PANAJI
In a major relief to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community, the State government has notified the "Mukhya Mantri Janjatiya Mhaje Ghar Yojana", a new scheme that provides financial assistance of up to Rs 1 lakh to eligible ST beneficiaries for purchasing or regularising dwelling houses and land under the State's flagship Mhaje Ghar Yojana.
The scheme, announced in the State Budget 2026-27 by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, has come into force with the notification issued by the Tribal department. It aims to ease the financial burden on ST families seeking legal ownership of houses regularised under various amendments brought in through the Mhaje Ghar initiative.
Under the scheme, beneficiaries belonging to the Scheduled Tribe community with an annual family income not exceeding Rs 5 lakh will be eligible for reimbursement after completing the purchase or regularisation process.
The government has provided 100 per cent financial assistance, subject to a maximum of Rs 1 lakh, for the purchase or regularisation of pre-1972 dwelling houses with land. For post-1972 houses, beneficiaries will receive 50 per cent reimbursement, capped at Rs 1 lakh.
To avail the benefit, applicants must have already secured approval under the Mhaje Ghar Scheme through any of the notified legal provisions, including amendments to the Goa Legislative Diploma No. 2070, the Goa Land Revenue Code, the Goa Regularisation of Unauthorised Construction Act or the 20-Point Programme scheme.
Applications will be accepted by the Directorate of Tribal Welfare or the offices of Deputy Directors of Tribal Welfare, along with supporting documents including the regularisation order, payment challan, income and ST certificates, Aadhaar card, ration card, house tax receipt and bank details.
The Director of Tribal Welfare has been designated as the sanctioning authority, with assistance to be disbursed directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The scheme will remain in force for an initial period of two years, with a provision for extension by the government if required.
