I am writing to express concerns over the "Mhaje Ghar Yojana" in Goa, which appears to be a very obvious political stunt. If houses are built illegally, implying they lack proper documentation, how will the date of construction be proved? Moreover, while hardworking, tax-paying citizens buying genuine houses pay a stamp duty and registration fee of up to 8%, would it be fair to allow this charade for Rs 1000 and Rs 5000? With the revised average price of Goan houses now at Rs 75,000 per square metre, a 100 square metre property would cost Rs 75 lakhs, incurring a minimum stamp duty and registration fee of Rs 6 lakhs. Secondly, the Chief Minister has emphasized that this initiative is for the welfare of Goans. However, slums like Moti Dongor in Margao and Zuarinagar in Vasco house more migrant populations than Goan-born residents. It is no hidden fact that the population in these areas has political protection. In fact, a news report captured an act during a recent inauguration of the Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandir at Moti Dongor where assurance of protection was given to illegal houses.
