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Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Karnataka minister rejects EWS housing scheme graft charges, seeks probe
BENGALURU : Karnataka Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan on Tuesday dismissed allegations of corruption in the allotment of houses under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) scheme and called for a thorough probe into the matter. The minister was responding to claims made by ruling Congress MLA from Aland, B R Patil , who alleged that bribes were being collected from poor families in exchange for houses. "Is there any instance where money is being taken to allot houses? Let B R Patil tell me who demanded money. We will take action against those who accepted bribes - they won't be spared," Khan told reporters. He urged Patil to write to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and formally seek an inquiry into the alleged irregularities. Clarifying his stance, Khan said he had already ordered a departmental probe. "As the minister, I've directed senior officials to investigate whether such incidents have occurred. So far, no such instance has come to my notice," he said. Refuting allegations that he personally benefited, Khan said, "I am not in such penury that I need to collect money from the poor. If I have taken money for allotting houses, I deserve to be cursed. Will my family or I gain anything by exploiting the poor? We will perish." He added that only Panchayats are authorised to select beneficiaries, not MLAs. "If Panchayat members have taken money, let them be exposed. I haven't come across any complaint of Panchayat officials collecting money from beneficiaries." According to Khan, all MLAs cutting across party lines had submitted recommendations for house allotments, but the state lacked enough stock to meet every request. "We're allotting houses in phases. Patil had asked for around 2,000 houses, but we also have to reallocate homes that were cancelled earlier. We've given 950 houses to separate Panchayats." Addressing Patil's complaint that none of the people he recommended were allotted houses while the Aland Panchayat president allegedly secured 950 homes for his people, Khan reiterated that he had no role in the selection. The minister criticised the Centre for levying 12 per cent GST on the Rs 1.5 lakh grant provided under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) for EWS families. "I requested BJP leaders in Karnataka to get the GST removed on central housing funds, but nothing has happened," he said. He explained that the total cost of a house under the scheme is Rs 7.5 lakh, with Rs 1.5 lakh each from the Centre and the state. For SC/ST beneficiaries, the central contribution is Rs 2.5 lakh, and the rest is borne by the beneficiary. Khan further alleged that while the Slum Development Board was supposed to receive Rs 9,500 crore from the Centre - Rs 7,400 crore under various housing schemes and Rs 2,100 crore under the Rajiv Gandhi Awas Yojana - only Rs 310 crore was released in the last eight years. "When I brought this to the Chief Minister's notice, the cabinet approved Rs 500 crore in 2024, enabling us to construct and allocate 36,789 houses," he said. Khan clarified that Patil had not directly accused him of taking bribes. "He never said I collected money. His grievance seems to be with the process at the local level," the minister said. The controversy gave ammunition to the opposition BJP and JD(S), who demanded Khan's resignation and a high-level inquiry. Adding to the Congress's discomfort, party MLA Belur Gopal Krishna also joined the chorus demanding Khan's resignation.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Noida adopts Mumbai's redevelopment model, customises it for EWS and leasehold group housing societies
Noida's new redevelopment policy marks a 'progressive shift' in urban renewal, drawing inspiration from Mumbai's model but adapting it to meet Noida's local requirements. Noida's new redevelopment policy draws inspiration from Mumbai's model but adapts it to meet Noida's local requirements. (Representational photo) (Photo by Sunil Ghosh / Hindustan Times)(HT_PRINT) Like Mumbai, it incentivizes developers by allowing a higher Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and the sale of additional units. At the same time, it ensures that existing residents benefit from upgraded, more spacious homes and are provided with temporary accommodation during reconstruction, say real estate experts. However, the key distinction lies in its focus. Unlike Mumbai's broad, city-wide redevelopment framework, Noida's approach is more targeted and phased. It specifically prioritizes the redevelopment of Economically Weaker Section (EWS) units and leasehold group housing societies, with Requests for Proposal (RFPs) issued on a project-specific basis. Noida's redevelopment policy In its 218th board meeting held on June 14, the Noida Authority approved several initiatives, including the redevelopment of aging, dilapidated high-rise group housing towers. Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M told Hindustan Times, 'The board has given in-principle approval to the redevelopment of old, dilapidated high-rises so that users of these projects can avail themselves of better basic facilities and modern infrastructure within their buildings.' Under the scheme, existing EWS flats will be demolished and reconstructed. Developers will be allowed to sell additional housing units but must ensure that original residents receive larger, improved flats. They are also required to provide temporary accommodation to residents until the new homes are ready for possession. The Authority aims to redevelop old housing projects built by the Noida Authority in Sectors 27, 93, and 93A. Cooperative and private developers who have old low-rise buildings can use a 3.5 floor area ratio instead of the old 2 FAR to build more flats and go vertical if they can purchase additional FAR for the redevelopment, Lokesh M told the newspaper. This is what experts have to say about Noida's redevelopment policy 'Noida's new redevelopment policy is a progressive step. While it is closely modelled on Mumbai's approach, it is more customized to Noida's specific local needs. Like Mumbai, it incentivizes developers by allowing higher FAR and sale of additional units while making sure that the original residents benefit from more spacious, upgraded homes as well as temporary accommodation while reconstruction is underway,' explained Santhosh Kumar, vice chairman, Anarock Group. 'The key differences are that Noida's focus is on EWS and leasehold societies, and the Requests for Proposal are project-specific. This renders it more targeted and phased than in the case of Mumbai, which uses a broader, city-wide redevelopment framework,' he said. Concurs Abhishek Singh, director, V3 Infrasol, Noida's redevelopment policy is a forward-looking move that addresses both urban renewal and infrastructure optimization. From a legal standpoint, it offers a clear framework for title regularization, transfer of rights, and stakeholder consent, key aspects that led to delays earlier. Technically, it allows for the upgrade of aging structures, improved safety codes, and sustainable design practices. The policy encourages efficient land use, better density management, and integration of smart infrastructure, he said. Also Read: Does redevelopment of old buildings impact housing prices and rentals in Mumbai?
The Print
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Karnataka Minister rejects EWS housing scheme graft charges, seeks probe
'Is there any instance where money is being taken to allot houses? Let B R Patil tell me who demanded money. We will take action against those who accepted bribes — they won't be spared,' Khan told reporters. The minister was responding to claims made by ruling Congress MLA from Aland, B R Patil, who alleged that bribes were being collected from poor families in exchange for houses. Bengaluru, Jun 24 (PTI) Karnataka Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan on Tuesday dismissed allegations of corruption in the allotment of houses under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) scheme and called for a thorough probe into the matter. He urged Patil to write to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and formally seek an inquiry into the alleged irregularities. Clarifying his stance, Khan said he had already ordered a departmental probe. 'As the minister, I've directed senior officials to investigate whether such incidents have occurred. So far, no such instance has come to my notice,' he said. Refuting allegations that he personally benefited, Khan said, 'I am not in such penury that I need to collect money from the poor. If I have taken money for allotting houses, I deserve to be cursed. Will my family or I gain anything by exploiting the poor? We will perish.' He added that only Panchayats are authorised to select beneficiaries, not MLAs. 'If Panchayat members have taken money, let them be exposed. I haven't come across any complaint of Panchayat officials collecting money from beneficiaries.' According to Khan, all MLAs cutting across party lines had submitted recommendations for house allotments, but the state lacked enough stock to meet every request. 'We're allotting houses in phases. Patil had asked for around 2,000 houses, but we also have to reallocate homes that were cancelled earlier. We've given 950 houses to separate Panchayats.' Addressing Patil's complaint that none of the people he recommended were allotted houses while the Aland Panchayat president allegedly secured 950 homes for his people, Khan reiterated that he had no role in the selection. The minister criticised the Centre for levying 12 per cent GST on the Rs 1.5 lakh grant provided under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) for EWS families. 'I requested BJP leaders in Karnataka to get the GST removed on central housing funds, but nothing has happened,' he said. He explained that the total cost of a house under the scheme is Rs 7.5 lakh, with Rs 1.5 lakh each from the Centre and the state. For SC/ST beneficiaries, the central contribution is Rs 2.5 lakh, and the rest is borne by the beneficiary. Khan further alleged that while the Slum Development Board was supposed to receive Rs 9,500 crore from the Centre — Rs 7,400 crore under various housing schemes and Rs 2,100 crore under the Rajiv Gandhi Awas Yojana — only Rs 310 crore was released in the last eight years. 'When I brought this to the Chief Minister's notice, the cabinet approved Rs 500 crore in 2024, enabling us to construct and allocate 36,789 houses,' he said. Khan clarified that Patil had not directly accused him of taking bribes. 'He never said I collected money. His grievance seems to be with the process at the local level,' the minister said. The controversy gave ammunition to the opposition BJP and JD(S), who demanded Khan's resignation and a high-level inquiry. Adding to the Congress's discomfort, party MLA Belur Gopal Krishna also joined the chorus demanding Khan's resignation. PTI GMS GMS ROH This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
