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The Hindu : Mapping your neighbourhoodA Geographical Information System-based pilot project is in the process of being taken up in Kochi, writes K.S. SudhiSatellites are the latest tools that urban planners are using to bring about the orderly development of cities. Detailed maps with the latest technology can give them that much-needed extra edge in charting out evolving cityscapes and keeping tabs on infrastructure. This is true of Kochi too.The Centre for Earth Science Studies has been entrusted with the task of developing a detailed base map in 1:4000 scale (1 cm on the map representing 40 m on the ground) for the city. Satellite imagery and overlay urban land use features will be generated for marking out existing urban infrastructure facilities and planning new and additional facilities, according to officials of the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project (KSUDP).The KSUDP has been functioning as the nodal agency for the Asian Development Bank-aided projects in municipal corporations of the State and also the schemes that are implemented with the support of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.Important toolAt present, no municipal corporation in the State possesses a city base map with geographical and land use features depicting urban sprawl and various facilities required for infrastructure planning.The project is to create a city base map using the Global Information System (GIS). GIS can be an important tool for all organisations dealing with assets, people, or operations that are spread over some area. This includes local, district, State and Union administrations, as well as utility companies and corporations, according to the concept note prepared by the authorities.The city base map generated using GIS will find a wide range of applications, including property tax mapping, planning and land use, re-limiting of ward boundaries, engineering and public works and emergency response.GIS can be used to store property tax points and link them to the assessment register containing tax…More

The Hindu : Bring bamboo to the mainstream, it is green gold for buildings. Our passion and goal rests in taking the message across to the construction industry and to architects and builders. So says Vaibhav Kaley, Director, Wonder Grass.Why is Vaibhav vociferously recommending the use of bamboo at a time when steel and hollow blocks are an accepted norm for shaping a building?Consider this: 40 per cent of the world’s bamboo forests are in India but India ends up shredding a portion only for paper pulp, rather than for construction.“Isn’t this sad,” rues Vaibhav. “On the one hand we have acres of good building material source available with us, and on the other, there is a rising demand for sustainable building materials. Why don’t we bridge the gap by taking up bamboo in construction?”Treatment neededThere arises a question whether bamboo suits the construction industry at all. “It is bio-degradable but durability and longevity depend on the quality of seasoning, and some special treatment would see the mature grass go on and on for more than 40 years,” avers Vaibhav.The company, Wonder Grass, was formed by Vaibhav Kaley, Sachin Sachar and Nachiket Kaley and is now a part of Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore under the N.S. Raghavan Center for Entrepreneurship Learning, receiving mentoring for making the endeavour a business enterprise, and creating an awareness on the characteristics of this special grass.“My father, Vinoo Kaley, was fondly remembered as the ‘Bamboo Man.’ He envisaged the greatness of the grass for sustainable technology three decades ago, visualised it for some of the best design aesthetics in buildings and foresaw a future for it as an immense construction material.He has also written a book ‘Venu Bharati’ wherein one can have all information on the plant anatomy and its applications.”Bamboo was once used for scaffolding, but steel has replaced it now. Primitive methods of joinery using jute strands made the…More

The Hindu : Lampshades are an effective way of directing the flow of light and thus occupy an important place in interior decoration. Till very recently, the choice was limited to plain lampshades of synthetic fabric pleated between two circular frames. Not anymore. Now, they are the medium through which a designer’s creativity flows. The variety now available has the ‘designer’ element added to it.There is a tiny segment from rural Andhra Pradesh which benefits from the new found love for various kinds of lamp shades.Nimmalakunta near Dharmavaram in Anantapur district has traditionally been famous for its leather puppetry. It had acquired the distinction 500 years ago when a few families of puppet artisans migrated from Maharashtra to Anantapur.Exceptional craftThe artisans acquired name and fame across the State with their exceptional craft of etching epic tales on leather. They would purchase raw leather, process it and create indelible impressions of traditional grandeur with the simple instrument of a palm twig.It would be a revelation for many to know that the much renowned comic characters of ‘Kethigadu’ and ‘Bangarakka’ who enriched the puppetry tradition of the State originated from Nimmalakunta.In course of time, the puppeteers of Nimmalakunta had to shed their traditional source of livelihood with the advent of mechanised entertainment in the form of movies and television. However, they refused to part with the traditional art that they nourished and cherished for centuries.Instead, they moulded it to suit the changing trends and tastes. As a result, lampshades emerging from Nimmalakunta now have a sizeable market in many parts of the country.The artisans are allowed free space for setting up stalls at handicrafts exhibitions promoted by the government.“A strip of leather is initially wound around the frame of the lampshade. We use burnt ashes and a palm twig to draw outlines of the painting. To fill the spaces, we use vegetable colours. The colours are also prepared by us,”…More

