Budget 2018: Real estate wants infra status widened beyond affordable homes

Industry also seeks higher tax benefits for home buyers, especially as the unit prices in metro cities are higher

In the year 2017, we saw the rollout of the goods and services tax (GST) and the implementation of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA). The twin policy moves, in addition to the lingering effects of the demonetisation exercise of late 2016, had an adverse impact in the short run on real estate sale and the overall economy. 

However, these moves also brought about consolidation and transparency in the sector. Now, in the Budget 2018, the last full Budget of the present government before the general elections of 2019, we hope Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will –