The state government, in a statement issued on Tuesday (October 28, 2025), dismissed accusations that it had unlawfully issued environmental clearance and building plan approval for a proposed multi-storeyed construction project within a protected marshland area. The marshland, which has been recognized for its ecological importance, has been at the centre of growing environmental concern and public debate.

Clarifying its position, the government maintained that the land identified for the project does not lie within the officially notified boundaries of the Marsh Reserve Forest. It further explained that the precise demarcation of the protected site’s boundaries is still under process, meaning the current project site cannot automatically be considered part of the protected zone.

According to the relevant environmental department, the area in question encompasses three distinct designations — the Reserve Forest, the protected site, and the Wetland. The department emphasized that these terms represent separate categories under different legal and environmental frameworks and should not be used interchangeably.

The government also highlighted that approximately 698 hectares have been formally declared as the Marsh Reserve Forest under relevant forest legislation. Within this notified area, no approvals or clearances have been issued for any form of construction, reaffirming the state’s commitment to conserving ecologically sensitive zones.

The housing finance company reported a 23.83% year-on-year increase in consolidated net profit for the quarter ended September 30, 2025. The company’s profit after tax (PAT) stood at ?581.59 crore in Q2 FY26, compared with ?469.68 crore in the same period last year, according to a filing with the stock exchange. The company’s consolidated total income rose 13.35% to ?2,130.60 crore in Q2 FY26 from ?1,879.66 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal.

Commenting on the results, an executive from the company said, “Despite challenges arising from leadership transitions, we have delivered a strong and resilient performance across all key metrics this quarter. Our spreads improved to 2.26% in Q2 FY26 from 2.23% in Q1 FY26, reflecting disciplined pricing and portfolio mix optimization. Looking ahead to FY26, our focus remains on accelerating retail growth and expanding our presence in the affordable and emerging market segments.”

During the half year ended September 30, 2025, the company allotted 5,83,520 equity shares of ?10 each following the exercise of employee stock options and restricted stock units. As of September 30, 2025, the company’s net worth stood at ?17,970.63 crore, while its debt-equity ratio was 3.63. The total debt-to-assets ratio stood at 0.76, net profit margin at 27.3%, gross NPAs at 1.04%, and net NPAs at 0.69%. The company also recovered ?59 crore from the total written-off pool during the quarter.

Return on assets (ROA) was 2.73% in Q2 FY26 and 2.65% in H1 FY26, while the capital adequacy ratio (CRAR) stood at 29.8% as of September 30, 2025. Assets under management (AUM) grew 12.3% year-on-year to ?83,879 crore, while loan assets rose 17% to ?79,439 crore. The affordable and emerging markets segment expanded 34% year-on-year, now contributing 38% of the retail loan portfolio.

Disbursements increased 12.2% year-on-year to ?5,995 crore in Q2 FY26, with the affordable segment growing 30.7% over the same period. The company’s cost of borrowing declined to 7.69% in Q2 FY26 from 7.84% in Q2 FY25, while the spread on loans improved to 2.26% from 2.21%. Benefiting from recoveries from the written-off pool, credit cost was -53 bps in Q2 FY26 compared with -24 bps in Q2 FY25. The corporate loan book stood at ?332 crore as of September 30, 2025, marking a sharp 78.3% reduction compared with the same date last year.

Residents can be assured that the scheme offering 100 units of free electricity to domestic consumers will continue, according to the local electricity distribution authority. The authority refuted recent social media rumours claiming that the free power scheme would be discontinued due to alleged misuse by some users. It clarified that there are no plans to withdraw the benefit and that consumers will continue to receive the concessions under the existing policy.

The clarification came after false posts circulated online, suggesting that the free first 100 units would be revoked because of financial losses attributed to misuse. “The information being shared on social media is incorrect. For official updates, please refer to our official website,” the authority stated on a social media platform. Officials also emphasised that any change in such a policy can only be decided by the state government. “No such proposal has been made. The free electricity scheme remains unchanged,” they confirmed.

