Kishor Pate, CMD, Amit Enterprises Housing Ltd
'The reduction of personal income tax ceiling and the raising of home loan interest deduction will definitely increase demand for homes in cities like Pune. live to his promises, the Finance Minister has made singifi­cant allocations towards infrastructure projects in the country. The allocation of Rs 37,850 crore into the National Highway Authority of India will result in vastly improved road networks, which will in turn result in new vibrancy in the real estate sector. The National Housing Bank has received an allocation of Rs 13000 crore, which is a great thing. I am especially enthusiastic about the Rs 1060 crore allocation towards the government's program for creating 100 smart city projects.


Dr Anand J Gupta, spokesperson, BAI
'The housing loan interest exemption from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh coupled with allocation of Rs 4,000 crore for construction of low cost affordable housing will push the demand of housing and will revive the industry. The allo­cation of Rs 7,060 Crores for construction of 100 Smart Cities will change the face of the coun­try. As a body, we appreciate the innovative concepts put forth by the Finance Minister in the budget. The construction of road corridors will give a fresh lease of life to industries.


Brotin Banerjee, MD and CEO, Tata Housing
We welcome the announcement of the Union Budget 2014-15. Focusing on fiscal prudence, this budget has introduced proposals that may help to kick-start investments in the real estate sector. The government's move to provide necessary incentives to REIT's and giving a tax pass-through status is a positive move as it will reduce the pressure on the banking system, avail fresh equity and attract long term finance from foreign as well as domestic sources.

The Government's endeavour of providing 'housing for all by 2022' through new measures announced in today's Budget, such as allocation of funds for National Housing Bank, set­ting up a Mission on Low Cost Affordable [lousing, inclusion of slum development in the list of CSR activi­ties, would help in promoting development of affordable housing in the country. The reduction in built-up area threshold from 50,000 square metres to 20,000 square metres and capital requirement from USD 10 mil­lion to USD 5 million would help boost EDI in housing projects as more projects will now qualify.

The additional thrust on infrastructure and improving connectivity between major cities will create micro markets.


Lath Kumar Jain, chairman, CREDAI
'Giving pass-through status to REIT and CSR status for slum redevelop­ment programmes are major welcome announcements by the Finance Minister. He has in his speech mentioned that he will consider housing industry demands in due course, which is comforting. Some SOPS in affordable housing, funding for low income housing through NI1B do recognise the fact that much is needed to be done. We hope FM will look at this industry as an Engine of growth and major action is needed to achieve homes for all.

Incentivising REITs will help in easing liquidity requirement for devel­opers, making way to raise easy capital and also provide access to retail investors' benefits from regular income and appreciation benefits from real estate.

Source:- Mid-day