Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Sep 15: The Goa government has announced plans to implement a housing project in each taluka to benefit citizens who are homeless or unable to afford their own homes. The projects will be executed through the Goa Housing Board (GHB).

GHB Chairman Jit Arolkar told TOI that the first project will be in Pernem, featuring 100 1BHK flats. Residents of the taluka will be eligible for allotment under a long-term lease of 100 years through the Chief Minister Awas Yojana, ensuring flats are used only by deserving beneficiaries.

Arolkar explained that the long-term lease system prevents misuse, such as reselling or renting the flats. “If an allottee becomes financially capable of buying a house, they should vacate the flat for another needy person,” he said.

The Pernem project is in its final stage, with the foundation stone expected to be laid by year-end. GHB will use its own land where available and acquire land from the revenue department or comunidades where necessary.

During the recent monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly, CM Pramod Sawant had announced a Goa-specific housing scheme for the homeless, similar to the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Two government land patches in Pernem have been identified for the construction of 1BHK flats under this initiative.