the proposal to reduce holding period for an immovable property to two years from three years for considering capital gains tax and extending infrastructure status to affordable housing segment could come as a shot in the arm for the beatendown real estate sector in the statethe realty sector in rajasthan which was already underperforming compared to other cities in the country is optimistic that bringing down the holding period will again kick start salepurchase activities while increasing liquidity in the marketafter demonetization transactions in the real estate market have almost come to a halt now people can sell properties after holding for two years instead of three years for avoiding capital gains tax of 20 this will increase liquidity in the market said abhishek mishra director of a leading real estate company in jaipursimilarly the budget has proposed a series of incentives for the affordable housing segment to realise its mission of housing for all by 2022extending infrastructure status to the segment means the project will have easy access to bank loans at cheaper ratesthere are several other financial incentives that the promoters of affordable housing projects can claimin last years budget the government had announced a scheme for profitlinked income tax exemption for promoters of affordable housing scheme however in order to make this scheme more attractive the budget has propo sed to change the parametersinstead of built up area of 30 and 60 sq metre the carpet area of 30 and 60 sq metre will be counted jaitley said in order to be eligible the scheme was to be completed in 3 years after commencement but now this has been extended to 5 yearsthe carpet area calculation will make affordable houses more liveable and expand the base of customers this will create lot of job opportunities in rural areas as wellat present builders are required to pay taxes even on unsold houses but they will get one year relief after they get completion certificate said sanjay ghiya a real estate consultant