Housing.com to set up online platform for realtors body CREDAI

Housing.com today signed an MoU with the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI) to set up an online platform to help developers engage with customers in a hassle free and effective manner. The MoU will be effective for a period of three years.

"The objective of the MoU will be to improve the overall ecosystem and create a new age platform that will enable the developers to engage with the consumers in a focused manner," Housing.com said in a statement.

CREDAI is the national body of real estate developers associations from across the country. With 11500 members in 154 city chapters spread across 24 states. On the other hand Housing.com is the leading online real estate platform.

Housing.com’s Chief Business Officer Jason Kothari said, "The partnership is a testimony of changing times in the manner developers have been traditionally operating in the real estate space". He further said that the the association would redefine the way developers have been approaching the buyers across India; adding that the alliance would make the real estate community more transparent and consumer centric.

CREDAI National President Getamber Anand said the synergy with Housing.com would help in bringing an additional credibility to the real estate space by way of professional brokering and large footprint.

The MoU provides Housing.com privileges to actively participate and be represented at all events and forums of the association. On the other hand, CREDAI will leverage Housing.com's technology superiority and innovation to create online proliferation for its communities.

Housing.com has raised over USD 100 million in capital from leading investors, including Softbank.

The portal has made some major appointments recently. Rishabh Gupta was appointed as interim CEO in July, while Jason Kothari was appointed as the Chief Business Officer in August to drive the company's growth in India. PTI

CREDAI NCR to Stop Buying Cement from Ultratech, Lafarfe

NEW DELHI: Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India (CREDAI) NCR chapter has decided not to procure cement from Ultratech and Lafarge, alleging carelization and malpractices by these firms.

The developers’ body said in a statement that the decision has been taken in order to help fair price determination of key raw materials required for the realty sector. This announcement stop buying from these companies was made at the AGM held yesterday.

CREDAI National President Getamber Anand said to a news agency "We have decided to boycott Ultratech and Lafarge, as they have not delivered the cement to our members at the decided price, despite taking advances". He also suggested that the body may on a national strike if the situations did not change.

On the other hand, CREDAI NCR President Manoj Gaur said that there are about 220 members of CREDAI in the national capital region and all have unanimously decided to stop procurement of cement from Ultratech and Lafarge." He alleged that these companies have increased cement prices by 40 per cent and it seems they are involved in cartelisation. All members of CREDAI NCR have agreed to stop buying from these companies with immediate effect.

Get Ready for ‘Smart’ Villages Now!

After launching the smart city projects, the Union Govt. aims to launch 300 village clusters under the ‘Rurban Mission’. Union minister for rural development Birender Singh announced the Govt.’s intention while inaugurating a two-day national workshop of 'Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana' (SAGY) in Bhopal recently.

He said that the population of these clusters would vary between 25,000 and 50,000. However cluster strength will be less in hilly areas. To be developed on the pattern of towns with planned layouts, these rural-urban hubs will give a new dimension to Urbanization as well as real estate market in India.

As per the minister, state governments will have to issue notifications for these clusters. An investment of Rs. 50-55 crore is envisaged in each cluster which will be funded jointly by the Union and State Govts. Governments will take up funding of these clusters under various schemes within the Rurban mission. He further added that a critical gap funding of 30 per cent will be additionally provided.

Mr. Singh added that the objective is to create an ecosystem of trade growth and infrastructure facilities in these clusters. Image: India News

Real Estate Regulation and GST bills in next session of Parliament

The government is in the process of accelerating reforms and transforming India, Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said at a function here.

Economic Times: Government is planning to push for the passage of crucial bills like GST and Real Estate in the next session of Parliament to accelerate reforms and spur growth and employment in the country.

The government is in the process of accelerating reforms and transforming India, Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said at a function here.

"A number of crucial Bills including that of introduction of GST, Real Estate Regulation and Development Bill, for bringing accountability and transparency and enhancing employment generation are expected to be taken up for approval in the next session of Parliament," he said.
Despite the concerted efforts, government could not get through the GST due to the stiff resistance from Congress and other opposition parties in Parliament.

These Bills are important from the perspective of spurring growth and employment which is necessary for faster poverty reduction, Naidu said.

He said the government is also focusing on skill development, both in rural and urban areas in order to alleviate poverty.

On Smart City Mission, Naidu said ever since it was announced it has really brought the urban issues firmly on the agenda of the nation and all stakeholders including political class, media and the common man.

Stating that the country is urbanising with a furious speed, he said urban issues need to be addressed sooner than later.

Raising question whether one can rise to the challenge and deliver the goals under the Smart City Mission, Naidu emphatically said "answer is clear yes."

Drawing the broad contours of the proposed Smart City, he said "a necessary core infrastructure, sanitation, health and education facilities, clean and sustainable environment, good city governance and adoption of smart technologies to ensure decent living, and catalyses economic growth which is the need of the hour."

He said the success of India growth story is hugely dependent on the success once can make on the urban front.

"The centre has committed itself to support states and urban local bodies with central assistance of over Rs 3 lakh crore over the next five years, he said and added "The future of the aspirational India lies in the future of our cities." Source: The Economic Times