PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has announced a new reform aimed at easing the lives of families residing in shared homes across Goa’s municipal areas. Under the initiative, families living in portions of the same house will now be eligible to apply for separate house numbers”allowing them to obtain independent water and electricity connections. Crucially, no title documents will be required, and a 15-day approval timeline has been set.
In a post on X today, Sawant stated, “This is a citizen-friendly reform. Families living in one house but functioning separately will now have the right to get a separate house number. This will allow them to get separate water and electricity connections.” He emphasised that the reform aligns with the government’s good governance agenda and the broader “Viksit Goa” vision.
The Directorate of Urban Development issued a circular to all 14 municipal councils and six municipal corporations directing immediate implementation. “This will enable each family unit residing in the same house but functioning independently to avail separate utilities like electricity and water supply,” the circular states. It further adds, “The concerned local body shall issue a bifurcated house number and provide NOC for water and electricity connection based on verification of documents and site inspection.”
The circular lists acceptable documents as house tax receipts, identity proof, Aadhaar cards showing distinct family units, and birth/death certificates establishing family linkage. In the absence of title documents, a sworn affidavit and the death certificate of the original owner may be submitted. Applications must be processed within 15 working days from the date of submission.
Importantly, the reform will apply only to legal residential structures within municipal areas. Unauthorised or illegal constructions will not be considered under the scheme.
