Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Jul 31: In a significant move likely to benefit thousands of Goans, the state government has introduced a bill in the Legislative Assembly to grant ownership rights for houses built on encroached government land before February 28, 2014.

The amendment to the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968, was presented by Revenue Minister Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate late Tuesday night. It proposes the addition of Section 38A, allowing regularisation of pucca houses by conferring ‘Class I’ occupancy—essentially ownership status—to eligible applicants.

However, the ownership comes with conditions. The house cannot be sold for 20 years after regularisation. Only the land on which the house stands and an additional two metres on each side—up to a maximum of 400 square metres—can be granted. Any surplus land will revert to the government.

To qualify, the applicant must have been residing in Goa for at least 15 years, and the structure must have existed prior to the cut-off date. Applications must be submitted within six months from when the amendment comes into force. The Deputy Collector must dispose of each application within six months.

An ‘occupancy fee’ will be levied at rates fixed by the government through a special order. Any attempt to submit false information will invite a fine up to Rs 2 lac and imprisonment of up to two years.

The move is expected to provide legal relief to hundreds of families across the state who have been living in uncertainty regarding the ownership of their homes.