Pay Rs 4 lakh to know about waqf property: UP Sunni waqf board

NEW DELHI: If you want to use the RTI Act to know the status of waqf properties — of which there is no official data and many of which is either encroached upon or usurped — you may have to pay lakhs of rupees as fee.

Disclosing this startling fact before the Supreme Court on Friday, Moradabad-based NGO, Manav Vikas Sewa Samiti, said the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central waqf Board had told the NGO that cost of information sought on management of listed waqf property was about Rs 4 lakh and would be furnished after it deposited the money.

In response to the RTI query, the Delhi waqf Board said, "No information is readily available. And the information sought by the applicant is quite voluminous and they lack wherewithal to provide the said information as compiling the list of properties, the disputes, suit numbers, courts' names, present status would be time consuming process and would be an undue burden on our meager resources. Hence, we are unable to process the said information."

Making all waqf boards as respondents in its public interest litigation, the NGO complained that four years have passed since the Centre had framed a scheme in 2009 for preparing computerized inventory of waqf properties and get them back from encroachers, but till date the list had not reached finality.

A bench of Chief Justice P Sathasivam and Justices Ranjana P Desai and Shiva Kirti Singh issued notices to all the waqf boards and sought their responses to the PIL, which has sought a direction to them to comply with the December 18, 2012 order of the ministry of minority affairs for computerization of all waqf properties.

The NGO said a joint parliamentary committee report on waqf in October 2008 had recommended computerization of records of state waqf boards. On the basis of the recommendations, the Centre had launched a scheme under e-governance project of the ministry of minority affairs directing all state waqf boards to streamline the records about the waqf properties. The Centre had earmarked Rs 25 crore for this.

It said, "The waqf properties under encroachment throughout India are worth trillions of rupees. These could have been used for the welfare of widow, poor, orphans, homeless, handicapped and destitute."

"Since the survey of waqf properties have not been done in most of the states, the waqf boards lose out substantial money which could have been generated from these and utilized for the welfare of the Muslim community," the petitioner said.

While some waqf boards refused to furnish information under RTI Act, others waqf boards, which received central grant for computerization of records about waqf properties, informed the NGO that they have not yet done the mandated work as the Centre had not fixed a timeframe for it.


source:- http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-21/india/42272074_1_waqf-properties-wakf-properties-computerization

The Brutalisation of Golf Course Road and its commuters

The Smug Commuter: On moving to Gurgaon four years ago, we shifted to a locality using Golf Course Road as a vital daily route. I was quite taken up with this wide-laned road, with its large central verge and impressive tree-cover. Laburnum and frangipani trees completely transformed the landscape in season with bright yellow and white flowers respectively. The big plus was that it could take 5-6 lanes of traffic on each side. When others complained of dreadful jams, we were fortunate. For a brief interim period, the erstwhile roundabout experienced chaotic traffic, but that too improved once the roundabout went. The road surface here was better than most, especially after the monsoons. The years went by, the tree cover grew rapidly, and this was undoubtedly one of Gurgaon's greenest, fastest commutes. Daily commuters here were a privileged lot, if I say so rather smugly.

The Shocked Commuter: One fine morning last October, there was sudden activity of tree-chopping - just when we were admiring how beautifully the trees had grown! The administration at best of times is never prompt in starting/completing tasks; in this case, they worked at superfast speed. The trees were chopped and lifted within a few hours. When commuters drove by that evening, they were in for a rude shock seeing glaring bald patches resembling a haircut gone drastically wrong.

That was the first sign of bad news for Smug Commuter. Shortly after the road was literally stripped naked, further shocks awaited - sudden diversions one fine day in December with talk of road upgradation. No advance warning in newspapers; complete pandemonium as harassed commuters suffered jams.

