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The Journal
11-08-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Watchdog overseeing estate agents moves to new department amid calls for beefed up oversight
THE WATCHDOG OVER auctioneers, estate agents and property management companies has been moved into the remit of the Department of Housing amid calls for beefed up oversight of the entire sector. The bodies that oversee property service providers, including auctioneers, letting agents, and property management agents were transferred from the Department of Justice to the Housing Department on 1 August. The Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) has a number of key functions including, the administration of a system of investigation and adjudication of complaints against Property Services Providers. Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne has welcomed the move, stating that there are major issues in the housing market which are pushing up prices including well known practices such as gazumped, phantom bids and facilitated bidding wars. 'These practices are allowing prices be inflated to the maximum possible squeezing home buyers in an already overheated market,' he said. In a parliamentary question, he asked the Housing Minister James Browne if he is aware of reports in The Journal regarding the lack of transparency and culture of bidding wars that has emerged in the Irish housing market and if he is concerned by these trends. Advertisement The minister responded by stating that under the programme for government it was agreed that the PRSA, which is the watchdog over the operations of property providers and those in the industry, should move into his department. The Housing Department said in a statement that this transfer brings the PSRA into the broader housing infrastructure and will 'enable the achievement of the shared goal of a healthy, fair and functioning housing market for Ireland'. 'The transfer will help maintain national housing stock at the highest quality in line with the standards already set by the department,' the statement said, stating that 'bringing together the regulation of this important sector, with housing standards functions under one department will boost consumer protection and public awareness of property services'. Updating regulation law The Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011 created the PSRA and the PSAB [Property Services Appeals Board] to oversee property service providers, including auctioneers, letting agents, and property management agents and to handle complaints. The department said it is now a priority to resume work already underway to amend several provisions within the 2011 Act to bring them up to date. 'The focus is on ensuring everyone has a range of housing options, whether they want to buy a house, rent one, or need social housing. An adequate supply and mix of housing across housing types and tenures is critical to addressing the current imbalance between supply and demand in the housing market, including home ownership, social housing and private rental,' said the housing minister. Increased supply will help moderate price increases, address affordability in the market, and help those aspiring to own their own home to realise this goal, he added. Bidding wars and phantom bids Hearne said it is important that the PRSA has come under the responsibility of the Department of Housing, but criticised the government for making the 'wrong decision' not to investigate practices such as phantom bids and facilitated bidding wars. Related Reads Teachers and nurses who have links to an area to be prioritised for cost rental units Group of estate agents believe housing prices will soon level off, says SCSI survey Mortgages have hit levels not seen since right before the crash 'I am urging the Minister for Housing to undertake an investigation into practices in the property market that is inflating housing prices. 'There are clearly huge problems in the Irish house purchase market that is adding to rising house prices. The Government doesn't want to know about it and has ditched plans to look at what could change,' he said. Hearne said France and Scotland have sealed bids that remove bidding wars, stating that this should also be introduced in Ireland. Speaking about management companies and estate agents, who Hearne said have an important function in the rental market, he said there are concerns that they are acting in ways that exploit tenants. 'We would like an investigation of the role of these actors in the rental market in terms of tenant protections and inflating rents,' he concluded. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
New Indian Express
09-08-2025
- New Indian Express
Karnataka HC upholds BBMP action on tank land eviction
Based on a complaint filed by the tahsildar, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Task Force registered an FIR in 2013 under the provisions of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act. After a special court was constituted under the 2011 Act, the matters are now heard by the Special Court. The petitioners challenged the show-cause notice, pointing to the matter pending before the special court constituted under the 2011 Act, and arguing that the initiation of parallel proceedings under the 2014 Act is legally unsustainable. The court, however, noted that the prescribed officer is legally empowered to initiate an independent inquiry to ascertain whether the petitioners are in unauthorised occupation of tank land. The inquiry found that they had indeed encroached upon tank land and the Prescribed Officer is well within his powers to proceed to summarily evict the petitioners as per Section 22 of the 2014 Act, the court added. It further said that the legislative framework under the 2014 Act ensures adequate checks and balances. Section 25 of the Act specifically provides that if the Prescribed Officer is found to have failed in discharging his duties or has acted in dereliction thereof, he shall be liable to a departmental inquiry and may also be subjected to a penalty of Rs 10,000, the court added.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Docs in Assam highlight urgent need for workplace safety
