MAPUSA
The State cabinet on Friday decided to amend the Goa Panchayati Raj Act so as to issue house numbers to all illegal houses in panchayat areas ostensibly to collect house tax from such dwellings.
The cabinet also granted approval to bring another amendment to the Goa Panchayati Raj Act so as to allow people living in tiled houses in villages to construct ground plus one concrete residential structure with the permission of the local panchayat.
“House numbers will be issued only for taxation purpose. Issuing house numbers doesn’t mean the house is regularized. We are not promoting illegal houses, but existing ones will be asked to pay tax,” said Pramod Sawant, in a post-cabinet briefing.
Deputy Chief Minister, Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar and Panchayat Minister, Mauvin Godinho were also present.
According to Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho there was demand from everyone that all illegal houses in panchayat areas should be taxed.
“We will fix house tax to every structure which exists illegally. In most cases the houses are within the owner’s property,” Godinho said.
In another key decision, the government decided to allow residents in villages to construct terraced houses within the area of existing dwellings without having to approach different departments.
“A lot of people living in old tiled houses were facing harassment when they wanted to rebuild their houses. They had to get permission from different departments and in frustration people were building houses illegally. We don’t want illegal houses in Goa and that is why this amendment,” Godinho said.
He said this decision is for those who have tiled roofs and want to convert into a terrace house within the same plinth area. “They will get to build ground plus one structure within the same plinth area without going to other departments. Licence will be given directly by the panchayat. The panchayats will then issue the occupancy certificate and fix the house tax,” he said, adding that the structural engineer will have to approve the plan.
The CM informed that if any person was denied licence by the panchayat that person had the liberty to appeal before the director of panchayat.