The Hopeful Commuter: The diversions were reversed after protests, so some false sense of assurance returned. Commuters hoped they would not be too badly off in the coming months, with talk of a fancy 16-lane expressway - on a road that ironically needed no improvement. Then the abuse to the road began. Sections were cordoned off and butchered - notably two bits at Arjun Marg and near Alchemist Hospital, with drastic reduction from the earlier 4-6 lanes (including service lanes) to two lanes.

The Dismayed Commuter: Hope soon turned to dismay when these bottlenecks ensured it took 10-12 minutes to pass through a short 50m stretch. Concerned Road Safety Officers stepped in to study the traffic flow and together with traffic police were able to bring in some improvements.

The Taken-for-granted commuter: Signs said 'work-in-progress'; regrettably, there was neither work nor progress. Incredibly, on the reduced stretch in front of Alchemist, no work whatsoever has happened for over eight whole months! Why, can someone please answer the question, why then was this stretch cordoned off, causing immense daily hardship to commuters if work here wasn't commencing? The meaningless sign saying 'Inconvenience regretted' just does not make up for needless daily hardship faced because someone somewhere did a rotten job of planning. Alongside bright colourful barrels appeared, further slowing down traffic. No-one can understand why they are there and cannot be immediately removed.

On the Arjun Marg end, we hope there has been some progress (the hidden excavated areas do not permit peeping into the pit of reality). The original metal barricades were blue, gradually acquiring shades of orange with assault of paan stains, soon mutating to a rust-brown colour. The only visible (and completely unnecessary) progress was repainting these barricades yellow, during which time painters chatted while occupying the lane they stole from commuters now squeezed into a single lane. Adding insult to injury, the road was widened on the left side but left like a dirt-track - you'd drive here only if you are driving someone else's car or have a sturdy heart and strong back! That means renewed nightmarish jams. We wonder if urgent carpeting of this part is on anyone's agenda.

The Not-so-smug-anymore Commuter: Yes, our Golf Course Road has rapidly gone downhill. This once-great road resembles the surface of the moon; hopes for any patch-up under current circumstances are remote. It has lost its green cover. As a perfect example of 'closing the stable door after the horses have bolted', the Haryana State Pollution Control Board informed the National Green Tribunal that environmental clearances were not taken by DLF-HUDA before felling 1000+ trees. Further felling has been stalled, small consolation as the largest and best have already gone.


'You can't make an omelette without breaking an egg', goes a Scottish saying. In other words, development comes at a cost and before the finished product, there is expected mess. We, as commuters are willing to bear that cost in the interest of progress - ONLY IF we see clear plans, steady progress, a will to complete things fast and some attempt to minimize commuter inconvenience. Everyone in Gurgaon works night-shifts; why not this project too, crashing project time rather than indefinite extensions? Maybe a few years down the line, Golf Course Road commuters may be a smug lot once again - but for now, we remain Shocked, Dismayed, Taken-for-granted and Not-so-smug anymore.

source:- http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-06/gurgaon/41832539_1_golf-course-road-road-upgradation-commuter

Gurgaon Rapid Metro may roll out from October 2

India's first privately funded and operated Rapid Metro service is expected to start operations from October 2. The much-awaited metro promises better connectivity to the people of Gurgaon.


The commissioner of Metro railway safety (CMRS) was yet to give a green signal to start the service but the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) had already conducted trials and necessary tests, Rapid Metro Gurgaon Limited (RMGL) officials said.

The facility was supposed to start in March but was postponed.   "The high-speed trials by the RDSO are over and we are waiting for a final report. We will then approach the CMRS for a final inspection of the rapid metro system after which the facility will be available to the commuters," said RMGL spokesperson.

However, the RMGL officials are tight-lipped about the October 2 launch since it has already missed two deadlines. It has pinned its hopes on the CMRS for the approval.

A highly-placed source told HT that if everything goes right, the service will start from the decided date.

