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TREND MILL Relax in the warmth of a glowing fire this winter, but don’t forget a steaming cuppa, a warm blanket and a good book Saurabh Malik Fireplaces are hot in the winters of 2008, literally. Electric, gas or wood-burning, they are stimulating the warmth of relationships not just in the cold climes of Shimla and higher reaches of Himalayas, but also in the plains of Amritsar and even Chandigarh. Oh yes, they were always the hot favourites. The age-old saying, "A fireplace makes a house into a home" is ample testimony to the burning reality. Whatever little doubts you may still nourish are easily removed by Joshi, a Chandigarh-based builder with operations in Himachal. He says some of the old houses built with care in Shimla and other hill stations during the days of the Raj had fireplaces in them. "The trend was replicated by builders in the plains," he asserts. "In fact, many old sarkari houses in Chandigarh still have them." Customary is only modish now. The trend has not just survived the onslaught of air-conditioners and blowers but has attained the proportions of a manner — if not just for utility -- for style. The Sharmas renovated their house in Ludhiana's Kichlu Nagar. The entire façade underwent a metamorphosis -- old walls were pulled down and gables set up. But businessman Vinod Sharma's house still boasts of a fireplace with an electric chimney — that's the only addition the family has done to the hearth. Sandhus have it in their house in Sector 36, Chandigarh. Dr G.S. Sandhu and his wife Babbu Tir, in fact, brought a heater for the new, yet quaint, fireplace all the way from England to offer the warmth of traditional hospitality to the guests. If you too are burning with desire to have a fireplace at your house, don't let the project of your longing hang fire. But before you go in for a hearth, put a few posers to yourself. Do you want a wood-burning fireplace or one with a gas connection? You could also have an electric fireplace. And, if you choose a gas or electric one, do you want a remote handy or control it manually? Before you answer the questions, consider your lifestyle, budget and personal preferences. Also size and placement matters! Wood-burning fireplaces have been in for long. But a masonry fireplace means higher installation costs due to labour and not-so-inexpensive stone or brick. On the other hand, readymade units, available in lifestyle stores, are faster and easier to install. In any case, wood burning fireplaces are best where erratic electric supply leaves you powerless. The drawbacks include constant cleaning of ashes and hauling wood. The possibility of smoke stains on the exterior face, if drafting problem develops, can never be ruled out. A gas fireplace can be installed almost anywhere in the house. It's generally cheaper and more efficient. These ensure clean burning and require little maintenance. But at the same time you need to inspect constantly the burner, the fan and the thermostat. LPG supply too can be a problem. Electric fireplaces may look a bit synthetic with electric bulbs giving glow to the artificial coals. But then, no real installation costs are involved unless you need to pull up a wire to the point where you want to the fireplace to be. Well, you can even use the blower sans heater in the summers. Now fellows, warm up to the trend and get going!
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The elusive dream home BANKS may be reducing home loans to make it easier for the common man to get a roof overhead, but the Punjab government's policy on colonisation has scuttled buying plans of hundreds of home seekers already hit by skyrocketing land prices in the state. Notified by the SAD-BJP government on coming to power in 2007, the policy had jacked up the change of land use (CLU) fee and levied an external development charge (EDC). The CLU fee was increased 10 times from Rs 3.5 lakh for every acre of land to be developed into a colony to a whopping Rs 35 lakh! Besides, an amount of Rs 7 lakh was also levied as EDC for every acre. On paper, the charge is levied directly on colonisers, but the latter have conveniently passed it on, resulting in a double whammy of sorts for buyers. The levies did not pinch bigger players catering to the affluent, but the small real estate agents were affected and so was the common man as property went farther out of reach. "Land is already very expensive and post the government decision, prices have risen by Rs 1,000 to 1,200 a square yard. We cannot afford to pay the difference and have to pass on the hike to the buyer," said Kamal Chatley, an officer-bearer of the Ludhiana Real Estate Agents Association. Another government policy of minimum area for setting up a colony is also playing spoilsport. It says that a colony can only be developed on 75 acres of land. Though made in the interest of properly planned colonisation, experts feel it came too late. As limited land was available in the 15-20 km radius of municipal limits of a city, unapproved colonies mushroomed. But since SAD-BJP government took over and implemented the new policy, not many approved colonies have come up in Ludhiana, claimed Chatley. "No builder is willing to set up a colony in 75 acres and pay the government so much money, as it would be difficult to sell residential plots. It was lucrative for buyers also to buy land in an unapproved colony for Rs 5-7,000 a square yard than to shell out Rs 12-15,000 a square yard, that too far from the city," said Chatley. A Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) official agreed that not many builders had applied for approval after the new policy. “Earlier, the approval process was inexpensive but not any more. Nobody seems to want to build a colony any more. This is causing a plethora of problems for the common man, PUDA and colonisers," he said, requesting anonymity. While colonisers did not care to put the papers in place while setting up a colony, and buyers did not check antecedents of their dream house. They would only realise that they were buying a home in an unapproved colony while getting the sale deed registered. Even at that point, colonisers managed to convince most to go ahead with the deal on a power of attorney, saying the matter would be sorted out soon. “Such is the importance of owning a house in this country that people fail to think straight when an opportunity to buy a house presents itself. And then there are the garrulous colonisers who sound so convincing," said the authority official. Real estate dealers are vociferous in slamming the policy, saying they were already stung by the meltdown and that the government policies were negating their efforts to keep housing “affordable”. "To check mushrooming of unauthorised colonies and help the wobbly real estate sector, the government should levy a nominal charge for approval of a colony. This would help both the government and common man," said Parminder Singh, a real estate agent. He suggested that the government consider regularising unapproved colonies by charging a nominal fee, as had been done in Himachal Pradesh. “A similar step is needed in Punjab. It would be the best New Year gift for residents,” said Singh.
