Daijiworld Media Network- Porvorim

Porvorim, Aug 8: In a stormy session marked by repeated disruptions, the Goa Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed a bill to regularise unauthorised houses built on comunidade land before February 28, 2014. The move, pushed through despite loud protests from the opposition, is being described by the government as a “humanitarian gesture” to provide legal security to landless residents.

The bill — an amendment to the Goa Legislative Diploma No. 2070 dated April 15, 1961 — was introduced by Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate, who said it would benefit long-term residents living in houses on comunidade land without ownership rights. Under the new provision, the plinth area of the dwelling, plus two metres on all sides, up to a maximum of 300sqm, will be eligible for regularisation. Applications must be submitted within six months of the government’s notification, failing which eviction proceedings will follow.

The opposition, however, alleged that the move is a rebranded version of the earlier Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, calling it an attempt to force private entities to part with their land. Opposition MLAs stormed into the well of the House twice, prompting Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar to adjourn proceedings for five minutes on each occasion.

Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira demanded demolition of unauthorised structures, insisting that the law sends the wrong message. RGP MLA Viresh Borkar warned that the measure would mainly aid migrant encroachers, and called for limiting its benefits to landless Goans by origin.

Monserrate defended the bill, stating it aims to safeguard residents from eviction while simultaneously preventing further encroachment. “It is a one-time measure, not a free pass for future violations,” he stressed.

During the uproar, the Assembly also passed the Goa Regularisation of Unauthorised Construction (Amendment) Bill, 2025, granting a two-year extension for individuals to apply for regularising illegal houses and structures — up to 500sqm in villages and 600sqm in towns, including the capital city.