"The Rapid Metro network is likely to boost connectivity and nearly nine lakh employees working in multinational companies in the Cyber City will benefit from it," said a senior official, adding that the service would ease around 30% of the existing road traffic.


source:- http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/gurgaon/Gurgaon-Rapid-Metro-may-roll-out-from-October-2/Article1-1118610.aspx

MG Road greenbelt encroached upon

GURGAON: Several stretches of the greenbelt on MG Road, starting from the Delhi-Gurgaon border to IFFCO Chowk have been encroached upon by various roadside businesses, starting from chat-wallahs to stalls selling Chinese and other fast foods to vends selling liquor to makeshift stalls dealing with scrap metals.

"The greatest irony about MG Road is that while the restaurants pay all the taxes and rentals, these makeshift eateries operate without permission, that too, on illegal space. These stalls, especially the liquor vends, are a nuisance in the area," said Karan Bedi, director, JMD Limited.

According to a source, the scrap vendors near Bristol Chowk are connected with powerful politicians and that's the reason the Gurgaon administration has not been able to evict them from the site.

"The administration talks about safety and security on MG Road. But, how can there be any safety when liquor shops are running openly and there is no check on them? Even the other vendors on the greenbelt are a great threat to safety and security. Who will be responsible if some untoward incident takes place," asked Manish Yadav, a social activist from DLF-II.

All the major malls in the city are located on MG Road. The encroachers have created such a mess in the area that people coming to Bristol Hotel and the Grand Mall face a lot of trouble. "I feel unsafe to do shopping on MG Road malls after dusk not because of the pubs located inside the mall but because of the machans of the liquor shops," said Usha Khanna, a customer at one of the MG Road malls.

"MG Road turns into a 'V' near Bristol Hotel and the spot witnesses frequent traffic jams. Vendors sitting in the areas, with cars parked near their shops and establishments are a cause of concern for all," said Deepak Verma, an office-bearer of Sushant Lok RWA.

HUDA Administrator Praveen Kumar said, "The problem has been pointed out by residents and customers. We are aware of the problems of the residents. A few months ago, we had removed all the encroachers from the stretch. Since the repair work on the road is going on, we are not taking any action right now. We will take action against the encroachers after the repair work is over."

sourcE:- http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-06/gurgaon/41833084_1_mg-road-mg-road-liquor-shops

HUDA’s drive against greenbelt encroachers

GURGAON: The Haryana Urban Development Authority is planning to start a month-long drive against violators encroaching greenbelts in the residential and commercial areas in the city. The decision in this regard was taken after a meeting held last week in which HUDA administrator Praveen Kumar instructed the officials to clear the greenbelts of encroachments.

"In the meeting the details of encroachers and a detailed plan for clearing greenbelts were discussed. In the some cases police help might be needed for registration of cases," a senior HUDA official said. The biggest concern of the civic agency remains to be encroachment by commercial establishments. Greenbelts on several roads are being used for commercial purposes. On the either side of Golf Course Road dozens of 'For Sale' used cars remain parked throughout the day. In the past, HUDA has taken action against such violators but the officials are claiming that now cars found parked on greenbelts would be impounded.

The civic agency has registered FIRs against greenbelt encroachers in different sectors. "FIRs were lodged against a dhaba owner, used car shop owners and a plant nursery owner," said another HUDA official. In order to rein in violators HUDA is also planning to rope in corporate companies to adopt greenbelts. "Corporate firms would take care of greenbelts close to their offices and would be allowed to put up signboards with their logo on the road dividers," said the official.

source:- http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-09/gurgaon/41903064_1_huda-administrator-praveen-kumar-haryana-urban-development-authority-encroachers

Tata, Singapore Airlines look to fly in Indian skies

The Tata Group and Singapore Airlines (SIA) are making a third bid to enter the Indian domestic aviation market.

On Thursday, they announced they had signed a memorandum of understanding and applied for Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval to establish a new airline in India.