Guwahati: On Doctor's Day, the poignant theme "Behind the Mask: Who Heals the Healers?" casts a spotlight on the mental health struggles of medical practitioners. In Assam, healthcare professionals are voicing an urgent call for robust support systems, particularly emphasizing the need for protection against physical attacks during their duty hours. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While the theme underscores the mental and emotional hurdles doctors face, they assert that a secure work environment is crucial for their mental well-being. Medical organizations, including the Indian Medical Association (IMA), stress the importance of nurturing a supportive atmosphere, especially in light of the repeated incidents of violence against doctors in Assam's rural areas over the years. Healthcare professionals are advocating for a central legislation to tackle violence, proposing a link between the Assam Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act, 2011, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) provisions to ensure stringent punishment for offenders. "Doctors encounter numerous challenges in their professional lives. Almost every doctor experiences some form of violence or difficulty during their career, whether it's physical violence, verbal abuse, or offensive language over the phone. These challenges create mental dilemmas that impact their professional skills and careers," explained Dr Satyajit Borah, a respected senior doctor from Tezpur. He pointed out that doctors often work eight-hour shifts, sometimes extending late into the night. "They make significant sacrifices, while others in different professions of their age enjoy leisure. They also sacrifice family life and recreational activities. If society cannot ensure their well-being, it is truly unfortunate," he said. "We have lost many colleagues prematurely due to acute myocardial infections, and suicides are not uncommon. Doctors are notoriously bad at being patients themselves, so their health is paramount. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Society must also care for doctors to enable them to provide effective healthcare services," Borah added, emphasizing the need for attention to both physical and mental well-being to maintain a healthy environment. Despite over 20 states having legislation against violence in healthcare establishments, its effectiveness is questioned by medical professionals. Borah, who led IMA's Assam chapter during some of the state's most severe assaults on doctors, insisted that medical organizations are pushing for centralized legislation to ensure nationwide consistency, a demand that should be met. IMA's honorary state secretary, Dr Atul Kumar Kalita, called for strict enforcement of the state's 2011 Act, which prescribes three-year imprisonment and fines up to Rs 50,000. "Recently, we've been advocating that all serious cases of violence against doctors should be expedited in fast-track courts. These cases should be linked to BNS, and investigating authorities need to be aware of this. Thorough investigation and trial can deter those who target doctors," he said. Dr Arunima Goswami highlighted awareness as a critical issue. "In some areas, doctors work under pressure because many are unaware that if they are assaulted, the perpetrators can be arrested. Many people are also unaware of these provisions, leading to assaults on doctors and subsequent legal troubles," she said. Recent notable incidents include the assault on Dr Seuj Kumar Senapati at Udali Covid Care Centre in Hojai district, which led to over 20 arrests. Previously, in 2019, Dr Deben Dutta tragically succumbed to injuries after being attacked with sharp weapons at Teok Tea Estate hospital in Jorhat district, an incident that sparked nationwide outrage.
India Today
27-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Bengaluru life alluring: Supreme Court rejects doctors' plea against transfer
Calling Bengaluru's cosmopolitan life 'very alluring', the Supreme Court refused to examine a petition by government doctors against their transfers out of Karnataka's capital city.A bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and K Vinod Chandran observed there was no prejudice if the doctors were transferred out of Bengaluru.'The cosmopolitan life of Bangalore is very alluring, (but) other areas of Karnataka are also developed. You are a privileged class of society. If you oppose transfer what will happen to others? We are not inclined to entertain the appeal,' the bench The top court was hearing a plea filed by a group of doctors challenging the Karnataka State Civil Services (Regulation of Transfer of Medical Officers and other Staff) Rules, 2025, which regulates the transfer of medical officers and other staff within the state's health and family welfare 2025 rule governs the transfer of government doctors and medical staff within the state's Health and Family Welfare Karnataka High Court had previously refused to stay the rules, saying the 2025 rules were enacted in exercise of state's power under Section 12 of Karnataka State Civil Services (Regulation of Transfer of Medical Officers and other Staff) 2011 Act. According to the High Court, the Act does not specify any minimum time period that must elapse between the publication of draft rules and their petitioners questioned the rules, citing only a week's time to file objections to the draft rules. Their primary contention was that they were given just a week to file objections to the draft rules. They argued that this was an inadequate amount of time for a thorough review and to submit meaningful objections, effectively denying them a reasonable opportunity to participate in the rulemaking also submitted the draft rules had no concept of Greater Bengaluru and incorporation of Greater Bengaluru in the final notification was impermissible. They argued that the incorporation of 'Greater Bengaluru' in the final notification was not allowed because it was not part of the initial draft that was open for public Supreme Court has now also effectively declined to entertain the doctors' plea against their transfers from Bengaluru. - EndsMust Watch
The Hindu
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘If you oppose transfer what will happen to others': Supreme Court refuses docs plea against transfer
The Supreme Court on Thursday (June 26, 2025) called Bengaluru's cosmopolitan life "very alluring" as it refused to examine a plea by government doctors against their transfers out of the city. A Bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and K Vinod Chandran noted no prejudice if the doctors were transferred out of Bengaluru. "The cosmopolitan life of Bangalore is very alluring. The others areas of Karnataka are also developed. You are a privileged class of society. If you oppose transfer what will happen to others. We are not inclined to entertain the appeal," the Bench said. The top court was hearing a plea filed by a group of doctors challenging the Karnataka State Civil Services (Regulation of Transfer of Medical Officers and other Staff) Rules, 2025 which regulates the transfer of medical officers and other staff within the state's health and family welfare department. The Karnataka High Court had prevously refused to stay the rules, saying the 2025 rules were enacted in exercise of state's power under Section 12 of Karnataka State Civil Services (Regulation of Transfer of Medical Officers and other Staff) 2011 Act, which would not specify any time between the publication of draft and finalisation of draft rules. The petitioners questioned the rules, citing only a week's time to file objections to the draft rules. They submitted the draft rules had no concept of Greater Bengaluru and incorporation of Greater Bengaluru in the final notification was impermissible.
