PANAJI
In yet another major reform, the State government has decided to empower local bodies, such as panchayats, to issue construction licenses for the reconstruction of existing houses, provided it is within the plinth area and in accordance with the applicable Floor Area Ratio (FAR).
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday informed the House that a circular in this regard will be issued shortly. He said that house owners need not go to the TCP department for a construction license for reconstruction of the house.
“We are coming up with the circular, wherein panchayats or municipalities will be empowered to issue construction licenses for reconstruction of the house if it is within the plinth area and within FAR. There will be no requirement of TCP approval,” he said.
Sawant also announced the government’s citizen-friendly reform for families in shared homes across Goa in Municipal areas. The provision was applicable in panchayat areas so far.
Sawant said that the families can now get separate house numbers for portions of existing homes, allowing independent water and electricity connections and no complex title documents needed. He said that the approvals will be granted within 15-days’ time through a simple and transparent process.
The Chief Minister informed the House about the government decision to regularise old houses constructed before 1972, including those located on Alvara or Bhatkar land, provided they are marked on the survey plan.
The process, which begins on August 1, will involve the issuance of crucial certificates-Settlement Land Certificate from Deputy Collector and Structure Regularization certificate from either Panchayat or Municipality, as per the structural jurisdiction, he added.
He said that the panchayat and municipalities are also directed to ensure that the house repair certificates are issued within three days. “The implementation has already started; those secretaries not doing in time bound manner, we will tighten them,” Sawant said.