"Subject to FIPB and other regulatory approvals, the airline will be based in New Delhi and operate under the full-service (FSC) model. Tata Sons will own 51% and Singapore Airlines 49%," a joint statement said. The two would jointly invest $100 million initially to set up the airline with Tata investing $51 million.

Tata and SIA first made an attempt to launch a domestic carrier in 1995, but the project failed to take off due to a change in civil aviation policy that barred foreign carriers from holding stake in domestic airlines. In 2000, the two bid for a stake in Air India but the offer was later withdrawn.

The Tatas are pioneers in the Indian aviation industry with JRD Tata starting Tata Airlines - later renamed Air India - in 1932.

Tata Group sources said they were approached by SIA with a proposal to start an Indian FSC in mid-2012, much before the Indian government changed rules in September that year permitting foreign airlines to pick up to 49% stake in domestic carriers. This was also before Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia approached the Tata Group with a proposal to start a low-cost carrier (LCC).

In February this year, the Tata Group announced it had signed an agreement with AirAsia and Telestra Tradeplace Pvt Ltd to launch an Indian LCC.

The proposed airline, AirAsia India, has already got FIPB approval and security clearance from the home ministry.

Tata said it would actively participate in the management and operations of both airlines. Industry experts, however, said having the same promoter could lead to issues between the two airlines when they start full-fledged operations as LCCs and FSCs offer more or less the same fares in India.

While a Tata Group spokesperson said present policy does not restrict a promoter from having stakes in two airlines, aviation minister Ajit Singh said it was for the corporate affairs ministry and market regulator Sebi to take a call as "aviation rules don't mention anything on this".

"AirAsia has known from the very beginning that we have been in talks with SIA to launch an FSC," the Tata spokesperson said. Sources said the airline could be airborne by March-April 2014.

Industry experts said Jet and Air India would be hit hardest.

"The Tata-SIA airline venture was long overdue... Hope this JV doesn't become a victim of negative aviation politics like in 90s," said Kapil Kaul, South Asia CEO of aviation consultancy firm Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation.

"We have the opportunity to launch a world-class full-service airline in India. We are delighted we are partnering in this endeavour with world renowned Singapore Airlines," said Prasad Menon, chairman of the proposed JV.

"With the recent liberalisation, the time is right to jointly bring consumers a fresh new option for full-service air travel. We are confident the airline will help stimulate market demand and provide economic benefits to India," said SIA CEO Goh Choon Phong.

Ashok Chawla, chairman of Competition Commission of India, said: "The first JV didn't require CCI approval and neither does the second since there is no merger and acquisition involved at this point. However, if the situation arises later based on the behaviour of the company and market trends, the CCI has the mandate to look into it."

source:- http://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/SectorsAviation/Tata-Singapore-Airlines-look-to-fly-in-Indian-skies/Article1-1124338.aspx

The Indian Economy Has Itself to Blame: Fund Managers

he economy may stay in the doldrums in the foreseeable future but the Indian markets appear to be clawing their way out. The question now is: What can spoil sentiment again—do we need to worry about external global events (tapering of bond purchases by the US Federal Reserve, unrest in Syria) or the economic policies followed by India? Forbes India asks fund managers for their take.


The Syrian crisis may have a short-term impact and a QE taper may have a medium- term effect on Indian markets: Either the events play out or the markets re-adjust. But the chief concern has been the economic policies of the government and the aftermath of the policy paralysis. The bias towards subsidies is well-taken but there seems to have been an overdose and the concurrent implications in terms of high twin deficits, inflation and interest rates have halted investment.
S Krishna Kumar,
Fund Manager, Sundaram Mutual Fund

The QE taper has caused debt capital to leave emerging markets and has led to weakening of currencies and rise in interest rates. Spike in oil prices on account of Syria will also cause pain. Red tape, corruption and higher deficits on account of increased social entitlement spends are responsible for lower growth. However, the hubris of corporates in 2006-07, when there was excessive leverage and overambitious projects, is equally responsible for the pain the economy is going through.
Rajeev Thakkar,
Chief Investment Officer, PPFAS Asset Management




