Goa Govt to Introduce Law for Relief on Illegal Homes; Legal Firm to Draft Legislation: CM Sawant

Porvorim 28 March 2025: In response to recent High Court directives concerning illegal constructions in Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced on Thursday that the state government will introduce new legislation to protect the rights of individuals affected by these orders. To aid in drafting this legislation, a legal firm will be appointed.

The announcement followed the inaugural meeting of a high-powered committee chaired by Sawant to address the High Court’s rulings on unauthorized constructions. The meeting included Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate, Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho, department secretaries, and the Advocate General.

Discussions centered on providing relief for unauthorized homes and structures on comunidade and mundkar lands. Sawant stated, “The issue of illegal homes on comunidade lands is being studied to determine if relief can be given under the regularization Act. We will streamline it and provide relief to people.”

He further emphasized the government’s commitment to finding a solution, whether through policy decisions or new legislation, and mentioned the appointment of a legal firm to study the issue and facilitate the legislative process.

Addressing unauthorized roadside structures, Sawant announced a 15-day period for relocation. “We gave instructions to all that henceforth, no illegal structures will be allowed on roadsides, comunidade lands, or government lands,” he said. Structures must be situated beyond 15 meters from a road, and notices will be issued to establishments that need to shift within the given timeframe.

Revenue Minister Monserrate described the meeting as preliminary and noted that most illegal structures were on Public Works Department land.

These developments come in the wake of the High Court of Bombay at Goa’s recent orders to address illegal constructions. In March 2025, the court mandated the completion of geo-mapping within a year to track unauthorized constructions and criticized the state government’s inaction on the issue. The court also directed village revenue officials to inspect illegal constructions on paddy fields and submit reports to initiate demolition drives.

In December 2023, the High Court ordered the sealing of 61 illegal structures at Girkarwado-Dando, Arambol, following a joint survey that identified these establishments operating without proper permissions.

These judicial actions underscore the necessity for legislative measures to balance enforcement with the protection of residents’ rights.