Change of fortune
Malls, multiplexes and housing projects worth over 2,000 crore have turned the 10-km-long stretch along the left side of the four-lane NH 1 from Ludhiana to Sutlej bridge into a virtual goldmine for realtors, reports Jupinderjit Singh 
The wheel of fortune seems to have made a full circle as from being a virtual “desert road” as far as the value of property and development were concerned, the 10-km-long stretch along the left side of the four-lane National Highway 1 from Ludhiana to Sutlej bridge, has now turned into a virtual goldmine for realtors.

Paradox of Peer Machchala
Ruchika M. Khanna
In a strange paradox, just 500 meters from the multi-storeyed buildings of Sector 20 in Panchkula, the rates of flats are almost half in the Peer Machchala area of Punjab. What is more interesting is the fact that while the apartments and penthouses in Peer Machchala are fully furnished, complete with modular kitchens and 24-hour power back-up, the more expensive flats in Sector 20 are ‘raw’.

TAX tips
What is meant by capital gain... 
The Income Tax Act, 1961 (the Act) contains provision with regard to the taxability of capital gains. Section 45 of the Act provides that any profit or gain arising from the transfer of a capital asset affected in the previous year shall be chargeable to Income-tax under the head “capital gains” and shall be deemed to be the income of the previous year in which the transfer took place.

Revision of circle rates in Uttarakhand
Realtors heave a sigh of relief
Raju William
The recent rollback of circle rates for evaluating stamp duty on land deals was expected as it was perceived to be having an adverse bearing on the flourishing the real estate business in the state since it came into being seven years ago. Alarmed over the slowdown of the realty sector in the state following an unprecedented enhancement of the circle rates from November 1, 2007, the BJP state government has reversed its decision in deference to popular demand.

REAL talk
Vipul group to invest Rs 600 cr in Punjab
Punit Beriwala, managing director of Vipul, shares his company’s plans for Punjab with Ruchika M Khanna
Vipul Limited, a flagship company of the Vipul Group, is now entering the real estate market in Punjab. Other than coming up with an integrated housing project, the group has big plans for expanding its hospitality business in the state.

Parsvnath, Indiabulls to bid for rlys’ land
Parsvnath Developers Ltd and Indiabulls Real Estate have come together to bid for 10 prime location plots being offered by the Indian Railways for commercial development across various cities. The two companies have already submitted the request for qualification (RFQ) for the 10 plots offered by Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) in the first phase.

GREEN HOUSE
Blooming bounty of bulbous plants
If adding a distinct touch to your garden is your goal then opt for bulbous plants and floor everyone with some exotic-looking flowers, says Satish Narula
When we talk about planting flowering plants we normally mention the summer or winter annuals. One of the less exploited options for landscaping and garden designing is the use of bulbous plants. Nature has given these plants a mechanism to fight adverse weather conditions as they preserve food in their succulent parts and ‘sleep’ to wake up again in favourable weather.

UAE construction firms in grip of minimum-wage fear
The proposed move of the Indian government to fix minimum wages for unskilled workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states has caused concerns among the construction companies in the UAE, as the budgets for the ongoing projects have been estimated on the basis of the existing wages. India announced 100 Bahraini Dinars (Dh976) as minimum wage for unskilled workers in Bahrain last week and a similar announcement is expected for the rest of the GCC countries (UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia) shortly.

Realty Bytes
DAMAC roadshows
Mumbai: DAMAC Properties, Middle East’s largest private sector master developer and luxury lifestyle provider, will be showcasing iconic properties through road shows across India. The company, in a release here, said the roadshow which kicked off from Delhi and had a presentation in Ahmedabad, would be held in Mumbai between February 14 and 20 and move to Bangalore in the final lap. DAMAC Properties would be showcasing its luxurious developments from across the UAE at these roadshows. — UNI