We have only ourselves to blame. When the West was slowing down and money was flowing in to us, we frustrated genuine long-term investors and lapped up portfolio investments. We complain about governance, but some of the policies that put money, food and employment in the hands of the poor give a fine balance of growth trickling top down and fusing bottom up. But putting a stop to anything that is malfunctioning has backfired. We need to learn to repair the system on the go.
Ashish Somaiyaa,
CEO, Motilal Oswal AMC


Read more: http://forbesindia.com/article/checkin/the-indian-economy-has-itself-to-blame-fund-managers/36145/1#ixzz2fQTsCQvo

Homebuyers protest against developer

As many as 500 homebuyers of DLF New Town Heights, Gurgaon held a demonstration against the developer for delay in handing over possession of the flats. They alleged that they had incurred a collective loss of over R680 crore. The aggrieved homeowners demonstrated against the developer


at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. Fighting for their right to get their home on time, the homeowners protested peacefully by putting up banners and pictures showing the poor state of the complex and shouting slogans against the company and DTCP.

The New Town Heights, Gurgaon project was launched between February 2008 to March 2008. There are more than 3,000 flats in three projects of New Town Heights in sectors 86, 90 and 91. According to the association, the homeowners were promised possession by February to March 2011 which the developer failed to abide by. Despite waiting for more than 5.5 years, the customers have not yet received  possession of their apartments.

The association alleged that the developer had been giving false assurances on timelines. The DTCP (Department of Town & Country Planning, Haryana) issued the Occupancy Certificates (OC) to DLF in February 2013, according to which the homeowners were to receive possession within a month’s time. Despite this, the homeowners still do not have possession of their homes and moreover the complex is still unfinished and heavy construction continues to happen even in towers for which OC has been granted.

According to the Association, “These homes from inside are in a bad condition with no doors, windows or toilets. The state of apartments is so bad that DLF has not been able to handover apartments even after six months of receipt of OC. As per the agreement signed between DLF and customers, DLF has promised to handover homes within 30 days after getting OC from DTCP.”

 “By getting the OC before completion of construction, DLF has breached its own agreement clause 17 that provides for compensation for failure to hand over apartments. It has stopped paying  compensation to homebuyers who have to pay both the EMI and the house rent. This amounts to over R30 crore, which is increasing every passing day,” allege homeowners.

Said Nitin Grover, president, New Town Heights Homeowners Association, “We have invested our hard-earned money into buying a house and most of us are first-time buyers. The developer is not only playing with emotions of common people like us who dream of owning their own home, but also invading a huge amount of money. We would like DLF to take an immediate action in this regard and give us a final date of possession and pay us delay compensation till actual possession in line with its own contract. If the company does not keep its promises, we will protest again until our demands are met.”

“DLF has also added additional seven floors in certain towers (M and N Sector 90) and added an additional tower (Tower A Sector 90) in the complex as late as 2012. Through this action DLF made more than R100 crore at the cost of customers who now have to wait till 2014 or 2015 to get their homes,” he alleged.

source:- http://www.hindustantimes.com/HTEstates/RWAWatch/Homebuyers-protest-against-developer/Article1-1118911.aspx

Buyers 'beg' to protest 'apathy' of builder

As many as 200 homebuyers of Uniworld Garden II project on Sunday hit the streets and 'begged' for money on MG Road to protest the delay in possession of their flats.

It is a 16-tower residential project of realty major Unitech in Sector 47 on Sohna Road. The buyers were supposed to get possession of their flats by 2011.

The buyers started the demonstration from City Centre Mall and walked up till Sahara Mall. Armed with banners and placards, they called it a UG-II (Uniworld Garden II) scam.

"We had paid nearly `300 crore to Unitech in 2009 and still haven't got possession of our flats. We have to pay EMI plus the house rent and therefore we have no other option but to beg money from others," said Joginder Singh, president of the Uniworld Garden II apartment owners' association.

