VASCO
Admitting that people sometimes prefer constructing illegal structures because the process for approvals is time-consuming, tedious and complicated, Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho on Saturday claimed that the State government has simplified the process by an amendment to the Panchayati Raj Act.
“This amendment to the Panchayati Raj Act is being mixed up with the Bhoomiputra Adhikarini Bill by the opposition. Previously, there was no provision in the Act for anyone building a terraced house and there was no question of getting approvals and permissions.”
“Now, the amendment to the Panchayati Raj Act has a provision for imposing house tax which will now benefit 50 percent of Goan houses which do not have house numbers,” said Godinho, while speaking to reporters.
"Even today while we were having a video conferencing with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant during the Swayampurna Goa event, many panchayats have welcomed the amendment.”
He said one panchayat had reported that there were houses in their jurisdiction since 1970 and while only 2,600 houses were taxed, more than 4,000 houses could not be taxed right from the beginning.
"Are these people not Goans? The opposition just wants to misguide and instigate people with their false propaganda. We must remember that when we bring in a legislation for Goans, some others may also benefit.”
“We are bringing in this legislation for Goans but it will be applicable for everyone and i wonder why the opposition wants to unnecessarily put a divide among people," said Godinho.
He said amendment to the Panchayati Raj Act will benefit people living in tiled houses to upgrade into a concrete terraced house and later have an additional floor as the family expands.
“Sometimes, people prefer building these structures illegally because the entire process to seek approvals is complicated and procedures for permissions can go on for months together.”
“This is why, we have simplified the system and have stated that within an existing plinth area, a certificate for structural stability from any structural engineer or architect should be obtained so that these houses do not collapse.”
“We have simplified the process and this step has been welcomed by a lot of people but the opposition sees this as a threat in the upcoming assembly elections," Godinho added.
