Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Oct 3: The State government has notified amendments to the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, granting panchayats the power to seal premises where businesses are operating without valid local body licences.

The amendment, passed during the monsoon session of the State Legislative Assembly, also introduces a simplified process for repair permissions in single-dwelling units. Panchayat secretaries will now be able to issue such permissions directly, without needing approval in a panchayat meeting.

A new provision has been inserted into the Act to address the absence of powers to seal unlicensed businesses. “If any person, without obtaining a licence from the panchayat, carries on any trade or occupation in any premises within the panchayat jurisdiction, the panchayat shall, after giving an opportunity of being heard to such person, seal such premises,” the amendment reads. However, sealing will not apply if a licence application is already under consideration.

To speed up clearances, the government has reduced time limits: from 30 to 15 days for construction licences, from 45 to 15 days for occupancy certificates, and from 15 to 7 days for trade licences.

In addition, the government has notified the City of Panaji Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2025, cutting the sanction period for building permissions from 60 days to 15 days.

The Goa Tax on Infrastructure (Amendment) Act, 2025 has also been notified, allowing infrastructure tax and service charges to be collected in two instalments — 50% upon technical clearance and the balance 50% upon completion certification.