PANAJI
The Goa Cabinet on Thursday approved a significant amendment to the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968, aimed at expediting the process of granting land ownership ‘sanads’.
Under the revised provision, the time limit for issuing sanads will be reduced from 60 days to 45 days, marking a step towards faster land administration in the State.
Currently, Section 32(3) of the LR Code requires the Collector to decide on applications within 60 days of receipt. With the amendment now cleared and an Ordinance expected to be issued soon, the stipulated period will be shortened to 45 days.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, addressing the media after the Cabinet meeting, said: “This will streamline procedures and benefit citizens by reducing delays in obtaining land ownership documents.”
Decriminalisation of minor acts
Sawant said, the Cabinet also advanced its agenda to decriminalise a set of 28 laws, in line with the Centre’s Jan Vishwas initiative.
The move seeks to replace provisions of imprisonment with monetary penalties, thereby reducing the burden of criminal prosecution for minor infractions.
Explaining the rationale, Sawant said the reforms are intended to make the State’s legal framework “less punitive and more facilitative”.
He emphasised that minor procedural or technical violations should not attract criminal liability, and that the new approach would encourage compliance without subjecting individuals to harsh penalties.
“We want to ensure that citizens are not unnecessarily entangled in criminal cases for small lapses,” he added.
The Jan Vishwas initiative, launched by the Union government, aims to enhance ease of living and ease of doing business by rationalising archaic laws.
Goa’s decision to align with this reform reflects its commitment to modernising governance and reducing friction between citizens and the State.
Officials said the decriminalisation of laws will cover a wide range of statutes, including those related to revenue, municipal administration, and other regulatory frameworks.
By converting imprisonment clauses into fines, the government hopes to foster a more business-friendly environment while ensuring accountability through financial penalties.
