Different types are available with advancement in research, development and technology, writes PROF. A.R. SANTHA KUMAR.

There is a variety of cement available for the builder. The types of cement in India have increased over the years with the advancement in research, development, and technology. In order to get best performance correct cement type should be used based on the type of structure and the location where it is used in the structure.

The details of major types of cement produced in the country are given below:...

We will see more of classical designs in upholstery and soft furnishings, ornate and antiquarian frames rather than sleek ones, writes HEMA VIJAY

The wheel of change continues to spin, not just in fashion, but in the world of interior design too. And why not?With so much of attention now being directed into interior design, décor has inevitably become yet another means of making a statement. So, what does 2008 promise to house?

Interior design in India is now well in sync with the latest designs in the west. This is what prompts architect and designer Sujatha Shankar to say, “Modern office or residential spaces in Indian cities are now indistinguishable from their counterparts in New York or Shanghai”....

Default and indifference are not the best, taking into consideration, even your own interest. Community living requires many adjustments, writes R.L.NARAYANAN.

Today living in large apartment complex is an accepted position. There are many advantages in living together. Aspects of security, mutual help, and better social life are some such advantages. There can also be disadvantages. You will be under lot of peer pressure. You have to put up with many things; may be unreasonable neighbors; snobs; argumentative occupants. Formation of Association and attending to various issues of living together has become inevitable. The idea is to secure the ownership and control the material resources of the community, so as to distribute the same to sub-serve the common good. An apartment by itself is a heritable and transferable property. Individual ownership, of each apartment is separate, even though there is holding of undivided share of land in the total extent. The facilities can be common or limited. Each apartment owner is entitled to exclusive ownership and possession of his or her apartment.

There are also corresponding obligations cast upon the apartment owner. The apartment owner has to pay maintenance charges being the amount required for attending to various issues arising out of administration, maintenance, repair or replacement of common areas, facilities, common expenses and legal expenses, if any, that may be incurred....

Stamp duty on a sale is to be assessed on the market value of the property at the time of sale, writes C.H. GOPINATHA RAO

The Supreme Court in the case of State of Rajasthan vs Khandaka Jain Jewelers, (2008 (1) CTC 60 C.A.No.5273 of 2007) has observed that the stamp duty is payable on the market value of property as on the date of execution of sale deed and not on the date of agreement for sale.

In this case, the purchaser entered into two separate agreements with vendor in 1983 for purchase of two properties. However, the vendor failed to comply with the terms of the agreement and never executed the sale deed, Purchaser then filed a suit for specific performance which were decreed by the trial court in 1994. The purchaser filed another execution application in 1994 and the court directed the purchaser to submit stamp papers for execution of the sale deeds....

Water quality issues are hitting headlines in most cities. Just what is it that we need to do ensure we use healthy water, asks S.VISHWANATH

It is the complete inability of the institutions in urban India to cover the entire city with their network and then to keep the water lines fully pressurized and available 24 hours a day.

It is also the lack of accountability of the institution for the quality of water delivered with a residual chlorine levels as specified, which creates the problem....