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Paint Magic Wooden surfaces can either be painted or polished. If you are using teak or sheesham, go for transparent polish to enhance the beauty of the grain Jagvir Goyal BEFORE painting wooden surfaces such as doors, windows and ventilators, first decide whether you want an opaque or transparent finish. For opaque finish, use synthetic enamel paints meant for wood. These paints protect the woodwork and enhance its life. Take care that once an opaque paint finish is chosen, it becomes very difficult to convert it into transparent finish at a later stage. You have to burn all the paint with blowlamps. For transparent surface finish, choose polish. Further, choose from melamine-based, polyurethane-based or French polish finishes. Note that synthetic enamels don't look as good as transparent polish on wood. These act just as protectors. To enhance the beauty of wood grain, go for transparent polish. Before painting woodwork, remove all loose particles by using emery paper no. 180 to rub wood. Ensure there is no dust in the air. Sweep clean the rooms a day earlier. Ask the painter to apply the paper along the grains of the wood and not across them. Apply putty around knots. When it dries up, apply little varnish over it. Don't use water to clean wooden surfaces. Now apply a coat of primer. Allow it to dry for six-eight hours. Next, apply putty to fill all cracks in the wood and to remove unevenness of the surface. Again allow to dry for six hours and sandpaper again with no. 180. Wipe off all the dust produced and apply another coat of thin primer. Allow to dry for six hours and this time sandpaper with no. 320. The surface is now ready to receive the final coat of paint or polish. The brushes
CHOOSE carefully, for, these are vital for an excellent finish. A good painter always knows the difference between good and bad brushes. To others, they may look alike. You need four kinds — six-inch wide ones for large flat surfaces, 2.5-inch for trim work, 1.5-inch for sash work and a round, small brush to reach spots that are hard to reach. Always choose high quality brushes. These have both short and long bristles tapered to usable edge. Bristles should have naturally or artificially split ends to hold the paint from dripping. Use brushes with natural bristles for any kind of surface or paint. Brushes with nylon bristles should be used for cement paint or latex-based paints only. Dipping: While painting walls or any other surface, never dip brush fully in can. Dip only so much that one-third bristles are covered with paint. Never remove excess paint from bristles by squeezing against rim or wall of the tin. Instead, tap the brush lightly to remove excess paint. For best results on any surface, brush down to up, then up to down, then right to left and then left to right. Ensure slower and longer strokes. Stirring: To stir the paint well in the can before start of painting work, don't use the brush itself. Use a wooden rod for this. Ask the painter to keep stirring the paint during painting work also. General tendency of using the brush itself for stirring should be avoided. Washing: Always wash new brushes well with soap solution. For brushes to be used for synthetic enamel paints, prepare a mixture of linseed oil and white spirit and keep the brushes dipped in it at the end of the day to keep them soft and usable. Whenever there is a change of shade, always clean a brush well with turpentine oil followed by soap solution. Note that the brushes used for distempering work only can be washed with simple hot water and soap solution.
The paint
SEE to it that the synthetic enamel paint you choose is as per IS 2932 and not IS 2933. IS 2933 paints are enamel paints while IS 2932 paints are synthetic enamel paints. After the final coat, no brush marks should be visible on painted doors and windows, nor should it look like a thick layer of paint is flowing downwards. Always allow sufficient time to elapse before applying the second coat. A simple test for this is to rub sandpaper on the first coat. If no paint comes off, it's ready for the second coat. Light sandpaper application can be made after the first coat. Generally 24 hours are required for a paint coat to dry fully. Note that ready mixed paints will give an output of about 8 sq.m a litre for two coats while synthetic enamel paints will cover about 7 sq.m a litre in two coats. Thinning
guide: In order to make the paint easily applicable, it may need some thinning. Add thinner as per manufacturer's instructions only. If he advises against it, listen! If the manufacturer advises use of thinner, use turpentine oil or Dulux thinner. It shouldn't affect the colour or uniformity of the paint. Over-thinning of paint will eliminate its gloss or shine, ending in a dull surface. Under thinning may leave a paint too viscous, making it difficult to apply. As already explained, under-thinned paints also result in appearance of brush marks on the walls. Note that while using spray guns instead of brushes, extra thinning of paint may be required. Precautions: Thoroughly stir paint in the can before applying as most of it tends to settle at the bottom. See that over thinning of paint is not done, unless allowed by the manufacturer. Addition of extra oil to the paint will make it lose its gloss. Also see that paint is neither too thin nor too stiff. Using such paint will leave brush marks on the surface. Poor quality brushes also end in such marks. To protect workers, make them wear a mask while rubbing down surfaces to be painted. Also tell them to protect their eyes during the painting operation. Take care that no paint drops fall on the floor during painting. Spread old newspapers in the area of work. Ask the painter to wipe off any paint droppings from the floor immediately. You could use turpentine oil. The next two episodes will provide more useful tips on painting and polishing of woodwork. Clip and keep for use. Till then, colour it right! (This column appears fortnightly) The writer is deputy chief engineer, civil, PSEB. He can be reached at
www.jagvirgoyal.com
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Tax tips
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The exact amount of capital gain.
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How much amount needs to be invested in NHAI or REC bonds to avoid/save tax? n
Should bonds be purchased on the net amount of capital gain or on total sale amount (Rs 6.46 lakh)? —Dinesh Lamba A. Your queries are replied hereunder: n
On the basis of facts given in the query, long-term capital gain would work out at Rs 6,15,497. The computation has been made on the basis of the indexed cost of Rs 30,503. n
Investment in bonds will have to be to the extent of capital gain to save the amount of capital gains tax. n
The bonds are required to be purchased for the amount of capital gain arising on the sale of a long-term capital asset.
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If there is capital gain, there is tax
Q. I want to sell a flat I purchased in 1980 and want to buy a commercial site instead. Please advise whether I have to pay tax on capital gain or not and also the period allowed in case I buy a built-up commercial shop or purchase a plot and then construct a shop. — S.K. Pruthi A. It is not evident from the facts stated in the query whether the flat owned by you is residential. If that be so, the long-term capital gain arising on the sale of such a flat would be taxable @ 20% plus applicable surcharge and cess. The Act does not provide for any exemption from the taxability of the long-term capital gain in case a residential flat is sold and the capital gain arising on such sale is utilised for the acquisition of commercial shop or a plot for the construction of a shop.
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All co-owners have to pay tax
— Kanta Devi A. It is presumed that you have held the plot in question for a period of three years or more. The three-year period would also include the period for which your husband held the plot. In such a case, the capital gain arising on the sale of plot would be taxable @ 20%, plus applicable education cess. The capital gains tax would be payable by each of the co-owners. In case the total income including the capital gain of each the co-owners exceeds Rs 10 lakh, a surcharge @ 10% would also be leviable on the amount of tax of 20%. I may add that in case net consideration realised on the sale of the plot is utilised in acquisition of plot and construction of a residential house thereon within a period of three years from the date of sale of plot, capital gains tax would not be payable provided the plot is purchased in the name of all the three co-owners, who will also eventually become the owners of the residential house.
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Affidavit a procedural necessity
— Tara Chand Aggarwal A. The requirement by patwari for affidavits of your brothers etc. seems to be a procedural requirement. He has to ascertain whether the will is genuine and has been executed without any undue influence. Even if you to go to a court for obtaining a probate of the will, the court will also issue notice to all the interested parties seeking their objections, if any, with regard to the contents of the will. You may, however, try if the patwari agrees to transfer on the basis of an indemnity bond.
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WITH an inglenook in the house, winter is bound to be warm. And huddled together by the fire-side, you can always hum Pierrette’s great lines from the play ‘The Maker of Dreams’: "Without feet on the fender/ Love is but slender." Just for your info: Fender is not just your car's bumper, but a "low screen or frame in front of a fireplace to keep the hot coals in". A fender also enhances the look and lends a touch of class to the fireplace. As Cicero said, "There is no place more delightful than one's own fireplace."
Q. I had purchased a 3.5-marla plot in July 1988 in the municipal area of Panchkula for Rs 8,438. In November 2008, after 20 years, I sold it for Rs 6.46 lakh. Since, I have no mind to purchase any plot or built-in house, kindly advise on the following:
Q. A plot owned by my husband was transferred in the names of my son, daughter and myself after his death. I want to sell it off and purchase another plot at another location of easy approach by investing approximately the whole amount. Will we three be liable to pay tax?
Q. My father expired in 1992 and as per the registered will executed by him in 1982 at the age of 80, I was to become the sole owner of the house constructed by my father from his own resources in 1956. My brothers and sisters were not given any share in this self-acquired house property of my father. Since I am 75 now, I have been advised to get the house property in question transferred in my name and also write a will to avoid complications after my death. When I approached the patwari for transfer of the house, I was asked to submit affidavits by my brothers and sisters, declaring that they have no objection to the transfer of the self-acquired house of my father in my name as per will of my father. My question is that if the consent of my brothers and sisters is a mandatory requirement, then what is the will of my father there for?