SilverNano technology that inhibits multiplication and growth of those bacteria and fungi which cause infection and odour. Johnson also incorporated a special silver-based compound into the glaze that inhibits the growth of bacteria. A specially developed anti-bacterial grout made of epoxy resin is also available to avoid the growth of bacteria in grouts. Besides anti-bacterial properties, GermFree tiles are acid/alkali resistant”, informs a H & R Johnson (India) spokesperson. According to Abhishek Somany, JMD, Somany Ceramics Ltd., “The anti bacterial tiles eliminate the risk of live microbial organisms in your space. This tile is an extremely important asset for maintaining the high levels of hygiene hence making a substantial contribution in creating a better atmosphere and a cleaner environment”. These tiles are ideal for various interior applications like homes, hotels, hospitals, departmental store, and other residential and commercial complexes. Explaining further on why these tiles are can be used for interior and exterior environments, Somany adds, “The material used to manufacture is ceramic but the composition in glaze is a bit different that inhibits the growth of bacteria”. For the problem of humidity smells caused by mold on walls, ceramic tiles provide the solution. Tiles with smooth surfaces make cleaning a quick and easy job hence keeping the house squeaky clean. Make your home germ resistant this monsoon by choosing anti bacterial tiles, available in plethora of designs and shades, you can choose the one which fits best to your desired space, be it indoor application or exteriors. Available in sizes of 300x600, these tiles are comfortably priced at a range of Rs 35 – 45 per sq ft, informed Somany. “H & R Johnson’s large format 16x16 size and rectification ensures less joints and provides more design area, thus adding to its aesthetics”, said the company spokesperson. — Compiled by Geetu Vaid
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Comfortable chairs in a variety of shapes and sizes promise to make work more than just a back-breaking routine. With companies like Steelcase, Godrej, Tangent leading the pack, new and innovative designs are launched regularly in the office furniture market. “India in the past always followed the conventional concepts and didn’t want to purchase readymade imported furniture be it office or home. Over the years readymade imported products have become a trend amongst all age groups. Readymade office furniture offers more innovative and sleek designs for your office and at good quality. We offer a wide range of trendy, ready-for-use office furniture at affordable prices to cater to the demand generated by this new trend ”, says Chintan Doshi, Director, Tangent - the furniture mall. Tangent recently launched its utility-based range of office desks and chairs in unconventional and sleek designs. The office furniture is available in MDF (Medium density fibreboard), Glass, Mild Steel, Veener, and hardwood like teak, ebony and Wenge. Steelcase, the global leader in office furniture industry, too has introduced a number of new concepts to cater to different work situations and needs. “Generation Y is the dominant force in shaping India and will have a dramatic global impact over the next 20 years. Our endeavour is be able to meet the growing needs of India’s next generation of workers, blending the perfect balance of design aesthetic and functionality. Steelcase continues to strengthen its strategy by developing more Gen-Y products to highlight the core concept of ‘you are unique, you are the future’,” said Uli Gwinner, President of Steelcase Asia Pacific. Steelcase’s i2i and cobi range includes furniture solutions designed to enhance collaboration, while the Manifesto range supports three-dimensional space management, to enable the creation of complete workplaces that facilitate individual and team work in a variety of settings. i2i has been designed as a solution to help workers solve increasingly complex problems with teams who are distributed across the globe. Awarded with Edison and NeoCon awards, i2i creates dynamic settings for distributed teams to view each other and co-create content simultaneously. Most videoconferencing environments are formal meeting spaces, with little emphasis on sharing and developing content. “In contrast, i2i environments encourage engagement, and allow access to and sharing of information by any meeting participant with the touch of a button”, adds Gwinner. “Compact and lightweight, cobi™ is seating for teams that helps people move freely and minimise fatigue. cobi™ dynamically supports a wide range of postures with only one manual adjustment for seat height. An intuitive, weight-activated mechanism provides support by automatically responding to the user’s movement. Its elastomeric top edge gives way and provides comfort, as opposed to resistance, when users drape an arm over the back of the chair”, he adds. With extensive research backing up the new designs, there sure is a lot happening in this segment.
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Imported from Arredo Classic Italy, Versailles collection has a whole range of bedroom and dining room furniture. The most distinguishing feature of this enthralling furniture range is the wooden frames that are redefined with silver and antique gold effects in elegant combination of tones. The lacquering with mirrored polyester on the elegantly decorated surfaces confer a touch of class. “The constant research of new finishes and materials confers class and distinction upon every element of the Versailles collection, while traditional workmanship and attention to detail are a guarantee of solidity and duration over time.” says Afzal Chandiwala, Director, Living in Style, Mumbai.
