PANAJI: In the coming days, over 50,000 homes in Goa will be regularized as a result of three laws passed during the recent monsoon session of the legislative assembly.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that the ‘Majhe Ghar’ initiative has led to several “bold, compassionate, and people-centric” reforms, ensuring every Goan family can claim their fundamental rights.
Under the Goa Land Revenue Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, homes constructed on government land by landless, long-term residents before February 28, 2014, can now be regularized. Class-I occupancy will be granted for areas up to 400 sqm (including a 2m buffer).
“A strict no-transfer clause will apply for 20 years, and false declarations will result in legal penalties, ensuring security for those who have built homes with hope but without rights,” said Sawant. “This law will benefit 24,270 families, including 22,086 Goan families and 2,184 non-Goan families.”
Regarding the regularization of houses on encroached comunidade land, Sawant mentioned the Goa Legislative Diploma No 2070 (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which permits the regularization of houses built by landless individuals on comunidade land prior to February 28, 2014.
“Eligibility is restricted to long-term Goan residents, with a maximum area of 300 sqm. Consent from the comunidade and compensation are required, and no regularization will occur in protected areas such as CRZ, forests, or tenanted land,” Sawant clarified. “This is a one-time humanitarian measure that seeks to uphold dignity while protecting community rights, benefiting 19,259 families, including 14,302 Goan families and 4,957 non-Goan families.”
With the Goa Regularisation of Unauthorized Construction (Amendment) Bill, 2025, a new two-year window has been opened for applicants who previously missed deadlines or faced rejections. Co-owner consent is no longer necessary, with area limits raised to 600 sqm in rural areas and 1,000 sqm in urban areas.
“Structures on regularized comunidade and government land are eligible, including CRZ dwellings built before February 19, 1991,” he added. “A review mechanism has also been established to streamline decisions and minimize delays.”
So far, under this act, the state government has received 10,239 applications: 2,133 approved, 4,770 rejected, and 3,334 are still under review.
