Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Jul 28: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has introduced a major citizen-friendly reform allowing families residing in shared homes across municipal areas in Goa to apply for separate house numbers. This move will help them avail independent water and electricity connections without the need for title documents.

“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,” Sawant said in a post on X. He stated that the initiative is part of the government’s commitment to good governance under the “Viksit Goa” vision.

The Directorate of Urban Development has issued a circular directing all 14 municipal councils and six municipal corporations to implement the reform immediately.

According to the circular, each independently functioning family unit in a legal structure can apply for a bifurcated house number. Once verified, the local body will issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for water and electricity supply. Applications will be processed within 15 working days.

Required documents include house tax receipts, Aadhaar cards, identity proof, and birth/death certificates that establish family links. If title documents are unavailable, a sworn affidavit and the death certificate of the original owner may be submitted.

The scheme is applicable only to legal residential structures within municipal areas. Unauthorised or illegal constructions will not be considered.