Trailblazing Entrepreneur

 Living in a housing society means sharing not just space but also responsibilities. One of the most common disputes in cooperative housing societies arises when it comes to  maintenance charges , especially for facilities like lifts. A frequently asked question is:  “If I live on the ground floor or the first floor and rarely (or never) use the lift, why should I pay for lift repairs and maintenance?” The answer lies in the  laws, bylaws, and court judgments  that govern cooperative housing societies in India. Let’s break it down step by step. The Core Issue: Who Should Pay for Lift Repairs? In many societies, when lift repairs or replacement costs run into lakhs of rupees, some members—especially those on lower floors—object to contributing. Their argument is simple:  “We don’t use the lift, so why should we pay?” While this may sound fair at first glance,  housing laws do not support this reasoning . According to the rules, the cost of maintaining a...

भारत में निवेश के लिए फिक्स्ड डिपॉज़िट (FD) सबसे सुरक्षित और भरोसेमंद साधनों में गिनी जाती है। लाखों लोग हर साल अपनी मेहनत की कमाई को FD में डालते हैं ताकि उन्हें निश्चित ब्याज और पूंजी की सुरक्षा मिल सके। आजकल FD को अकेले कराने की बजाय पति-पत्नी या परिवार के किसी अन्य सदस्य के साथ जॉइंट FD (Joint FD) करवाने का चलन तेज़ी से बढ़ रहा है। जॉइंट FD का फायदा यह होता है कि खाते में दोनों के नाम रहते हैं, जिससे निवेश पर भरोसा और सुरक्षा बनी रहती है। लेकिन क्या आप जानते हैं कि जॉइंट FD कराने से इनकम टैक्स विभाग (Income Tax Department) की नजर आप पर पड़ सकती है और घर तक टैक्स नोटिस (Tax Notice) आ सकता है? इस लेख में हम विस्तार से समझेंगे कि जॉइंट FD पर टैक्स कैसे लगता है, टैक्स नोटिस क्यों आ सकता है, किन गलतियों से बचना चाहिए और कैसे सही रणनीति बनाकर आप FD का पूरा लाभ उठा सकते हैं। FD पर टैक्स का नियम: ब्याज हमेशा टैक्सेबल होता है बहुत से निवेशक मानते हैं कि FD से मिलने वाला ब्याज उनकी “सेविंग्स” है और इस पर टैक्स नहीं लगेगा। लेकिन सच यह है कि FD पर मिलने वाला ब्याज आपकी टैक्सेबल इनकम (...

In India, taking a loan has always been a challenge, especially for those who have a low credit history or no CIBIL score at all. Many first-time borrowers—whether young professionals, small business owners, or individuals from semi-urban and rural areas—often face rejection from banks because they don’t have a strong credit record. But now, a major update from the Finance Ministry and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has brought much-needed relief. According to the new directive, banks cannot reject your loan application solely on the basis of a low or non-existent CIBIL score. This move is expected to bring millions of people into the formal financial system and make India’s lending process more inclusive. Let’s break it down in detail— What is a CIBIL Score and Why Does it Matter? A CIBIL score is like a thermometer of your financial health. It reflects your repayment behavior and overall creditworthiness. The score ranges from 300 to 900 . A score above 750 is generally ...

For decades, Indian families have held on to their cars, motorcycles, and scooters as more than just machines—they often carry memories. A two-wheeler that took a child to school, a car that carried a family on road trips, or a truck that supported a small business for years. But from August 21, 2025 , the cost of keeping those long-serving vehicles on the road has suddenly gone up. The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced that renewal fees for vehicles older than 20 years will now cost double . While the government says this move will push people towards buying safer, cleaner, and more efficient vehicles, it also means a hefty price tag for owners unwilling to part with their aging automobiles. What Has Changed? Under the Motor Vehicles Act (Third Amendment) , the following key changes are now in effect: The validity of a new vehicle’s registration has been extended to 20 years , compared to the earlier 15 years. Once a vehicle crosses 20 years, owne...

गृह निर्माण सोसायटी में रहने वाले ज्यादातर सदस्य मासिक मेंटेनेंस, रिपेयरिंग फंड, सुरक्षा शुल्क या सिंकिंग फंड जैसे सामान्य खर्चों से परिचित होते हैं। लेकिन एक शुल्क ऐसा है, जिसके बारे में लोगों को बहुत कम जानकारी होती है और जो अक्सर विवाद का कारण बनता है – नॉन ऑक्युपेंसी चार्जेस (Non-Occupancy Charges) । कई बार सोसायटी नियमों की जानकारी न होने या जानबूझकर नियमों की गलत व्याख्या करने की वजह से सदस्य से मनमाने तरीके से ये शुल्क वसूल किए जाते हैं। जो लोग अपना फ्लैट किराए पर देते हैं या लंबे समय तक बंद रखते हैं, उन्हें प्रायः इस तरह की मांगों का सामना करना पड़ता है। इस लेख में हम सरल भाषा में समझेंगे कि नॉन ऑक्युपेंसी चार्जेस क्या होते हैं, कब लागू होते हैं, कानून इसमें क्या कहता है, और सदस्य अपने अधिकार कैसे सुरक्षित रख सकते हैं। नॉन ऑक्युपेंसी चार्जेस क्या हैं? सरल शब्दों में: 👉 जब किसी फ्लैट का मालिक या उसके निकट संबंधी खुद उस फ्लैट में न रहकर उसे किसी बाहरी व्यक्ति को किराए पर देता है , तो सोसायटी उस सदस्य से जो अतिरिक्त शुल्क लेती है, उसे नॉन ऑक्युपेंसी चार्जेस कहते हैं। यद...

Avoid scams with simple checks before investing in property Buying a house, flat, or piece of land is one of the biggest financial decisions in a person’s life. For many, it represents years of hard work, savings, and dreams of security. Unfortunately, property fraud has become alarmingly common in India and abroad. Every other day, news reports highlight shocking cases where the same piece of land or house is sold to multiple buyers. In such cases, the victims not only lose their money but also face long legal battles to reclaim their rights. The harsh truth is that once the fraud is done, the only remedy is to fight in court — a process that is expensive, time-consuming, and emotionally draining. This is why it is critical to take precautions before buying any property . A little awareness and due diligence can protect you from massive financial loss. Why Does Property Fraud Happen? Property fraud occurs because many buyers assume that a registered sale deed (registry) is the u...

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is never easy. Along with emotional grief, families often face practical hurdles, especially when it comes to accessing bank accounts, lockers, or deposits of the deceased. Traditionally, this process in India has been slow, complicated, and filled with bureaucratic obstacles. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has now stepped in to address this long-standing issue. Through its new draft guidelines, RBI aims to ensure that claim settlements related to deceased customers are faster, transparent, and customer-friendly . The Core of the New RBI Rule The RBI has issued a draft circular titled “Settlement of Claims in Respect of Deceased Customers – Directions, 2025.” The main features include: 15-day settlement deadline : Banks must resolve claims related to bank accounts, lockers, and safe custody articles within 15 days of receiving required documents. Compensation for delay : If banks fail to meet the deadline, they must pay compensation. ...