Write at Apartment-Bangalore.com

Archive for the ‘News’ Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

It is impossible to solve problems overnight

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

“It is impossible to solve problems overnight. We have more than six lakh connections and lines that are more than 30 years old. Water supply in Bangalore is much better than in other metropolitan cities. We are doing our best to efficiently manage the available resources and infrastructure. I will answer the questions after receiving complaints from corporators.” – Said BWSSB chairman P B Ramamurthy.

After the conclusion of the BBMP council meeting to discuss the water crisis in the city, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board (BWSSB) chairman P B Ramamurthy said that the board has been working on finding solutions to all problems.


Tags: , , , ,
Posted in News | No Comments »

Rainwater Harvesting Deadline Extended and No Tariff Hike

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Rainwater Harvesting is mandatory and May 27 was deadline to compulsorily fix rainwater harvesting in your house. All houses measuring over 60×40 ft were told to compulsorily install the equipment to save rainwater. The BWSSB has extended deadline of Rainwater Harvesting  by two months. The decision to extend the deadline for rainwater harvesting came after there were demands from residents to give them some more time to install the system.

BWSSB has postponed the move to hike the water tariff only after monsoon sets in. Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) in-charge minister Katta Subramanya Naidu said: “With the city facing shortage of water, we have postponed the move to hike the water tariff. We are now looking at implementing the hike only after monsoon sets in. After summer, you can expect hike in water tariff.’’

Stating that harvesting rainwater would be the best solution to mitigate water shortage in Bangalore, Katta said that recycled rainwater would be supplied to the city. To implement this plan, BWSSB plans to create six artificial lakes — two in Vrushabavathi Valley, two in Bellandur valley, one in Anekal and one in Hoskote. “Each lake will be developed in 1,300 acres. The estimated cost for the project is Rs 4,500 crore. Besides, the existing 135 lakes will also be used for this. Rainwater will be collected in the lakes and supplied to the city,” he said.

Source: Times of India


Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in News | No Comments »

BBMP issued notices for defacing the walls of the city

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) issued notices to 20 film producers and distributors for defacing the walls of the city, especially in Gandhinagar. They were also asked to pay Rs 500 as penalty for each violation. “It’s the responsibility of the BBMP to remove banners and hoardings,’’ said K Manju, a film producer who paid the fine for defacing walls.

Archana, Assistant Commissioner (East), BBMP, said no one had the right to put up hoardings and banners without the permission of the BBMP.  “I had sent officials to remove such hoarding near Geo Hotel, but they returned after failing to find them,’’ she said. “I will send them on Tuesday again.”

A few months ago, officials of the BBMP slogged to issue notices to film producers and distributors for putting up movie posters and hoardings at unauthorised places. The BBMP issued notices to 20 film producers and distributors, especially in Gandhinagar for putting up movie posters and hoardings at unauthorized places and defacing the walls of the city.

But the BBMP officials have failed to apply the same measures against corporators. Many corporators were newcomers and were not aware of the procedure of taking permission from the BBMP to put up hoardings. “I am aware that many corporators and their supporters were putting up banners to thank voters for electing them. There cannot be a separate rule for corporators.  I, therefore, urge the BBMP officials to remove all banners and hoardings.” Mayor S K Nataraj said

“I will advise all the corporators to remove such banners during the forthcoming training program that is scheduled to be held soon.”  He said the program will also create an awareness among the corporators on how to keep the city clean.

  • Source: expressbuzz.com


Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in News | No Comments »

Green builder BCIL won ‘Realty Plus Excellence Award 2010′

Monday, May 10th, 2010

Green builder BCIL has won the ‘Realty Plus Excellence Award 2010′ for its premier project T-Zed Homes.BCIL T-Zed has won six awards from five countries in the last three years. Chandrashekar Hariharan, CEO, BCIL, received the award from Hooda, MP, at the Realty Plus Awards function held in New Delhi.

BCIL has won the ‘Realty Plus Excellence Award 2010′ for its premier project T-Zed Homes for demonstrating pioneering leadership values in the area of sustainable architecture and for marketing of green homes with high standards of luxury.The Realty Plus awards recognize individuals, organizations and projects that have created and delivered new benchmarks for excellence in the Indian real estate industry. The awards are given across various categories covering, residential, commercial and retail space. The “environment-friendly project of the year” title was conferred on BCIL for demonstrating excellence in developing holistically green property.

Mr. Chandrashekar Hariharan said, “It only reminds us all at BCIL that we have so many more new benchmarks to set and leadership initiatives to demonstrate for the building industry.” Last year, T-Zed became the first Completed Residential Apartment in the World to receive the LEED Platinum Rating, the highest rating for green buildings.The uniqueness of the property includes features like India’s first centrally air-conditioned (with no CFC and HCFC) residential campus and a campus which has no water supply connection from the outside.

