Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Aug 2: In a landmark decision set to benefit nearly one lakh structures across Goa, the state government has brought into effect a new circular from August 1 that regularises houses constructed before 1972, provided they are marked on official survey plans. These structures will now be treated as settled land, eliminating the need for fresh conversion sanads for reconstruction or legalisation.

The initiative aims to address long-standing confusion around land conversion norms under the Goa, Daman and Diu Land Revenue Code, 1968, especially for houses visible on survey records prepared around 1970–1972.

To qualify for regularisation:

• The structure must be reflected in Form I & XIV and shown on survey plans prepared under the 1968 Code.
• The house should occupy at least 25% of the plot.
• The total land area should not exceed 1,000 sq. metres.

Eligible homeowners will need to obtain two key documents:

1. Settlement Land Certificate from the Deputy Collector.
2. Structure Regularisation Certificate from the local Panchayat or Municipality, depending on the location.

“This move ends ambiguities and prevents inconsistent interpretations across departments,” the Revenue Department stated in its notification, noting that earlier, homeowners were being compelled to seek fresh conversion sanads even when their structures were clearly documented in historical records.

Residents can apply for regularisation by submitting supporting documents — Form I & XIV, Form D, and relevant survey records — along with a fee of Rs 1,000. If found eligible, certificates will be issued within one week, following a verification process that may involve consultation with the Directorate of Settlement and Land Records.

This streamlined process is expected to bring long-awaited legal clarity, ease of property transactions, and a boost to reconstruction or renovation efforts for thousands of Goan families living in decades-old ancestral homes.