PANAJI: On Wednesday, the Goa cabinet approved the ‘Mhajo Flat’ scheme, aimed at providing ownership rights to thousands of flat owners who have faced legal challenges due to disputes between builders and landowners or abandoned projects.
During a press conference post-cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that the scheme would assist owners of flats purchased decades ago, who have thus far held only agreement-based rights.
Moreover, it will encourage the redevelopment of aging residential buildings throughout the state.
According to Sawant, the scheme will involve coordinated amendments to the Cooperative Societies Act, the Indian Stamp Act, and other relevant provisions under the Revenue Department, aiming to streamline the process of unilateral deemed conveyance.
“Many individuals bought flats 30 to 40 years ago but still lack ownership because builders did not execute the conveyance deed or disputes arose between developers and landowners,” the CM explained.
Under this scheme, flat owners can establish a cooperative housing society, which will have the authority to procure the conveyance of land, even if the developer is unavailable or disputes are ongoing between the builder and the landowner.
The cooperative department will assist in the process and mediate in cases where disputes have hindered conveyance, Sawant added.
“The land will be transferred to the cooperative housing society, allowing residents to redevelop old buildings,” he stated.
Applicants will be required to pay a one-time registration fee of Rs 10,000 along with a nominal stamp duty of Rs 1,000.
Furthermore, the government has established a tiered stamp duty structure based on location: coastal and major urban zones are classified as Category A, municipalities as Category B, and remote villages as Category C.
Sawant mentioned that the notification for the scheme would be released within two days and will remain active for approximately two years.
The amendments to the Cooperative Societies Act of 2001 and the Indian Stamp Act of 1899, alongside the reduction in stamp duty for unilateral deemed conveyance, are geared towards ensuring ownership rights for genuine flat purchasers.
The government anticipates that this scheme will resolve long-standing ownership issues and facilitate the redevelopment of numerous aging apartment complexes across Goa.
