This is in continuance of our series on consolidated FDI policy of India 2012 by DIPP. The previous articles in this regard are:(1) Consolidated FDI policy of India 2012 by DIPP: objectives,
(2) Consolidated FDI policy of India 2012 by DIPP: definitions,
(3) Consolidated FDI policy of India 2012 by DIPP: general provisions,
(4) FDI in limited liability partnerships (LLPs) in India 2012,
(5) Permissible direct and indirect foreign investment in an Indian company,
(6) Foreign investment promotion board (FIPB) and FDI policy of India 2012,
(7) Prohibited sectors under the consolidated FDI policy of India 2012,
(8) FDI in agriculture and animal husbandry under consolidated FDI policy of India 2012,
(9) FDI in mining sector of India under consolidated FDI policy of India 2012,
(10) FDI in petroleum and natural gas sector of India under consolidated FDI policy of India 2012
(11) FDI in micro and small enterprises (MSEs) sector of India under consolidated FDI policy of India 2012
(12) FDI in defence sector of India under consolidated FDI policy of India 2012
(13) FDI in broadcasting sector of India under consolidated FDI policy of India 2012
(14) FDI in print media sector of India under consolidated FDI policy of India 2012
(15) FDI in civil aviation sector of India under consolidated FDI policy Of India 2012
(16) FDI in courier services sector of India under consolidated FDI policy of India 2012
In this article Perry4Law and Perry4Law Techno Legal Base (PTLB) would discuss the FDI in Construction Development sector of India under consolidated FDI policy of India 2012.
FDI in Townships, housing, built-up infrastructure and construction-development projects (which would include, but not be restricted to, housing, commercial premises, hotels, resorts, hospitals, educational institutions, recreational facilities, city and regional level infrastructure) would be allowed upto 100% through automatic approval route.
Investment will be subject to the following conditions:
(1) Minimum area to be developed under each project would be as under:
(i) In case of development of serviced housing plots, a minimum land area of 10 hectares
(ii) In case of construction-development projects, a minimum built-up area of 50,000 sq.mts.
(iii) In case of a combination project, any one of the above two conditions would suffice.
(2) Minimum capitalization of US$10 million for wholly owned subsidiaries and US$ 5 million for joint ventures with Indian partners. The funds would have to be brought in within six months of commencement of business of the Company.
(3) Original investment cannot be repatriated before a period of three years from completion of minimum capitalization. Original investment means the entire amount brought in as FDI. The lock-in period of three years will be applied from the date of receipt of each installment/tranche of FDI or from the date of completion of minimum capitalization, whichever is later. However, the investor may be permitted to exit earlier with prior approval of the Government through the FIPB.
(4) At least 50% of each such project must be developed within a period of five years from the date of obtaining all statutory clearances. The investor/investee company would not be permitted to sell undeveloped plots. For the purpose of these guidelines, undeveloped plots will mean where roads, water supply, street lighting, drainage, sewerage, and other conveniences, as applicable under prescribed regulations, have not been made available. It will be necessary that the investor provides this infrastructure and obtains the completion certificate from the concerned local body/service agency before he would be allowed to dispose of serviced housing plots.
(5) The project shall conform to the norms and standards, including land use requirements and provision of community amenities and common facilities, as laid down in the applicable building control regulations, bye-laws, rules, and other regulations of the State Government/Municipal/Local Body concerned.
(6) The investor/investee company shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary approvals, including those of the building/layout plans, developing internal and peripheral areas and other infrastructure facilities, payment of development, external development and other charges and complying with all other requirements as prescribed under applicable rules/bye-laws/regulations of the State Government/ Municipal/Local Body concerned.
(7) The State Government/ Municipal/ Local Body concerned, which approves the building / development plans, would monitor compliance of the above conditions by the developer.
The conditions at (1) to (4) above would not apply to Hotels and Tourism, Hospitals, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Education Sector, Old age Homes and investment by NRIs. Further, FDI is not allowed in Real Estate Business.
