Realty and reality

Property prices will rise in the next few days, so it is a good idea for everyone to buy apartments now, a senior executive of an industry chamber told a slightly shocked audience. This "advice" accompanied the launch of the Ficci-Knight Frank Real Estate Sentiment Index and rising realty prices was the focus of the discussion that followed. The index is based on sentiments mainly from developers, so no wonder Ficci was toeing the industry line. The official, who referred to the consultancy as Frank Knight, was also quick to do his bit when it came to praising the current regime too. The important thing, he added, is that prices won't fall since sentiments in the real estate business are a reflection of those in the Indian economy.