Unitech, however, did not respond to queries from HT, despite repeated attempts.

"We have given Unitech time till Diwali to give the possession of our flats. We will try to wreck their annual general meeting on September 26," said Vikas Dhingra, a buyer.Buyers had lodged a complaint of fraud and cheating against Unitech with the police commissioner, who had then marked an inquiry to ACP (Sadar). The senior town planner (STP) RK Singh had summoned Unitech officials on July 22 after receiving a complaint from buyers.

The company had submitted that five out of 16 towers of the project were complete and would be handed over to the buyers.

sourcE:- http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/gurgaon/Buyers-beg-to-protest-apathy-of-builder/Article1-1119412.aspx

Commercial real estate transactions

Sales

Rainier Capital Management of Dallas bought the Texas Oncology Center, a 21,470-square-foot office property on Josey Lane in Carrollton. Ron Hebert and Wayne Bares of Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services brokered the sale.

Taco Casa purchased more than an acre for a new restaurant at 1909 Hebron Parkway in Carrollton. Dennis Leibovitz and Shelley Taylor of The Retail Connection brokered the sale.

Taylor-Deal Aviation acquired a 68,500-square-foot industrial building at 911 Maryland in Irving. Paul Blight of Glacier Commercial Realty brokered the sale.

CrossPointe Community Church of Corinth purchased a 6.4-acre tract of land at the southwest corner of Tower Ridge Road and Meadows Oak Drive in Corinth in Denton County. W. Thurston Witt of United Commercial Realty brokered the sale.

A franchisee for Taco Bell bought a 32,670-square-foot building site on the northwest corner of U.S. Highway 380 and Oak Grove Road in Crossroads in Denton County. Brad Gibbs and Tyler Isbell of SRS Real Estate Partners brokered the sale with Tommy Crowell of Standridge Cos.

A local investor bought the Falcon Apartments, a 33-unit apartment property at 501 Falcon Drive in Irving. Clint Roberts of Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services brokered the sale by Delicias Investments Inc.

Leases

Tech Mahindra Inc. leased 20,739 square feet of office space in Preston Park Financial Center at 4965 Preston Park Blvd. in Plano. Sam Pruitt of Site Selection Group negotiated the lease with Clint Madison and Rodney Helm of Cassidy Turley.

Dental One Inc. expanded its lease to 15,478 square feet at 17300 Dallas Parkway in Dallas. An affiliate of Hartman Income REIT negotiated the deal.

Dallas Label & Packaging leased 11,200 square feet of industrial space at 2502-2510 Camp Avenue in Carrollton. Nathan Denton of Lee & Associates negotiated with Rosana Shekman of Dallas Prestige Realty.

Acoustical Services Interiors leased 7,400 square feet of industrial space at 4656 Leston Avenue in Dallas. Phil Rosenfeld and Matt Thompson of Colliers International negotiated the lease.

DOHH leased 6,860 square feet of office space at 8070 Park Lane in Dallas.  Andy Leatherman of Jones Lang LaSalle negotiated the lease with Trey Smith, Ward Eastman and Johnny Johnson of Cassidy Turley.

J. Marc Hess of Chicago Title leased 6,116 square feet of office space in Preston Pointe Centre at 1400 Preston Road in Plano from Intercity Investment Properties Inc. Sharon Friedberg and Melanie Hughes of Bradford Commercial Real Estate Services negotiated the lease with Alex Reedy and Scott Jessen of Citadel Partners.

Koper Enterprises leased 6,067 square feet of industrial space at 2515 Tarpley Road in Carrollton. Brett Lewis of Lee & Associates negotiated the lease with Mike Rose of Group Real Estate Services.

Real estate editor Steve Brown compiles this list.

source:- http://www.dallasnews.com/business/commercial-real-estate/headlines/20130919-commercial-real-estate-transactions.ece