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Noida Authority to name and shame builders

1 week ago
The Noida Authority has begun putting up public boards outside housing projects whose promoters have failed to clear substantial land dues or apply for the government’s rehabilitation scheme, according to a report in the Times of India. Images of these boards are being uploaded on the Authority’s official website, signaling a new push to break the deadlock with defaulting builders. As per the TOI report, the first such board appeared outside Lotus Panache, a project by Granite Gate Properties currently undergoing insolvency proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). The move, however, has sparked protests from residents, who argue it violates the moratorium imposed under the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) and could disrupt ongoing revival efforts. “We have been rebuilding this project with our own funds under the NCLT process. This action by the Authority undermines buyer confidence and could undo the progress we’ve made. We will bring this to the NCLT’s notice,” said Amit Chauhan, a resident of Lotus Panache. Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M clarified that the step is not coercive but purely informational. “The boards are placed on government land and only state the dues claimed before the tribunal. There is nothing unlawful about it,” he said.Notably, a similar campaign last year had reportedly prompted several promoters to settle their dues. The initiative forms part of a larger recovery drive under the Legacy Stalled Real Estate Projects Policy, launched by the Uttar Pradesh government in December 2023. Based on the recommendations of the Amitabh Kant Committee, the policy offers ‘zero-period’ waivers and other reliefs to revive unfinished housing projects. During a board meeting on October 3, the Authority reviewed the policy’s progress. Out of 57 eligible projects (excluding those of Amrapali, Unitech, and those under NCLT), 35 developers have already opted for the scheme, depositing ₹528 crore — about 25% of their recalculated dues after Covid-era adjustments. Another 13 builders have paid partial amounts totaling ₹28 crore, enabling registration of 3,724 out of 5,758 eligible flats — a progress rate of roughly 65%. However, 22 developers continue to default, ignoring repeated notices. These projects now face a range of enforcement actions, including plot cancellations, sealing of unsold units, recovery as land revenue, and possible references to the Economic Offences Wing. “The government has extended every possible relief — from zero-period benefits to fair recalculations — yet some developers remain non-compliant. We will now act strictly as per the rules,” said Lokesh M. Before installing the boards, the Authority had issued final notices to these 22 non-compliant developers. Some have approached the Allahabad High Court and the state government under Section 41(3) of the UP Urban Planning and Development Act, seeking leniency. The Authority, however, maintains that no further extensions will be granted. “The 2023 rehabilitation policy was designed to complete stalled projects and provide relief to homebuyers — not to enable endless delays,” the CEO asserted. Meanwhile, to ensure timely registration for compliant projects, the Authority will continue organizing on-site registry camps and follow-up drives for homebuyers.

Is the Rs 10,000 crore IPO jinx over? LG India shares listing breaks 15-year old Coal India record

1 week ago
LG Electronics India made a blockbuster entry on Dalal Street, listing at a stellar 50% premium over its issue price of Rs 1,140. The debut not only rewarded investors handsomely but also created history among India’s Rs 10,000-crore-plus IPOs — a league where most large issues have struggled to maintain listing momentum. The previous record for highest listing premium was held by Coal India, whose IPO came way back in 2010.So what helped LG defy the big-issue jinx? Analysts point to a combination of reasonable valuations, dominant market positioning, and strong earnings visibility. With a diversified product portfolio spanning home appliances, TVs, and ACs, LG commands a leading share in India’s consumer durables market and continues to outpace peers in both margins and growth.Ambit Capital, which has a Buy rating and a 12-month target price of Rs 1,820, highlighted multiple tailwinds driving the company’s prospects – from localization and premiumization to export expansion and GST-led demand revival.“LG’s under-penetration across categories leaves ample room for growth. The Six City plant will double capacity and boost exports by 4 percentage points by FY28E,” the brokerage said. It projects 11% revenue and 13% EBITDA CAGR over FY25–28.Crucially, the IPO was seen as attractively priced. At 35x FY25 earnings, analysts said LG offered better value than many listed consumer peers trading at 45–60x. Its debt-free balance sheet, consistent ROE above 30%, and healthy EBITDA margins above 10% further bolstered investor confidence.The company’s listing success also stands out when compared with India’s earlier mega issues. Coal India’s 2010 IPO remains the only notable gainer in this category, debuting with a 39.7% premium and nearly doubling investor wealth later. Most others – Reliance Power, Paytm, LIC, and GIC Re – fell short of expectations. Paytm’s Rs 18,300-crore IPO in 2021 plunged 27% on debut, while LIC’s record Rs 20,557-crore issue listed nearly 8% lower.LG’s strong debut marks a turning point, suggesting that scale doesn’t necessarily spell trouble when backed by fundamentals.The company’s long-standing brand recall, expanding domestic and export presence, and improving product mix have positioned it as a structural consumer story rather than a short-term trade.In essence, LG Electronics India’s record-breaking listing demonstrates that big IPOs can shine when quality meets reasonable pricing.(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
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