Realty firms and consultants have expressed satisfaction on the proposal to retain income tax exemption on interest up to Rs 1.5 lakh a year on housing loan, but said the government needs to enhance the limit. “It is a very good thing that the government has retained the exemption. It will have a feel-good sentiment in the market,” said Anuj Puri, country head, Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj (JLLM).
He said the move will not dishearten the low and mid-income group from going ahead with their buying decisions. The first draft of Direct Tax Code (DTC) was silent on exemption on interest paid on housing loans. However, after adverse feedback from various quarter, the second draft proposed to retain this exemption, which is also incorporated in the bill.
Commenting on the development, the country’s largest realty firm DLF Group executive director Rajeev Talwar said: “It is good that the exemption has been retained. However, the industry was expecting enhancement of the limit. “I think, in future the government has to consider increasing the limit to include more people in the bracket.”
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