Hyderabad, October, 2003:  Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India (CREDAI), Builders Forum, Builders Association, Contractors Association, APREDA, FAPCCI, Association of Construction Engineers, Institute of Engineers and Andhra Pradesh Apartment Builders Association got together recently felicitated Shri Bandaru Dattatreya on his assuming Independent Charge of Ministry of Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation, Government of India in a special function organized for the purpose in city at Hotel Taj Residency.

Prior to the felicitation, members of CREDAI and Builder Forum of Andhra Pradesh closeted with the Minister for a Round Table Conference to discuss various issues concerning them and the industry.

After an hour of closed door meeting with the Ministers, about hundred and fifty members of various builders forums associations assembled for the felicitation. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kumar Gera, President of CREDAI put forth plethora of acts contrary to one another governing builders in their business and urged the Minister to do away with all these laws and suggested to usher in an era of reforms of these acts so that one can proceed in for single window clearance. He also spoke about simplification of various processes and rationalisation of taxes,
implementation of model rent act etc. Some of other issues highlighted include repeal of The Urban Land Ceiling Act by some states, reduction of registration charges and stamp duty and slum redevelopment program

Speaking on the occasion immediately after the felicitation and responding to the demands of the building community he said Housing is a big problem in Urban area. Speaking about increasing Urban Reforms Incentive Fund(URIF) from Rs 500 crore to 1000 crore, he said he would take up the matter with the union finance ministry. And informed that AP State Government has not signed MoU and told that he would prevail on the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh to do the same.
And requested state government to reduce stamp duty and said it should be less than 5 per cent. Responding to the demand of builders to regulate plethora of laws coming in way of their profession as many are contrary to others, he said he would study whether we should have regulatory commission. And assured of minimum laws to grant permission to building community. And added that Ministry is already treating construction sector as an industry, though not given its due status. And informed that construction activity accounts for more than 50 per cent of the development outlays. And said nearly about 250 industries depend on building industry.

-MK
Reachout's News Bureau
October' 2003

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