Govt brings clarity in policy for FDI in real estate business

                FDI is not permitted in an entity which is engaged in or proposes to engage in real estate business, construction of farm houses and trading in transferable development rights To bring more clarity in its FDI 
policy for the realty sector, the government on Monday "amended and aligned" the existing definitions of the real estate business.

According to a press note from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) released on Monday, FDI is not permitted in an entity which is engaged or proposes to engage in real 
estate business, construction of farm houses and trading in transferable development rights.

It added that earning rent/income on lease of a property, not amounting to transfer, will not amount to real estate business. "Real estate business means dealing in land and immovable property with a view to 
earning profit, and does not include development of townships, construction of residential /commercial premises, roads or bridges, educational institutions, recreational facilities, city
and regional level infrastructure, townships...," the note said.

FDI is prohibited in real estate business and construction of farm houses, according to the note. Mergers and amalgamations Further, the DPIIT has also made changes in the norms pertaining to acquisition 
of shares under scheme of merger/demerger/amalgamation.

The merged or new entity "may issue capital instruments to the existing shareholders of the transferor company resident outside India", the note said.

"Where (in) a scheme of compromise or arrangement or merger or amalgamation of two or more Indian companies, or a reconstruction by way of demerger or otherwise of an Indian company, ...the 
transferee company or the new company, as the case may be, may issue capital instruments to the existing shareholders of the transferor company resident outside India," it said.

This will be subject to certain conditions, it added.

Sources: Business Line