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Inside View The Ministry of Rural Development has posted ‘The Draft National Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) Bill, 2011’ on its website for public comments. According to the draft, R&R provisions will apply only when private firms buy land, equal to or more than 100 acres, on their own and if they approach the government for partial acquisition for public purpose. The association, which has more than 6,000 developers as members, said that the provisions of rehabilitation and resettlement to land owners for private land transactions is “unwarranted” and should be done away with. “The land cost will increase at least three times because of higher compensation, return of certain percentage of developed land to land owners and delay in land acquisition process,” CREDAI President Lalit Kumar Jain said. The draft bill is detrimental to urbanisation. The township development will become history if it is passed in the present form, he said, adding that township development would not be possible if the bill is passed in the present form. “No private land acquisition should be covered under the proposed Act. If this is covered, housing prices will go up multifold,” he said, adding that private transactions happen on mutual consent and at fair market value. In case of urban areas, the compensation amount would be not less than twice that of the market value determined, whereas in rural areas it would be not less than six times the original market value, according to the draft bill. R&R package also includes giving certain percentage of developed land back to landowners, housing and employment among others to the affected farmers. “In R&R benefits, the stipulation regarding giving 20 per cent of the developed land back to owner will make township project unviable for the middle-class buyer,” CREDAI said. The association spoke against social impact assessment (SIA), which has been made mandatory where area to be acquired is equal to or greater than 100 acres, saying that this provision would delay the projects. The association pointed out that the blanket ban on acquisition of multi-cropped land is “impractical”, especially in north India where all the land falls in this category. — PTI
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Himachal Pradesh, with its pristine natural beauty, is seen as an ideal destination for a dream home by those living in metros and other big cities. Along with this, with the state making good progress on the road to development and prosperity, those living here are also on the lookout for better housing facilities and infrastructure. Basically, these are the factors that drive the growth of the realty sector in any area as new projects are envisaged to cater to the demand and land prices appreciate steadily in accordance with the growth as more and more realty players enter the field with their products. But despite having all the ingredients of a perfectly steaming "realty" dish, all that Himachal's platter has is a bland and flat mishmash of haphazard growth with imbalance in price appreciation in different areas.
Q. I am a Defence civilian employee serving in the MES. My office is not claiming HRA (@ 30% of basic pay) as I am in occupation of government accommodation (unfurnished) at this station. I don't own a house at this work place/any other station none of my family members also own a residential accommodation. Furthermore, licence fee amounting to Rs 540 is deducted every month from my pay and allowances. Please clarify if HRA exemption under Section 80GG of ITR will be claimed. If not, then elucidate the matter illustratively citing the relevant Section of ITR.
Q. I live in Sydney, Australia. We purchased a flat in March 2008, in Gurgaon, which was under construction. The builder promised to complete the construction by May 2010, and we paid him a large advance and had also taken a home loan. The possession date was delayed and the builder promised to give complete construction by November 2010. But the work is not complete till now (August 2011). A lot of work is still pending in the building as it does not have any lifts, electricity, water etc. No doors or windows have been placed. The builder says he does not have enough funds and is waiting for the other flat owners to pay him. This is costing us a lot of time and money in paying interest. I have old parents who meet him regularly. What legal action can I take in order to:
Q. We are three married sisters and have two brothers. My father possessess ancestral agricultural land but now some land has fallen in a commercial area. Please let me know;
Q. I am a senior citizen. My husband expired in 2004 without making a Will. I and my four sons inherited equal share in the ancestral agricultural land in our village situated within municipal limits. Last year, I executed a power of attorney in favour of my eldest son in respect of my share in the ancestral agricultural land. In May, this year, my son sold his share of land along with mine for Rs 26 lakh. This amount was received by an account payee cheque in my son's name and was deposited in the savings bank account of my son. The net long-term capital gain for both of us comes to Rs 18 lakh after deducting Rs 8 lakh as the indexed cost of land, etc. My query is:
Name plates and call bells are important items for identification and communication, respectively, but generally scant attention is paid to these during the construction of a house. Here are certain key points that home builders should keep in mind while providing these elements:
The tips suggested for name plates are applicable to number plates also. Number plate may preferably be provided on the right side pillar of the main gate. Otherwise it may be located above the name on the name plate itself but in bolder letters. There is no necessity of displaying the sector number or name of the city. In cities, where sectors are not provided, colony's name can be mentioned, if required, as many colonies often exist in such a manner that one street belongs to one colony and just at the next bend, the colony name changes. 
The monsoon season is always welcome and most cherished, but it usually brings along serious hygiene challenges for homemakers. While some look forward to the relief from the summer heat, others can’t wait for it to pass because of the diseases and infections that come along.
Manufactured by using an anti bacterial technology which kills the germs, these tiles significantly cut some of the most polluting agents present in the air and also reduce the odor in the air. By laying the anti-bacterial tiles, one does not need to rely completely upon anti-germ cleaners. 
Anyone who spends a lot of time in office knows how the smallest things can affect one’s work space and productivity. Ergonomically designed and stylish furniture is an important part of the ‘persona’ of the new-age swish offices. The days of a simple office desk and chair are passé, as your desk is a statement of who you are not only in the overall hierarchy but as a person too. There is a lot of choice available in this segment whether one is looking for a desk that can accommodate all the essential components of an executive’s work routine be it computer or files.
Classically designed furniture having unmistakable technical and decorative innovations lends a feel of vintage with a touch of sumptuousness to your home décor. Versailles, the latest collection from Living In Style, will exemplify your panache for luxury.
The apex realty body CREDAI has said that land purchased by private companies should not be covered under the proposed land acquisition bill as this would lead to a sharp rise in housing prices because of jump in compensation to farmers.