Jayesh Salgaonkar, Minister of Housing and chairman of Goa Housing Board, talks in detail with The Goan on his plans to make housing affordable to people in Goa
Q: It’s impossible to buy a 2 bedroom-hall-kitchen (BHK) flat for less than Rs 40 lakh in Goa. As Housing Minister, what are your plans to make housing affordable for Goans?
Jayesh Salgaonkar: To cater to the housing needs of the low-income group, we are planning to procure land away from the cities, and we are going to develop that as satellite towns. Such towns will be self-sufficient, as they will have all the modern amenities we have in the cities.
Apart from this, Goa Housing Board (GHB) had procured land outside the cities many years ago. But, over time, the cities have expanded and this land has now become prime. We are going to develop projects on such land, which will cater to the housing needs of a vast number of people who want to leave their villages to settle in cities for business or employment. At Colvale, Dhargal and Margao, GHB owns land, where we will develop such projects.
Q: Have you decided where will you buy land to create those satellite towns?
JS: As of now, we have plans to acquire land in Shiroda (which can cater to people in Ponda and the mining belt as well), in Pernem (out of main part of Pernem), in Dhargal (which is close enough to Mapusa) and also in parts of Salcete, which can cater to people, who would otherwise have no option but to live in Margao or in the nearby urbanised villages.
Q: Often, GHB’s projects run into issues with village panchayats. How will you deal with this issue?
JS: I have requested Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to let GHB operate the same way Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) works. If you need a plot in an industrial estate, you go to GIDC and not to any village panchayat. That’s how it should be for GHB as well. For GHB’s projects in villages, GHB should be the ultimate body to take all decisions so that we don’t have to go to panchayats for any approvals. We will take technical assistance from Town and Country Planning (TCP) department and taxes will be paid to panchayats.
I am striving to take GHB to the next level. Before me, GHB was neglected and it used to go to a MLA as a corporation. But now, it has been given to a minister as a first portfolio. I want to develop GHB to such a level that ministers will demand it in future as a main portfolio.
Q: Panchayats play a crucial role in Goan politics. Do you think the CM will give his nod to your demand?
JS: I will see to it that this suggestion gets through. It is extremely important that GHB makes profits like 10-15% of its turnover, which is still a lot less than what commercial builders make. But, for GHB to make profits, it is crucial that the intervention by panchayats or by MLAs or by any elected representative is taken care of.