The Hindu : Will loss of the original deed diminish value?The IT Department acquired a property at Gandhi Nagar in Chennai when the agreement for sale relating to the property was submitted for getting the ‘No Objection’ certificate. This was done on the ground that the apparent consideration was less than the market value. Thedepartment made an assessment and found that the difference between the market value and the registered value was more than 15 per cent.Risk factorThe parties involved submitted that one of the reasons for the reduction in price was that the original title deed of the property was lost and the buyer was willing to take the risk and make alternative arrangements for it.The additional cost so incurred was adjusted inpricing of the property. However the department overruled this and acquired the property.The parties appealed (289 ITR 61 ( Mad) Ashok Leyland Finance Ltd vs Appropriate Authority, IT Department, judgment dated 12-12-2006 ) and a single judge dismissed it. The parties subsequently appealed against the order of the single judge.The division bench set aside the order of the single judge and also quashed the pre-emptive purchase by the IT Department. The High Court observed that the loss of title deed of the property was one of the relevant factors and it would undoubtedly diminish the value of the property.C.H. GOPINATHA RAO(The author is National President, Institution of Valuers)…More

The Hindu : Will the boom timespill over?The year 2007 saw plenty of excitement in the home loan segment. It also has a few lessons for home loan borrowers, says SRIKALA BHASHYAMEvery New Year brings in fresh opportunities and it is time to take a fresh guard at the beginning of the year. While equity investors had a lot to cheer, it was not very different for property buyers who have had an unprecedented boom time in the last 3-4 years. The big question is: will the boom time spill over to the current year too?The coming year could probably be more challenging for property investors as noise of correction is being heard much louder than earlier. While there have been concerns on the supply side as buyers are being wooed like never before, it is likely to be an interesting year for those who invest in property for their own use. More so for those who rely on home loans to fund their property purchase.VolatileAs you are aware, the year 2007 was one of the most volatile markets for home loan seekers with interest rates fluctuating over a wide range. The year saw the loan rates going up from 8-9 per cent level to 10-11 per cent and in some cases, banks pushed their rates to even 12 per cent.The rise, of course, dramatically changed the cash flow equations for property buyers as suddenly they were forced to cough up higher EMIs. With average loan ticket size being well over Rs. 10 lakh in most cities, the increase in EMI was substantial for many.While rates have stabilised at around 10-11 per cent, the last year’s home loan scenario offers some tips for those who are looking at fresh loans for the current year.Don’t trade in propertyThe ever increasing real estate prices had pushed many to look at real estate as a trading option similar to equity and…More

The Hindu : Protection offundamental rightsN.C.S RAGHAVAN & ARVIND RAGHAVANWe have discussed earlier the fundamental rights relating to equality before law for every person and a fundamental right of person not to be discriminated against purely on the grounds of religion, caste, sex or place of birth. The other fundamental rights can be listed as follows:Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment (Article 16).Parliament and State Governments, however, have the right to enact special laws for the benefit of citizens belonging to Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.The practice of untouchability “is totally prohibited and is made into an offence” (Article 17).No title will be conferred on any person or persons otherwise based on academic and military distinction and performances (Article 18).Protection of right of freedom of speech and other rights (Article 19). These include the rightto freedom of speech and expression;to assemble peaceably and without arms;to form associations or unions;to move freely throughout the territory of India;to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India;to practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.RestrictionsHowever, Parliament and State Governments have been given powers to bring reasonable restrictions to these rights for the purposes of maintaining the security of the country and also for the purposes of carrying out or practising any profession or occupation based on professional or technical qualifications.No person can be convicted of an offence for an act committed earlier unless such an act was an offence even at the time of the commission of an act (Article 20).No person shall be prosecuted or punished for the same offence more than once.No person can be compelled to be a witness against himself in respect of any offence for which he is tried (Article 20).No person can be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to the procedure established by law (Article 21).The State shall provide free…More

The Hindu : Granite is still sought afterAmong several flooring options available in the market, granite is still the most sought after. And the shades of this stone range from majestic Pearl Black to the sober hues of Red. Granites are available in two alternatives: slabs and tiles. The thickness of slabs varies from 16 mm to 18 mm while tiles come in the range of 8 mm to 10 mm, depending on the quality that is being purchased.Price rangePrices range from Rs.35 to Rs.100 for tiles of 2 sq. ft. by 1 sq. ft. size and slabs are priced between Rs.60 and Rs.350 per sq. ft. depending on size that ranges from 4 sq. ft. by 2 sq. ft. to 10 sq. ft. by 6 sq. ft.Granites from Andhra Pradesh are classified according to their colour. “Black granite is an internationally approved stone and is used in many contemporary structures as kitchen counter, bathroom counter and table. A different type of granite, Black Galaxy, has good market demand in the U.S.,” says Dhiraj Bansal of Bansal Marble and Granites.“The other types in demand include Steel Grey and Pearl Black,” he adds. These varieties cost between Rs.30 and Rs.45 per sq. ft.Coloured granite from Karnataka includes Sadari White, a creamish colour, and Hassan green. These stones are priced between Rs.55 and Rs.65 per sq. ft. Those from Tamil Nadu — Rare Silk, Palva Gold, Kashmir Gold, Kashmir White and Yellow Fantasy —range from Rs.55 to Rs.65 per sq. ft. Priced between Rs.85 and Rs.120 per sq. ft. are Seaweed Green, River Green and Bama Blues from Orissa. Granite from Rajasthan comes in colours, predominantly red. Colours such as Sindhuri Red, Nagina Green and Copper Silk are priced between Rs.35 and Rs.100.ABHIJIT DEV KUMAR…More

