Repair permits in 3 days for single-dwelling units: Govt

PANAJI
The Department of Urban Development has announced a major reform to streamline repair permissions for single-dwelling units within municipal areas. In a circular issued by Additional Secretary and Director of Urban Development Brijesh Manerkar on Monday, the department stated that approvals for repair works must be granted within three working days, provided certain conditions are met.

“In order to avoid any undue procedural delay... and to prevent any further damage to such structure, the Commissioner of the Corporation of City of Panaji and Chief Officers of Municipal Councils are hereby directed to issue permission for repairs of single dwelling unit/ structure provided that the structure for which repairs is sought is legal structure or is existing and registered for the purpose of house tax for last five years prior to the date of receipt of application for repairs,” it said.

The reform is designed to benefit homeowners who wish to carry out structural repairs without lengthy bureaucratic delays. To qualify, applicants must submit a sketch or plan of the structure, photographs and a certificate from a registered architect or structural engineer, clearly outlining the type of repair and estimated cost.

The department has further clarified that upon receipt of an application for repairs, the Commissioner/ Chief Officer shall forthwith dispose of the application within three working days. “In case the decision is taken to issue repair permission, the same shall be issued upon collecting necessary fees... If permission is not granted within three working days, the permission shall be deemed to have been granted and the applicant may commence the repair work within the scope of repairs but not in contravention of any law in force,” it added.

However, the department has cautioned that such permission does not serve as confirmation of ownership. “The repair permission shall not in any way be construed to be a document confirming title to the property, towards the relevant existing structure/ property,” it said.