Under the current structure, domestic users can consume up to 100 units of electricity free of cost, while the next 100 units are billed at half the base rate—provided their total bi-monthly usage does not exceed 500 units. The government offsets the resulting revenue loss through subsidies.

Meanwhile, the authority has announced a scheduled power shutdown on Monday (September 9) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for maintenance activities. The affected areas include several localities in the region.

Despite the Survey and Settlement Commissionerate digitizing land records and linking the software systems of the revenue and registration departments to simplify patta transfers, residents in Chennai continue to face long delays. Several applicants said they have to wait weeks for title changes to reflect in their patta after registering a property. In the past, the patta transfer process was tedious for both buyers and sellers, requiring mandatory visits to the taluk office for land measurement and other record-related services. The system has since been moved online, reducing processing time and minimizing opportunities for corruption. Under the new setup, a title change in the patta is supposed to happen instantly—within a minute of registering a property—if no land subdivision is involved. Such cases result in a “fulfilled patta,” available for download at https://eservices.tn.gov.in. However, when a property involves subdivision and multiple buyers, the application is redirected to the local Village Administrative Officer (VAO) or surveyor, with a 30-day timeframe for completion. In practice, though, the system’s efficiency seems inconsistent. Lawyer and activist Sandhya Vedullapalli, who registered property in South Chennai in September, said she is still waiting for her updated patta. Likewise, Priya (name changed), who purchased an apartment in Perambur three months ago, has not received hers either. “This system seemed to work well initially,” Sandhya said. “But now, even after several weeks, patta transfers following registration are pending. It feels like the old issues of delays and indirect corruption have resurfaced.” An official from the Commissionerate clarified that in cases involving land subdivision, applications are routed to the VAO or surveyor, and pattas are expected to be issued within 30 days.

One city has emerged as India’s top-performing residential real estate market, according to the latest Housing Sentiment Index (HSI) Report for JAS 2025, earning an impressive score of 163. The report highlights this city as the most optimistic housing market in the country, reflecting high levels of buyer confidence and renewed enthusiasm for property investment. This positive sentiment is driven by the city’s strong commercial expansion and ongoing infrastructure upgrades, which are boosting housing demand and encouraging new project launches.

Affordable property values, combined with solid market fundamentals, have enabled the city to surpass several traditionally premium markets. Buyer activity is particularly strong in peripheral areas, where good connectivity and competitive pricing attract a wide range of purchasers. Compact and semi-furnished homes between 500 and 1,000 sq. ft. continue to dominate demand, with apartments and builder floors remaining the preferred housing types due to their flexibility and independence.

The report further notes that the housing momentum is driven primarily by end-users rather than speculative investors. Young professionals and working individuals make up the majority of active buyers, while older generations maintain steady participation. Demand is particularly robust among buyers earning ?10–30 lakh annually, underlining that the city’s market growth is rooted in genuine affordability rather than speculation.

Overall, the city’s consistent performance and broad-based buyer confidence reinforce its standing as one of India’s most resilient and sustainable housing markets.

An anti-corruption NGO has accused several state government departments of illegally granting approvals for a ?2,000-crore housing project allegedly planned within the ecologically sensitive wetland in a suburban area. In a complaint submitted to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, and the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), the NGO alleged that the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and the metropolitan development authority had issued environmental clearance and construction approval for specific survey numbers, which the NGO claims fall within the wetland area. The organisation said it has attached a 213-page annexure of evidence to support its claims.

Citing official maps of the protected site and the metropolitan authority’s influence zone, the NGO stated that the survey numbers cover 14.7 acres within the wetland boundaries, which were notified in 2022. Despite this, the developer behind the project applied to SEIAA for environmental clearance in August 2023 and to the metropolitan authority for construction plan approval in February 2024, proposing 1,250 dwelling units. The NGO accused the developer of falsely claiming that the project site was 1.2 km away from the wetland, whereas in reality, it is adjacent to a survey number recorded as part of the wetland in government records.

While SEIAA granted permission for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and sought further details — including the project’s exact boundary coordinates in relation to the wetland — the developer reportedly asked forest officials for clarification. Following an inspection, the Forest Department stated that the site was 65 metres from the wetland, with a “revenue land parcel” in between. However, the NGO noted that the survey number of this intervening parcel was not disclosed, calling it a sign of possible irregularities.