Source: The Hindu


Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in News | 1 Comment »

Reduction in Stamp duty help Common Man

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

The State Budget has extended some concessions in the form of reduction in stamp duty charges. The stamp duty on sale agreements of immovable property (without delivery of property) has been reduced to 0.1 per cent of sale value, subject to a minimum of Rs. 500 and maximum of Rs. 20,000.The stamp duty on DTD (Deposit of Title Deeds, executed at the time of taking home loan or loan against property), has been reduced to 0.1 per cent of loan amount subject a minimum of Rs. 500 and a maximum of Rs. 50,000.

For a sale agreement to buy a house for a consideration of Rs. 50 lakh, the stamp duty last year was Rs. 12,500, which will now get reduced to Rs. 5,000. If you had taken a home loan of Rs. 40 lakh in the last year, the stamp duty on DTD would have been Rs. 10,000, which will now get reduced to Rs. 4,000.

The budget has rationalized stamp duty payable on leasing out property. The stamp duty payable for a residential property leased out for less than one year, the stamp duty payable is 0.5 per cent of annual rent and advance (deposit) taken, subject to a maximum of Rs. 500 only. If the property let out is commercial or industrial, the stamp duty payable would be 0.5 per cent of annual rent plus money advanced, without any maximum limit.

The stamp duty for lease period has been now reduced to one per cent for lease period from one year to 10 years. Further, stamp duty applicable on lease period of 10-30 years has been reduced to two per cent for lease period of 10-20 years and three per cent for lease period of 20-30 years.

The builders and developers will also benefit from the budget as stamp duty on sale agreement (joint development) has been rationalized to one per cent of market value with a maximum of Rs. 1.5 lakh. Similarly, stamp duty payable on Power of Attorney (given for developing/construction), has been rationalized to one per cent of market value, subject to a maximum of Rs. 1.5 lakh.

The State Government has been following the stamp duty rates as recommended in the National Habitat Policy in order to get various benefits available under JNNURM (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission). Hence one can expect the stamp duty charges on registration of immovable property to get reduced from the present six per cent to five per cent in the next budget (2011-12).


Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in News | 2 Comments »

BBMP property tax deadline extend till May 30

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Friday was last date for property owners for availing 5% rebate on payment of property tax. Bringing relief to Bangalore’s property owners, BBMP has decided to extend the 5% rebate on payment of property tax by a month. BBMP commissioner Bharat Lal Meena said the palike had written to the government seeking an extension.

The property owners who want to avail a rebate of five percent on property tax can pay property tax 2010-11 in full on or before May 30. The deadline for the first half yearly payment without fine was May 30,BBMP extended to June 30.

BBMP commissioner Bharat Lal Meena said the palike had written to the government seeking an extension. Mayor Nataraj ruled out the opposition demand for a two-month extension.

Property owners can pay the 2010-11 half-yearly tax without fine up to June 30. Tax may be paid at all the BangaloreOne centres and at BBMP help centres.

Extended Deadline

  • May 30, 2010: Last date for 5% rebate if paid in full
  • June 30, 2010: Full payment or firsthalf installment of property tax 2010-11 without penalty

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in News | No Comments »

Last few days of the rebate period, there’s good response across the city

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

According to source, there is a good response across the city from property taxpayers for paying property tax in full for 2010-11 and avail 5 per cent rebate on property tax. “The online payment system had some problems due to a problem with the bank server. The staff shortage was only on the first two days of census work as officials had to guide enumerators in some cases. But, it’s all sorted out.” says BBMP officials.

On Monday, at least 2,000 property tax transactions were made at 64 Bangalore-One centres and 1,800 people paid this tax online. BBMP officials said the collection for this block period could cross Rs 150 crore and include 2 lakh properties by April 30.Anticipating the rush, tax counters remained open even on Sunday.

However, complaints continued to pour in. Some taxpayers complained that the authorities insisted on new forms be filled with application form numbers of the last two block periods (2008 -09 and 2009-10) along with the previous receipt numbers.

“When it is computerised and a property register is available, why is this needed? If BBMP still wants the numbers, a database must be made available at collection centres or BBMP should have a helpline to provide required information to citizens, especially those who are not computer savvy and the urban poor,’’ said a resident of Jayanagar.

A resident of Kalyan Nagar complained how she had to make repeated visits to the help centre to pay the tax. Finally, she decided to pay it at the BangaloreOne centre in her area. Residents in some parts of Jayanagar also complained of no staff at a few help centres.

Collection timings not properly displayed at centres, No clear information about tax collection at BangaloreOne centres in some areas,problem with the server for online payment and not enough application forms at some help centres are some common complaints by taxpayers.

