MUMBAI: A rift of sorts seems to have broken in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) over giving 50% reduction in premiums for developers in urban areas, reports Chaitanya Marpakwar.
The proposal to reduce premiums charged by local municipal corporations and other state agencies was discussed in the state cabinet on Wednesday, but was reportedly deferred after the Congress expressed reservations on giving doles to builders without ensuring that buyers benefit.
While the proposal was discussed for the first time, it has been on the cards for almost two months. “We have no issues giving discounts to builders...but it should be a win-win situation for both builders and homebuyers,” said a Congress minister. Sources said that the plan may get stuck since the Congress has demanded changes in the scheme. A NCP cabinet minister said that Congress was upset since it was not consulted before the scheme was finalised.
“We have already made it clear that builders who take advantage of this scheme must pay the stamp duty for the flats and not charge stamp duty from home buyers. So the buyers will also get some benefit of the discount in premiums,” the minister said.