‘States must copy Bengal housing model’

If Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked other chief ministers to emulate the work of Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the Centre now wants other stat...

If Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked other chief ministers to emulate the work of Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the Centre now wants other states to follow the Bengal housing sector model.

Taking a leaf out of the private-public participation in housing development being followed by the West Bengal government, the Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation is all set to bring in a policy paper on

housing that will be beneficial to both the well-heeled urbanite and the urban poor.

Story continues below this ad

The draft not only proposes rationalisation of property and rent tax structures but also suggests they follow up Bengal’s public-private partnership in real estate development.

As in the case of West Bengal, the draft policy suggests that the state earmark free land that could be made available for mega housing projects that could attract FDI and generate employment.

While the state governments are to ensure availability of land for housing projects that could attract FDI, 20-25 per cent of land in every mega project will have to earmarked for the urban poor (which is also going to be re-defined). The Bengal-Ambuja project is being cited as an example.

In exchange for developing 20-25 per cent of the land made available through government resources, the private sector would be given tax sops for housing projects.

Story continues below this ad

Along with the housing policy draft, the Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Ministry is also sending a proposal to the Finance Minister on tax benefits that may be given to the private sector for such projects.

H-1B $100,000 entry fee explained: Who pays, who’s exempt, and what’s still unclear?

Explained8 hr ago

The White House's decision to impose a $100,000 entry fee on H-1B visa holders has sparked worry among Indian tech workers and students. While uncertainties remain about its implementation and exemptions, major tech companies have cautioned employees against traveling. The policy could lead to a shift towards other visa categories and potentially change the STEM immigration pipeline.

View all shorts

Live Blog