A POPULOUS BUDGET 2017-18 ON THE CARDS

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With another year passing by and the date for Union Budget 2017-18 fixed for 1st February, all eyes and ears are now eagerly awaiting for this year’s Union Budget which is expected to offer relief to the majority of the population. Also, looking into the political angle of the same, it is no coincidence that the dates for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections have been planned just after the Budget announcement. Thus, it is quite evident that a populous Budget is on its way. One of the country’s largest contributor towards Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment generation, real estate sector, is extremely hopeful for a fruitful Budget 2017-18. For the last couple of months, central government has been proactive in terms of providing relief to this sector, its stakeholders and the buyers. Passage of RERA and GST last year, recently concluded 50 days of demonetisation, affordable housing incentives by the Prime Minister on the New Year Eve of 2017 and the relief provided by several banks through lending rate cuts on the New Year day has provided much needed fuel to the realty sector entering into 2017. With such activity, hopes are high for a positive budget for the realty sector this time, if not directly then at least through indirect means. Although, there are mixed reactions from the realty sector’s stalwarts and experts who somewhere believe that a balanced budget might be announced, where there will not be many benefits for the realty sector; but indirect announcements such as exemptions in tax slabs, etc. that might help the consumers to increase their purchasing power and thus, maintain the flow of money in the economy. Industry Reactions and Expectations: . This time we are predicting the government to ease the taxation slabs and provide higher spending power to the consumers that will indirectly benefit the economy and the realty sector. Infrastructure will be a crucial side where the government might announce big projects and greater spending. This in return will allow the conversion of rural to urban regions, thereby promoting tier 2 and 3 cities to gain real estate momentum and increase job opportunities. - Avneesh Sood, Director, Eros Group This Budget must focus upon providing such benefit to the masses and provide clarity over projects been covered under this scheme. Industry status for the realty sector has been long awaited and it would be a game changer for the sector if it is granted this time. Also, clarity over the slab of GST where the realty sector will fall is still uncovered. Overall, it is expected that Union Budget 2017-18 will be a common man’s budget where positive changes in the income tax structure is highly anticipated. - Deepak Kapoor, President CREDAI-Western U.P. & Director, GulshanHomz Huge amount for infra development may be announced this year as well especially for developing regions of the country falling under AMRUT scheme. Apart from that, GST’s proper implementation, relief on income tax, more incentives for digital means of transacting and promoting REITs and InvITs might be amongst the highlights from the upcoming Budget. No direct benefits for the sector are expected at this time. - Ashok Gupta, CMD, Ajnara India Ltd. This Union Budget, policies for allied industries such as steel and cement needs to be standardised as it indirectly affects the cost of housing units. Finally, changes in the tax slabs are pretty much on the cards that will allow young working class to look upto real estate as an avenue for investment or even residing. - Dhiraj Jain, Director, Mahagun Group This year’s budget will focus upon improving infrastructure in the country in order to bring smaller regions into the limelight. Making changes in the income tax slabs will allow higher savings and better spending capacity for the public, thus allowing people to look at real estate as an attractive avenue for residing and investment purpose. - PradeepAggarwal, Chairman, Signature Global This year’s budget might not offer much to the realty sector directly as the government has already been offering benefits and incentives during the course of year 2016. - AshwaniPrakash, Executive Director, Paramount Group . Rebates on income tax, clarity over GST and RERA, easing norms for FDI, making route for REITs and InvITs easier and passage of the long awaited land acquisition bill should be in plan for the upcoming budget session 2017-18. - Vikas Bhasin, MD, Saya Group.