Real Estate developers across the country have termed the Union Budget 2011-12 as a tie cricket match which can’t be termed as won or lost. However, they are all unanimous that it is not a game changer budget for the sector.
It would seem that the Union Budget 2011 pointedly ignored the larger issues affecting the Indian real estate sector at this sensitive stage of revival and growth.
The unfulfilled demand of more than 24 million houses in the country needs large scale impetus to achieve desired results. Allowing deduction for investment into affordable housing is a welcome step and will surely boost morale of housing industry and will accelerate investments in affordable housing.
The limit of funds to be invested by foreign investors in the Indian infrastructure sector has been raised with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee also allowing mutual funds to accept foreign funds in the national budget presented on Monday.
Realty firm Ansal API is looking at a fund infusion of about Rs 500 crore from a host of private equity investors, including IL&FS Investment Managers and Red Fort Capital, for its ongoing construction work in north India.
In a change of stance, the state home department has decided to look into its own move to shift out the Yerawada police station on the Pune-Ahmednagar road and allow commercial exploitation of the three-acre plot on which it stands.
The RICS, an international, self regulatory professional body relating to real estate, has called for a mechanism for consumer protection and fair practices in real estate transactions. This will also help increase domestic and foreign investments in this sector.
I would say I am relatively dissatisfied with the focus of budget on realty sector in the last ten years. Our expectations have never been fulfilled and I now demand investments in infrastructure sector should be set as a priority, as good infrastructure is very necessary for the economic growth of the country.
It seems the revival in the realty market has once again started attracting big ticket investments in the sector and even the corporate in the allied business want to reap the benefits. Nitco Ltd, known for flooring and interior aesthetics solutions provider, has now marked its foray in the real estate sector with the inauguration of its first commercial project- Nitco Biz Park.
DLF Limited, India’s largest real estate company, recorded consolidated revenues of Rs 2,594 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2010, an increase of 21% from Rs 2,151 crore in the Q3FY10. EBIDTA stood at Rs 1,292 crore, an increase of 33% as compared to Rs 969 crore in the corresponding period last year. Net profit was at Rs 466 crore, as compared to Rs 468 crore in Q3FY0. The non-annualised EPS for the quarter was Rs 2.74