India Today
7 days ago
- General
- India Today
Indraprastha University Law admissions end on June 23. Apply now
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) has announced that the online registration for admission to its LLM programme (Code 112) will close on June 23, 2025. Candidates seeking admission through their CLAT PG 2025 scores can still apply by paying the application fee of Rs 2,500 online and completing the counselling registration register, candidates need to visit the university's official websites and The registration is mandatory for students who wish to be considered for seat allocation in the LLM can also edit their submitted forms until June 23. Changes can be made to fields such as region, category, and rank. Additionally, students must upload the required documents, including CLAT PG 2025 rank card, Class 12 mark sheet, and any applicable reservation certificates. For those awaiting their Class 12 results, the university has provided an Annexure 4 form, available in the admission brochure. This form must be filled and uploaded along with the applying under the Defence category need to mark 'Yes' in the specified field and submit the necessary supporting documents along with their preference schedule for choice filling and seat selection will be released separately on the university's admission QUOTA FOR ORPHAN STUDENTS FROM 2025A crucial move by GGSIPU's Academic Council, it has now approved the introduction of a new quota for orphan children across all university schools and from the 2025-26 academic session, one additional seat per programme will be reserved under this quota. Selected students will also receive a 100% fee waiver under the university's Economically Weaker Section (EWS) initiative makes IP University among the first higher education institutions in India to implement such a reservation. It follows the Single Girl Child quota, which was introduced in the previous academic ACADEMIC CHANGES ANNOUNCEDThe Academic Council has also greenlit a number of new academic initiatives. These include:A PhD programme for working professionalsLateral entry in MBA (Fire and Industrial Safety)Introduction of foreign languages like Spanish in certificate coursesA new five-year BA-MA Philosophy programmeLaunch of four-year BEd Special Education programmes in three disciplinesA Post-MSc Diploma in Radiological PhysicsAdditionally, the university will establish an 'In-Situ Centre for Indian Knowledge System and Technology Innovation' aimed at promoting indigenous knowledge traditions and full details, students are advised to visit and
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Good news for Thane homebuyers: MHADA cuts prices of 6,200+ PMAY flats for EWS under first-come, first-served scheme
The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA)'s Konkan Board has revised the prices of 6,248 affordable homes in Shirgaon and Khoni, Thane, under the PMAY-Urban scheme for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS). These homes are available on a First-Come, First-Served basis. The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA)'s Konkan Board has revised the prices of 6,248 affordable homes in Shirgaon and Khoni, Thane, under the PMAY-Urban scheme for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS). (Picture for representational purposes only)(MHADA) MHADA said Vice President and CEO Sanjeev Jaiswal (IAS) has approved the revised pricing for 5,236 homes in Shirgaon, increasing each unit's price by ₹ 1.43 lakh to ₹ 19.28 lakh. In Khoni, the price of 1,012 affordable homes has been reduced by ₹ 1.01 lakh per house, and the revised sale price for each of these units is ₹ 19.11 lakh. "Citizens who are looking to buy their own house are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity," said Revati Gaikar, Chief Officer, Konkan Housing and Area Development Board. According to MHADA, there is no deadline for purchasing homes under the First Come, First Served category; sales will continue until all units are sold. Also Read: MHADA lottery 2024: Why has the authority turned to street plays to boost affordable housing sales near Mumbai? Income slab criteria Under the EWS category, individuals with a family income of up to ₹ 6 lakh per annum are eligible to apply. Those earning between ₹ 6 lakh and ₹ 9 lakh can apply under the Lower Income Group (LIG) category. Applicants with a family income between ₹ 9 lakh and ₹ 12 lakh fall under the Middle Income Group (MIG) category, while those earning above ₹ 12 lakh per annum are eligible under the High Income Group (HIG) category. Also Read: MHADA to construct 8 lakh affordable homes in the next five years: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde MHADA lottery 2025: 5,000 affordable homes expected to be put on sale in Mumbai this Diwali The MHADA is expected to announce the draw for approximately 5,000 affordable homes around Diwali 2025. Sanjeev Jaiswal, vice president and chief executive officer of MHADA, told reporters in April 2025, "The MHADA is planning to announce a lottery draw of about 5,000 homes this September-October. " Jaiswal said, "The affordable homes will be announced in different locations of Mumbai, and the details are being finalised. " Also Read: MHADA lottery 2025: 5,000 affordable homes set to go on sale in Mumbai this Diwali, says Maharashtra housing authority According to MHADA officials, around 5,200 affordable homes are likely to be part of the draw, which will be announced in the coming months. In 2024, more than 2000 affordable homes in the price range of ₹ 29 lakh to ₹ 6.82 crore were up for sale.
