An article about " Trends in Indian Real Estate "

Trends in Indian Real Estate

The union finance ministry has reportedly turned down a proposal by the Department of Policy and Promotion (DoPP) that had suggested doing away with the mandatory three-year lock-in period for FDI in the real estate sector. " The ministry's " , point of view is that a lock-in period acts as a deterrent, checking speculation and protecting the sector from the sudden flight of capital. This could be particularly true at times of an unprecedented crisis, such as the global meltdown in 2008, when foreign institutional investors pulled out nearly $5 billion worth of equity investments between September and October 2008.

There is a big difference between portfolio investments or hedge fund money coming into the stock market and money that is being channeled into the development of projects. However, the ministry's contention is that despite the correction after the meltdown, real estate prices were not eroded to the extent that values of some other asset classes were, largely because the lock-in prevented investors from sending their money back home.

Given the fact that there is tremendous interest in the Indian real estate market and that most of the investments are of a long-term nature, how much money would have flowed out, is debatable. According to one estimate, nearly $20 billion worth of foreign investment has come into the Indian market since FDI was first allowed. So, in any case, imposing a lock-in on the original investment, which is between $5 million for a joint venture and $10 million for a 100% subsidiary, depending on the structure of the entity, should not bother long-term investors.

As of now, it appears that the lock-in will be imposed on a rolling basis in other words; the investment amount will be locked in for three years. That may seem harsh but again, shouldn't hurt too much. All that investors would need to do at their global investment committee meetings is to point out that the

Indian government has shifted the goal post. But that shouldn't really make anyone too uncomfortable about putting in money to work in India given its reputation as one of the world's top business destinations. CREDAl to construct 5000 houses for North Karnataka Flood victims.

One of the worst floods in the last 100 years, northern part of Karnataka has suffered immense loss of life and lakhs of houses have been washed away. The State Government has appealed to the public at large and the industrialists and organizations to come to rescue to flood hit victims.

'The Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India [CREDAI]' Karnataka has offered to construct 5000 houses to rehabilitate the people whose houses have been washed away. The Government has allotted land in Bagalkot area. The total cost is estimated to be around a whoppingRs. 50.00 crore.