In the wake of the passing of the Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, the government has revealed that about 6.50 lakhs houses in Goa have been given house numbers and also water and electricity connections but only 20 per cent of them have construction licences. This means that over 5 lakh houses in Goa are illegal. Several questions arise in this situation. How have a large number of illegal houses been built on comunidade lands when every comunidade has an elected committee, a substitute committee and also members living in the village ? No construction can come up anywhere in the village without the licence of the panchayat no matter to whom the land belongs. Are the panch members vigilant and proactive in this matter? To get house number as well as water and electricity connection, a citizen has to submit ownership document, construction licence, occupancy certificate etc. How were all these requirements overlooked?
Illegal and unauthorised constructions in Goa is a huge problem and the government should find an urgent solution to it . Having a relook at the cumbersome approvals and licensing procedures is one. Regularisation of illegal constructions is not the solution.