Penalties

For those who fail to pay property tax of earlier period for 2008-09 or 2009-10 or both, penalty calculated at 2% per month
Penalty will be calculated @ 2% per month from June 1, 2010 for those who fail to pay first installment
penalty @ 2% will commence from December 1, 2010 till date of payment for those who fail to pay second installment

Tax Calendar

  • April 30, 2010: 5% rebate if paid in full
  • May 30, 2010: Full payment or firsthalf installment without penalty
  • November 29, 2010: Second halfyear tax without penalty
  • penalty @ 2% will calculated  till date of payment for defaulters

Source: Times of India


Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in News | No Comments »

7 days left for availing rebate on property tax

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

BBMP property tax for the new financial year 2010-11 has already begun from April 1st 2010. The property owners who want to avail a rebate of five percent on property tax need to file and pay property tax 2010-11 in full on or before April 30. Property owners can fill up the form online and make an online payment or download the form, print it, and submit it at the nearest ARO office on the same day.

There are two different forms to be filled up – Form IV (white form) - in case of no change in usage or built-up area from the previous year. If there is any change in relation to these clauses, then the property owner should fill up Form V (blue form). If tax payment has not been made for the previous two financial years, then property owners cannot file their property tax for current year until they pay previous year’s property tax. For filing property tax 2009-10 and 2010-11, property owners should have the application number for tax paid for the year 2008-09.

For owners making the payment in two half yearly installments, two separate forms have to be filled up for each period. The deadline for the first half yearly payment is May 30, 2010. Any details that are missing or have been entered wrongly can be corrected and updated by contacting the nearest ARO office. Any problems with regard to the payment or receipt generation can also be addressed to bbmpsas@bbmp.gov.in. You can also call the numbers – 22247627, 22133029. Online payment can be made using debit and credit cards. The Card payments can be made without any transaction charges.

  • BBMP Helpline – 22247627, 22133029
  • Address problem regarding property tax to bbmpsas@bbmp.gov.in
  • Last date for availing a rebate of five percent on property tax is April 30, 2010
  • Last date for the first half yearly payment is May 30
  • Property tax for current year cannot be filed until payment of previous year’s property tax
  • Online payment can be made using debit and credit cards.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in News | 1 Comment »

Entire Bangalore will see dry taps till Saturday

Friday, April 16th, 2010

Entire Bangalore will see dry taps till Saturday afternoon, says the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). By Wednesday evening, the water supply from the Cauvery IV stage I phase was completely affected as a portion of the canal in Handihalla Syphon breached and a major repair work had to be taken up. By evening, the breach had further extended to almost 20 feet. Even the temporary relief measures did not last long. By evening, all valves had to be closed at the Shivanekat and the canal had to be dried up for the MEG task force to repair it.

Major parts of West, East and some parts of South and South-East Bangalore did not get their usual water stock on Thursday. The main areas being Indiranagar, HAL 1st and 2nd stage, K R Puram, Rajajinagar, J P Nagar, Bapujinagar, Domlur, Johnson Market, Nandini layout and Magadi Road.

“The I phase of Cauvery IV stage has already been stopped. All the other phases__I, II and III __will also be stopped by 2 am on Friday. So, there will be no water to most parts of Bangalore till Saturday,” a senior BWSSB official explained.

Source: Times of India


Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Bangalore, News | No Comments »

Home buyers need not worry about being levied a service tax

Monday, April 12th, 2010

Local authorities in some states do not issue completion certificates while others take many years to issue one. The budget for 2010-11 has proposed Service tax if payment is made before the completion of construction. If Home buyers and property developers cannot procure a completion certificate from the local authority they need not worry about being levied a service tax. The government could allow some independent authority to certify that the property is complete.

“We are examining the issue and will see if a similar certificate from an outside agency can suffice,” said a finance ministry official.The service tax will be levied only on 33% of the base price of a flat sold at construction stage. Charges such as development fee, parking fee and premium location usually paid at the time of completion of construction will also be included in the base price. The new rule will come into effect when Parliament approves the budget.

Home buyers and property developers need not worry, if they cannot procure a completion certificate.The finance ministry may admit a certificate from an architect or builders association as a sufficient proof of completion. Sale of fully completed houses will be exempt from the tax if a completion certificate from a local authority is provided.

Non-availability of completion certificate can increase the cost of a property as the 3.3% service tax would be significant, taking the tax element to nearly 10% after including the stamp duty.Property developers had a mixed response to the proposal. Rajeev Talwar, managing director of DLF, the country’s largest developer, felt the flexibility could be abused. However, an executive of Delhi-based developer Ansal API appreciated the government’s decision. “If the government takes the decision to outsource the whole process to an accredited agency, it will take the pressure off the realty firms.”

Reference:

The Economic Times

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in News | No Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »