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Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Thackerays’ ‘Taandav’ for trees, tigers

AI generated image Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray launched a sharp attack on the government for the systematic degradation of the state’s environment under the garb of development, even as the climate change poses a direct threat to the environment, economy, agriculture, public health and the future of both rural and urban centres. Questioning the state government’s claims of having planted millions of trees, he rued how the World Environment Day has been...

Thackerays’ ‘Taandav’ for trees, tigers

AI generated image Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray launched a sharp attack on the government for the systematic degradation of the state’s environment under the garb of development, even as the climate change poses a direct threat to the environment, economy, agriculture, public health and the future of both rural and urban centres. Questioning the state government’s claims of having planted millions of trees, he rued how the World Environment Day has been reduced to an annual ritual of tree-planting drives and clicking selfies for social media, though 90 pc of the saplings don’t survive even a day. “Only the government knows where those trees really are,” said Raj sternly. He recalled a "Blueprint of Maharashtra’s Development" he had proposed in 2015, in which he advocated how development without environmental sensitivity is hollow. Justifying, he said that the consequences are visible where roads, bridges and infrastructure projects are hailed as achievements, but even a short spell of rainfall can paralyze entire cities. Referring to recent reports on farmers returning from the fields after 10 am due to the scorching heat, Raj said that the worsening climate crisis has become an everyday reality. Citing official statistics, Raj claimed that extreme heat has caused productivity losses of nearly USD 159 billion and slashing of 160 billion work-hours annually in recent years. He mentioned the World Bank estimates that India’s GDP could plummet by 2.5-4.5 pc while 57 pc of the country’s districts sheltering 76 pc of the population stare at serious climate-related crises. Taking a swipe, he said while the governments boast about growth figures and economical rankings, they are silent on the staggering costs of environmental destruction. He questioned the development model “whether flooded cities, washed-away crops and unbearable summers” genuinely indicate progress. Claiming that Maharashtra was increasingly becoming unliveable for upto 8 months in a year, he said excessive monsoon rains disrupt rural life and urban floods cripple cities, while extreme heat make normal life a torture in summers in both urban-rural areas. Targeting the Centre, Raj alleged that nearly 173,984 hectares of forest lands were diverted in the past 11 years for mining and infrastructure projects to benefit the PM’s single favourite Adani Group. He said that these lands amount to 1,730 sqkm, or equivalent to the area of 16 Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) that is spread over barely 104 sqkm. Dissolve state wildlife board: Aaditya Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray has accused the Maharashtra government for issuing a permit to carry out mining activity in the sensitive tiger corridor between the Tadoba-Andhari and Indravati sanctuaries housing the big striped cats. In a strongly-worded letter to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Member-Secretary Sanjay Kumar, Thackeray sought his immediate personal intervention, sacking the Maharashtra State Board for Wild-Life (SBWL), revoking the permit, and probe against the Chief Wildlife Warden & Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) M. Srinivasa Reddy for the alleged lacunae. Aditya’s two-pager says the permit has been granted for “scientific exploration and excavation/systematic recovery of low-grade iron ore in existing mines in villages Hedri, Bande, Parsalgondi and Round Parsalgondi, in the Etapalli taluka of Gadchiroli district”. Last January, Aditya – MLA from Worli – had first raised the issue saying that the proposed mine would create only 120 jobs, including 32 permanent, and the estimated output is pegged at 1.1 million tons in a year. Referring to two letters of Reddy – on April 28 and May 21 – the SS (UBT) leader claimed that in communications to the state government, the PCCF had changed his stance on the issue. Aditya said that in the first letter, Reddy had effectively opposed the government plans for mining activity but in the second letter, he took a somersault, ostensibly due to government pressures or some commercial interests, “the U-turn is disgraceful and detrimental to India’s national interest” – and this abrupt shift in stance must be investigated thoroughly. In view of the contrary stance of the PCCF Reddy, entrusted with protecting the wildlife but failing to defend the NTCA and NBWL, point to serious malfunctioning of the SBWL, and hence it must be dissolved, besides reviewing all its decisions in the past three years, particularly those pertaining to hazardous activities in sensitive areas, demanded Aditya. 444 tigers roam in 11,000 sq.km As per the Status of Tiger Report (2002), and the Maharashtra Economic Survey 2025-2026, the state boasts of 444 tigers prowling in the wild along with other menacing creatures. The state’s total protected wildlife network of 88 Notified Areas of National Parks, Sanctuaries, and Conservation Reserves - including 6 dedicated to the striped big cats – is spread over 11,092 sq. kms as per current data.

No hike in ready reckoner rates

Real estate sector welcomes move

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has kept the Annual Statement of Rates (ASR), or ready reckoner rates, unchanged for the financial year 2026–27, signalling a calibrated approach aimed at maintaining stability in the real estate sector amid evolving economic conditions. The decision was announced by the Office of the Inspector General of Registration and Controller of Stamps, Pune.


Under the Maharashtra Stamp (Determination of True Market Value of Property) Rules, 1995, ASR rates are revised annually and come into effect from April 1. These rates serve as the benchmark for property valuation for stamp duty and registration. Over the years, the state has followed a cautious revision strategy. After a 5.86 per cent increase in 2017–18, rates were kept unchanged in 2018–19 and 2019–20 due to a sectoral slowdown. During the pandemic-hit 2020–21, the revision was delayed until September and limited to 1.74 per cent.


For 2026–27, however, the government has opted for a complete status quo, with no increase across the state. The move follows representations from industry bodies, including CREDAI, citing global economic uncertainty and a moderation in real estate activity.


Long Process

The ASR determination process involves multi-level consultations. District-level meetings are held with developers, document writers and other stakeholders, while public representatives’ inputs are incorporated through discussions chaired by district collectors. Objections and suggestions received during this process are evaluated before finalisation.


Even as base rates remain unchanged, the government has introduced technical and administrative refinements to better reflect on-ground realities. In urban areas, changes in Development Plans (DPs) have been factored in. Adjustments have also been made in line with regional and local planning schemes, including revisions to valuation zones and sub-zones. Updates such as correction of village names, inclusion of new hamlets, and changes in survey and group numbers have been carried out. Micro-level adjustments through sub-classification have also been introduced.


Strong Growth

Meanwhile, Maharashtra has recorded strong growth in property registrations and stamp duty collections over the past three financial years. The number of registered documents rose from 27.9 lakh in 2023–24 to 43.12 lakh in 2024–25, and further to 45.60 lakh in 2025–26. Revenue collections under the 0030 head (stamp duty and registration fees) increased from Rs 50,042.80 crore in 2023–24 to Rs 58,266.07 crore in 2024–25, and further to Rs 60,568.94 crore in 2025–26.


Monthly trends remained robust, with March 2026 recording the highest collection at Rs 6,641.61 crore, while December also posted strong inflows at Rs 5,595.35 crore.


President of CREDAI-MCHI Sukhraj Nahar said, “The State Government has taken a significant and timely decision to maintain status quo on Ready Reckoner Rates for FY 2026–27, effective from 1st April. This important relief to the real estate sector comes in the backdrop of persistent global economic uncertainties and rising construction costs. The decision reflects the Government’s sensitivity to industry concerns and its commitment to sustaining growth and housing supply.”


“We would like to share that CREDAI-MCHI had made strong representations to the Government, highlighting the adverse impact of any increase in Ready Reckoner Rates under the current circumstances. We are glad that our suggestions have been duly considered.”


“This decision will go a long way in maintaining project viability, supporting housing demand and ensuring continued momentum in development activity,” he added.

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