Track2Realty Exclusive: Making the strategic shift of corporate in realty is not easy and getting things right is even more complex. Even though real estate business may not be the primary operations of several conglomerates who have entered this business space, sound corporate governance is based on more than just simple compliance with ‘universal standards’.
Track2Realty Exclusive: A single window clearance cell, akin to the Security and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for the securities market in India, should be established. A unified point of clearance such as this will minimize project delays by reducing the builder’s run around time in obtaining clearances.
Track2Realty Exclusive: The debate over promoter driven versus professional driven also brings to the table the fundamental question as to whether the entry of corporates into the business has changed the outlook of real estate in India. Have they brought about transparency and corporate governance?
Track2Realty Exclusive: There are some industry watchers who believe the entire genre of awards should not be dismissed just because there are few rotten eggs in the basket. Industry body NAREDCO thinks awards should be seen as recognition for the work done by the developer. “If a real estate company has earned an award, I think it should be respected by the industry and by the collective consciousness,” says Sunil Dahiya, Senior Vice President of NAREDCO.
Track2Realty Exclusive: While the provision of a real estate regulator snowballed into a political controversy over the jurisdiction of centre-state relations, some sector analysts believe the developers have hurt their own cause by stiff resistance to the appointment of a central regulator.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Awards have often been the source of sulking within the business community. However, when it comes to real estate, one has got absolutely no reasons to sulk as awards are not just rigged but customised for the companies at a cost. Track2Realty finds while some buy it for recognition, brand promotion or just notional value; others dismiss the offer being aware that m0re than they needing the award, such trophies need their brand value for establishing credibility.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Some analysts are of the view that in some other sectors people are vocal because they come from very powerful political background and are second generation entrepreneurs. Then, they are active at the federal level without any structural defect where policy at centre might help at some level and hamper at some other state level. Automobile policies, for instance, are framed for across the country.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Realty is predominantly a regional business, primarily on account of land being a state subject. Therefore it is a tough task for one single body or association to represent the views and opinions of all stakeholders in the sector.
Track2Realty-Agencies: West Bengal did not receive any investment, either foreign or domestic, in the real estate sector in the financial year 2012-13, according to a report by industry body ASSOCHAM.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Asking for industry status, the sector doesn’t want elements of accountability that comes with the package. Quite opposed to the very idea of regulation, even after self-regulatory attempts didn’t work out, realty doesn’t evoke confidence at the policy level and often ends up being at loggerheads with the government. Track2Realty finds that though policy advocacy is very much desirable in the sector, it is yet so debatable that the stakeholders have failed to evolve a consensus over its issues and agenda.