Panaji : Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho spoke about the recent amendment which was passed to the Panchayat Raj act. The bill that was passed in today’s assembly session allows for the construction of new house by demolishing old one within the plinth area with the permission of local Panchayat.
Godinho said there are more than more than 50% illegal houses in Goan villages, these houses do not pay any house tax and they have no house number. “It is the duty of the government to provide house no. to these people. Through the amendment we have made this possible” added Godinho.
“People who don’t have a house number still get supply of water and electricity so isn’t it their duty to pay house tax? hence, we have made provision to collect house tax. This amendment does not confer legal identity on the house it merely identifies the house,” said Godinho.
If the house is constructed within the plinth area then the panchayat will give a house no. to it. “This bill is aimed to uplift the poor who toil day and night to build a better shelter for his/her family” he concluded.
