PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday announced that application forms under the Mhaje Ghar Yojana will be rolled out from September 15 as he called the scheme “special Chavath gift” to Goans.
Unveiling details of the scheme during a live interaction with the concerned authorities and the general public, Sawant said it would bring long-awaited legal and financial security to thousands of families whose homes don’t have valid ownership papers.
“Even three generations after the liberation, many families do not have legal documents to prove ownership. There was always fear of demolition and uncertainty over court cases. This scheme will resolve that,” he said.
On the regularisation of old houses, the CM stated that houses built prior to 1972 without certificates will be granted legality. With Village Panchayats and Municipalities mandated to issue certificates within seven days for a fee of Rs 1,000, the scheme will enable families to access financial support, carry out repairs, and secure future construction rights. Shops built before 1972 will also avail the benefit.
For houses constructed before February 28, 2014, ownership rights will be given under Section 38A of the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968. Sawant elaborated that the benefit will apply to homes on revenue land, alvara, mokaso, lease areas, any government property and comunidade land, for plots up to 400 sq mts with an additional two-metre surrounding.
“Several comunidades have welcomed this decision,” Sawant said, while warning that fresh land grabbing and unauthorised encroachments would not be tolerated.
“Nearly 95 per cent of Goans would benefit from the various components of the program... land ownership rights would be granted to about 450 families... The certificates issued under the scheme would provide 100 per cent benefit to Goans,” he added.
The CM also announced that the government will also bring in a provision wherein Police, Panchayat Secretaries, Talathis and Mamlatdars will be empowered to stop any illegal construction. These authorities will also have powers to warn offenders and levy heavy fines. “No illegal construction will be allowed, even in your own land,” he stressed.
He also referred to the amended Goa Regularisation of Unauthorised Construction Bill, 2025, under which 28,000 persons having houses on their own land, however without permission, have applied for regularisation. “A total of 10,000 have already been regularised,” Sawant said.
ADDITIONAL REFORMS
The CM also announced measures under the 20-Point Program that covered about 6,000 families who received plots but were never issued Class I occupancy certificates, would be allotted the same. “The current owners, upon producing documents, will be eligible under the scheme. Vacant plots will be reclaimed by the government,” he said.
Other reforms included a flat stamp duty of Rs 5,000 on house transfers instead of the prevalent 3 percent property value; faster approval timelines for construction and occupancy permits -- deemed approved if delayed beyond 15 days -- and house repair certificates to be issued within three working days. Families seeking bifurcation of houses for separate utility connections will also have an advantage under the program.
Rejecting criticism that the scheme is politically motivated, Sawant urged people to “show such political elements their place,” adding that the initiative is designed purely for the welfare of Goans.