The NGO further cited historical land records, stating that in the 1911 resettlement register, the last survey number was 445. A survey number corresponding to the wetland was later subdivided to create new numbers, facilitating the conversion of wetland into revenue plots. The total area under this survey number, once 643.9 acres in 1911, had shrunk to just 6.1 acres by 1993. Today, only 50 acres are officially marked as wetland.

According to the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, wetlands cannot be converted for non-wetland use, and permanent construction is strictly prohibited. A convenor of the NGO stated that the wetland is designated as a protected area. "This is a clear case of collusion," they said. Repeated attempts to contact the relevant officials for comment were unsuccessful. A spokesperson for the developer said, “This is a joint development project with the landowner. The land is privately held.”

Salaries across India are expected to grow by 9% in 2026, with the real estate and non-banking financial companies (NBFC) sectors driving much of this growth, according to a new report by a global professional services firm. The real estate and infrastructure sector is projected to record one of the strongest pay hikes—10.9% in 2026, up from 10.5% in 2025. This continued momentum is supported by government-led capital investments, rising real estate activity in both commercial and residential markets, and greater institutional participation.

Policy reforms and infrastructure spending have significantly improved hiring sentiment. Real estate and NBFCs are leading in talent investments, as organizations adjust pay strategies to maintain growth and workforce stability. Among financial institutions, NBFCs are expected to see the largest average salary increase at 10%, followed by asset management firms (9.5%) and banks (8.6%). Other industries such as retail (9.6%), life sciences (9.6%), and engineering design services (9.7%) are also forecast to experience robust pay growth.

In contrast, technology consulting and services remain conservative, with projected salary hikes of only 6.8%, as companies emphasize efficiency and cost control amid global challenges. India’s employee attrition rate has dropped to 17.1% in 2025, the lowest in five years, compared to 17.7% in 2024 and 18.7% in 2023. However, involuntary exits have risen slightly to 4.6%, reflecting a focus on performance-based restructuring and workforce optimization.

Organizations are increasingly shifting from “just-in-time” to “just-in-case” workforce planning to improve resilience against supply chain and trade disruptions. The integration of AI and automation is further reshaping roles and helping reduce long-term labor costs. The report expects organized sectors—especially real estate and financial services—to continue outperforming the broader market in terms of salary growth. With better retention, stable inflation, and targeted rewards, employers appear to be moving from aggressive hiring to strategic workforce consolidation, ensuring sustained productivity and profitability in FY26 and beyond.

A housing finance company registered an 18.89% growth in net profit for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared to the same period last year. The company reported a profit after tax (PAT) of ?X crore, reflecting strong financial performance despite market challenges. The company’s total income for Q2 FY26 stood at ?X crore, showing a solid year-on-year increase, driven by improved loan disbursements and a healthy increase in assets under management.

The company’s loan portfolio saw significant growth during the quarter, with an increase in both retail and affordable housing loans, in line with the government's focus on promoting homeownership. The company's cost of funds remained stable, while the non-performing assets (NPAs) continued to stay under control, reflecting its strong asset quality management.

The company also saw an uptick in disbursements, particularly in the affordable housing segment, with a notable increase in new home loan applications. The management expressed confidence in maintaining the growth trajectory for the remainder of FY26, supported by a strong pipeline of new projects and increased demand in key market segments.

