Mangalore: New team of CREDAI takes charge, issues discussed

Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (NM)

Mangalore, May 26: The new office-bearers of the Mangalore chapter of Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) were installed at a ceremony held at Moti Mahal here on Saturday May 25.

Pushparaj Jain as president, D B Mehta as vice-president, Ganesh A Bangera as honorary secretary, Shrinath Hebbar as joint secretary, Vinod A R Pinto as treasurer, and members K C Naik, S M Arshad, William D'Souza, Dheeraj Amin, Siraj Ahmed, Sanath Kumar Shetty and Rohan Monteiro took charge for the term 2013-2015. This was the fourth installation ceremony of Mangalore CREDAI chapter.

Welcoming the gathering P M A Razak of Plama Developers and immediate past president of CREDAI said that about 70-80 percent of growth in GDP in the city has been because of builders. "With support from the government we can do more. Builders are paying 40 percent of the tax collected by the government but though we are giving so much to society, our problems are not addressed by the politicians," he said.

"CREDAI has 12,000 members in 20 states of Inda and is the strongest body in Asia. It has a self-imposed code of conduct, a grievance forum and quality assurance system. Builders contribute 24 percent of GDP in state, 18 percent in the country and 68 percent in the district. It is the largest employment generator and has the largest share of unskilled labour," he said.

In his address, newly-inducted president Pushparaj Jain said, "Sanath Kumar Shetty sowed the seeds of CREDAI in Mangalore, and next president K C Naik watered the plant, while P M A Razak nurtured it and handed it over to me. I will strive hard to keep up to everyone's expectations."

He added, "To achieve excellence, it is important to win the hearts of the people. It is not possible to achieve anything all alone. Apart from business interests, the builders should also have social responsibility and help the poor or build affordable houses.

"Price of property has increased and Mangalore has become expensive now. Five years ago I had bought land for Rs 1 lac but today its value is Rs 25 lac. A small portion of land costs about Rs 4000-Rs 5000 which includes labour cost, material cost etc," he said.

Anil Nayak, executive member of CREDAI Bangalore chapter said, "Karnataka chapter of CREDAI is a very powerful body at the national level. We have 8 chapters in the state, but the unity here in Mangalore is impressive. Membership has been steadily growing here. Quality of construction also is superior here."

MLA J R Lobo congratulated the new team and wished them luck. Responding to the requests made by the builders during the course of the evening, he said, "These are debatable issues requiring detailed discussion. Though we are aware of the problems faced by the builders, the procedures and legal aspects are complicated and it is not possible to solve them quickly. The increase in cost is because of middlemen; every second person is a broker."

"Over a period of time builders have contributed a lot to the growth of Mangalore. They have contributed their greatest might for the urbanized look of Magalore. When sectors like education, tourism, industry and IT improve, construction sector also gets boosted, conseuqently there is more development and economy will also develop. We need to sit and talk at least once in four months along with opposition leaders and builders with only development as our agenda," he added.

He acknowledged the points raised by the builders and said that there is lethargy and lack of staff in city corporation which is creating problems, and promised that he would look into it.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said that though there is development on one side, there is unscientific growth on the other side. Giving examples of Kinnigoli and Permude, he said, "In Kinnigoli there are 17 flats and in Permude six. During construction, agricultural land is covered in mud. In rainy season when it becomes worse, people raise this issue and blame the poiticians. These issues should be looked into. Let builders and politicians together contribute to society and help in nation building process."

K C Naik and Dr Rajendra Kumar also spoke on the occasion. Past presidents of Mangalore CREDAI were felicitated.

Srinath Hebbar thanked the gathering.