The Hindu : An FAQ on family arrangementThere are some complex factors about family property which need to be clarified, says R.L. NARAYANANThere is an impression that the more complex a document , the greater its value. This is not correct. Certain documents reducing an oral family arrangement to record are those which cover large-value properties. The documents may be so simple that the simplicity itself may throw doubt on the documentation. Further, this is a matter which frequently comes up for discussions. The relevant queries are collated in question-answer format to enable an easy understanding.1. What is a family arrangement?Broadly speaking, it is an arrangement or an agreement between members of one family. It is usually in the nature of settling a dispute. The object is to preserve the property and the good name of the family by recognising that it is not in the good interest of the family for the members to engage in fights or disputes. It is essentially in the nature of a compromise. The idea is to preserve and protect the peace, security and the interest of the family and its members as a whole.2. What are the critical aspects of a family arrangement?The arrangement should be made in good faith. Good faith can be stated to be the essence of the family arrangement. It should not be made with a view to circumvent provisions of law relating to stamp duty or provide an advantageous position with regard to stamp duty and registration costs. It must not be in the nature of extinguishing or limiting the rights of a family member who is not a consenting party to the arrangement. It should be in the nature of settling disputes, promoting harmony and not in the nature of inciting disputes or disrupting the harmony. There should not be any fraud or undue influence played in any member or members of the family. It…More

The Hindu : The brokers are fading into oblivionReal estate advertising is a Rs. 1,500-crore business, saysM. Sai GopalA decade ago, the role of ‘middlemen’ in traditional Indian marriages was of utmost importance. These days, matrimonial websites hold sway. This analogy is fitting enough to describe the future of portals in the country which are entirely dedicated to advertising real estate. Websites are being launched thick and fast, eager to share the profits from the real estate gravy train.The real estate advertising in the country is a Rs.1,500 crore business and everybody is in a hurry to grab a share of it. By last count, there are 43 websites into the business, out of which only four to five are national players.Catching upAnalysts familiar with the industry do not bat an eyelid while claiming that it’s a matter of time before the real estate websites dominate traditional methods of ‘brokering’ a property deal.Such websites are also fast catching up with Non-Resident Indians, who are always on the look out to invest in the sector.Like the applicants compelling matrimonial websites to hold ‘Swayamvaram’ to have personal interactions, so are the large real estate clientele forcing websites to organise exhibitions to display their ventures.“Real estate websites are still in the nascent stage with a total share of just Rs.30 crore. But in the coming years, this particular sector is projected to increase by 150 to 200 per cent every year. They are like any job or matrimonial sites capable of providing information and frequently updating the users about new ventures,” says Business Head of ‘makaan.com’, Aditya Verma.In a free-wheeling interaction with The Hindu, Mr. Verma also pointed out that Hyderabad and Kochi have become the fast-emerging markets in the sector.Buying power“In South, after the real estate boom in Bangalore, it is Hyderabad and Kochi which are in huge demand. It is the buying power of IT and ITES professionals which…More

The Hindu : As the Indian economy grows at a rapid nine per cent, the use of water by industries will also grow at the same rate. While agriculture will continue to remain the largest consumer of water, it is expected that the demand from industries will also rise rapidly. Industries demand water at a point and discharge water at a point and therefore sustainable management of water is crucial not only to the industry but to the neighbourhood as well.The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) recently organised its National Award for Excellence in Water Management 2007 competition in the Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre in Hyderabad. A range of industries participated in the competition organized in two categories — ‘Within the fence’ and ‘Beyond the fence’. The way many industries highlighted their projects indicated how seriously they are taking management of water resources which is identified as one of the key resources, apart from energy, to be looked at as a critical input for sustaining growth.In the component called ‘Within the fence’, industries looked at conducting water audits and water flow charts to understand from source to sink where water was being used in their business and how consumption could be measured effectively and managed for efficiency. By using an indicator called ‘specific water consumption’ which measures production against unit consumption of water, industries were able to benchmark themselves against national and global standards of water efficiency. That many industries were ahead of global benchmarks in this respect was a heartening sign.The convenor of the event, L.S. Ganapati, has been constantly challenging the competitors to better themselves over their earlier efforts, literally to benchmark themselves once global standards are reached and this seemed to be the spirit of the efforts.ChallengeIndustries are increasingly being confronted by source sustainability issues. The depletion or reduction of current source or completely drying up is a constant challenge they face. Multiple sourcing…More