Here’s a rephrased version of the text that conveys the same meaning:The Madras High Court has clarified that Sub-registrars have the authority to reject the registration of a plot as a house site unless it has received approval from the planning authorities, as required under the Registration Act. A division bench consisting  made this ruling while allowing an appeal filed by the Sub-Registrar of Salem West, who had challenged a single judge's decision from July 1, 2024. The single judge's order had set aside the Sub-Registrar’s refusal to register the plot. The issue  filed a petition against the Sub-Registrar's decision to reject the registration of a settlement deed for a 3,508-square-foot plot in 2021. The rejection was based on the lack of approval for the plot to be used as a house site, as stipulated under Section 22A of the Registration Act. In response, the single judge ruled in favor of Rajamanickam, directing that the plot be registered as a house site, given that surrounding plots had been registered in the same manner. Dissatisfied with the ruling, the Sub-Registrar appealed. In its decision, the bench referenced Section 22A(2) of the Registration Act, emphasizing that the registering authority has the discretion to deny registration of any instrument transferring land ownership if the land is designated as a house site without the proper clearance from the planning authority. The bench noted that the settlement deed presented for registration did not include approval from the planning authority for the plot in question. According to the law, if a plot has not previously been registered as a house site, it cannot be registered as one without the appropriate approval. However, if it has been previously registered as a house site, it may be re-registered accordingly.

The Tamil Nadu government has amended the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019, easing the parking space requirements for large new homes. According to the amendment issued on October 10, homes built on plots measuring 3,200 sq ft (or 300 sq m) and above must now provide parking space for at least four cars and four two-wheelers. This updated rule applies to residential buildings in corporations, municipalities, and town panchayats. For smaller plots, the earlier rule remains unchanged—homeowners must still allocate space for two cars and two two-wheelers. The Builders Association of India said the change effectively increases the usable Floor Space Index (FSI)—which means builders now have more flexibility in how they use the total buildable area. FSI defines how much floor area can be constructed on a plot relative to its size. Previously, parking spaces, staircases, and other service areas were excluded from the buildable limit. Under the 2019 rules, one car parking space was needed for every 75 sq m of built-up area. So, a 5,000 sq ft house needed five car parking spaces, which often reduced the usable living area. With the relaxed rule, builders can now reclaim some of that space for additional rooms or other living features. However, some urban planners have raised concerns. A city planner, warned that the reduced parking requirements could lead to more vehicles being parked on the streets, worsening traffic and reducing public space. Many residents already park extra or unused vehicles on the roads, and this change could increase that problem.

The government announced on Tuesday that limestone will now be fully classified as a major mineral, removing earlier distinctions based on its use. This change is expected to improve the ease of doing business by allowing leaseholders to mine, sell, or use limestone without restrictions based on its end use. Previously, limestone was treated as both a minor and major mineral depending on how it was used. If used to make lime for building materials in kilns, it was classified as a minor mineral, but if used for making cement, fertilizers, chemicals, sugar, or steel, it was considered a major mineral.

To ensure a smooth transition, the Ministry of Mines issued an order on October 13, 2025, stating that all current minor mineral leases for limestone will now be treated as major mineral leases, without disruption. This decision followed recommendations from an inter-ministerial committee, which consulted with industry stakeholders. The change addresses the declining availability of limestone for lime-making, as most limestone is now used by industries like cement and chemicals.

By removing limestone from the minor minerals list, the government has met a long-standing demand from leaseholders, who can now freely sell limestone to cement and other industries. This move is expected to boost construction activity, create jobs, and support economic growth.

On October 6, it was announced that the NHB will extend PCE to secured non-convertible debentures (NCDs) issued by these companies. The objective is also to help HFCs diversify their funding sources and reduce their over-reliance on traditional funding methods. The facility will be available to non-deposit-taking HFCs with an asset base of at least ?1,000 crore, provided they have a credit rating of 'A+' from two rating agencies. Furthermore, these companies must maintain gross and net non-performing assets below 2.5% and 1.5%, respectively, to qualify.

To attract investors at competitive rates, the bonds issued by HFCs must carry sufficiently high credit ratings. Many HFCs are unable to issue bonds due to lower ratings from credit agencies, often because of a mismatch between their assets and liabilities. A basis point refers to one-hundredth of a percentage point.

The PCE will cover up to 50% of the bond issue size, with a minimum issue size of ?50 crore. The bonds will have a tenure of 3 to 5 years, and the proceeds must only be used to refinance existing debt. HFCs are required to submit a certificate from a statutory auditor within seven days of receiving the funds. The PCE, which will be provided as an irrevocable contingent line of credit, is expected to improve the external credit ratings of the bonds, allowing HFCs to raise funds at more favorable rates.