PANAJI
The Goa government will be introducing a Bill in the upcoming Assembly session to regularise unauthorised houses and structures built on government and comunidade lands.
Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho confirmed the move during Prudent Media's Head On, stating that humanitarian considerations and judicial precedents guided the decision.
He insisted the government was acting in alignment with the directions issued by the High Court of Bombay at Goa. “The last time, our ordinance was almost ready... This Assembly session, there will be a Bill to legalise the houses. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has assured this and all ministers are aware,” he said.
He questioned whether it was justifiable to evict entire families, some of whom have been living in these structures for three generations. “Whether Supreme Court or High Court, it does not say demolish all the houses. Their orders also leave a window of opportunity for legalising. They always allow it by following due process of law,” the minister argued.
The State is under strict judicial scrutiny over the rise in unauthorised constructions. In March, the High Court severely criticised the government for permitting “unbridled and illegal constructions” and directed immediate action to contain the “menace.”
As part of its compliance, the State has informed the Court that action has been initiated against 1,506 illegal structures in North Goa located on paddy fields, government land, and tenanted land. Over 3,000 similar structures have been identified in South Goa.
Elaborating on the categories of unauthorised dwellings, Godinho said there are three types – those built on own land without permission, on comunidade land, and on government land. "In some cases, following due process, houses/structures have already been legalised," he added.
He estimated that more than 30-35,000 houses exist illegally on comunidade land and another 5,000 to 10,000 on government land. The number is even higher in cases involving privately owned land without approval.
“Can the government go ahead and demolish all these houses, given how massive the numbers are? What is the other way out? There are only two options: either continue demolitions or come up with a law to legalise these houses—wherever they may be—through due legal process,” he said.
Recalling the chaos witnessed during past slum demolitions, Godinho emphasised the social costs of mass evictions. “Today, the third generation is living on these lands. Should we remove them and demolish?” he questioned.
