After decades, residents to get flat ownership rights
VASCO
In a major relief for more than 350 families residing in Goa Rehabilitation Board (GRB) housing units at Sada, Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar and Goa Rehabilitation Board Chairman Rajesh Faldessai on Tuesday announced that residents will receive ownership rights to their flats within a month, bringing an end to a wait that has stretched for decades.
The announcement was made during a public interaction with residents, many of whom have spent years occupying the housing units without legal ownership despite repeatedly raising the issue before successive governments and public representatives.
Addressing residents, Rajesh Faldessai said the long-pending process of transferring ownership rights has finally reached its concluding stage and all eligible beneficiaries will soon receive the necessary documents. He said the decision would provide much-needed security to families who have been living in the housing complex for several years.
Faldessai further stated that the beneficiaries would not only receive ownership of the housing units but would also be granted rights over the land attached to the premises. He explained that the move would significantly improve the financial and developmental prospects of the residents.
“Once the ownership and land rights are granted, residents will be able to avail loans from financial institutions by mortgaging their properties. They will also have the freedom to form cooperative societies and undertake redevelopment of the premises in the future if required,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Sankalp Amonkar said the issue had remained unresolved for many years despite repeated demands from residents. He credited Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for intervening in the matter and ensuring that the process moved forward.
Amonkar said one of the major concerns among residents was the financial burden associated with obtaining ownership documents. However, following discussions with the Chief Minister, the charges were reduced and fixed at just Rs 1,000 per housing unit.
In a gesture that drew applause from the gathering, Amonkar announced that he would personally bear the amount on behalf of all beneficiaries, ensuring that no resident is required to pay the fee.
The announcement was welcomed by residents, many of whom described it as a historic moment for the Sada housing colony. Several families said they had almost lost hope of ever receiving ownership rights after spending decades in uncertainty.
With the final formalities expected to be completed within a month, hundreds of families are now set to become legal owners of their homes, ending a long chapter of uncertainty and providing them with greater financial security and future opportunities.
