PANAJI : The Goa Housing Board has moved to amend the rules and process for the allotment of housing plots through auction. One of the key changes made to the rules stipulates that the board must set the minimum price for a plot based on the minimum land prices fixed by the revenue department.
The allotment committee has been replaced by a scrutiny committee, which must complete the scrutiny process for all applications within 30 days. The new norms are part of the tweaks to the Goa Housing Board (Registration, Allotment and Sale of Plots) Rules.
“The board shall fix the minimum price per sqm of a plot, including the minimum price for the auction category, by taking into consideration the rates fixed by the revenue department for a particular land. This includes the charges for the development of the land for arriving at the fixation of the price of the plot. Such price per sqm shall be final and binding on the allottee,” said the Goa Housing Board in a notification.
As per the earlier rules, the board would fix the prices for plots. Govt is keen to plug revenue leakages and wants to capture the true value of land transactions in the state. The revenue department has simultaneously moved to increase minimum land rates for Salcete, Tiswadi, and Mormugao. Minimum rates for Pernem and Bardez have already been increased.
“Notice is given that the draft rules shall be taken into consideration by govt after the expiry of the period of 15 days from the date of publication of this notification,” said a notification issued by the joint secretary (housing), Amalia Pinto.
The new norms require the successful allottee to pay the full amount within a period of 90 days from the date of receipt of the order of allotment. Earlier, a period of 20 days was given. Failure to make the full payment will lead to the forfeiture of 5% of the initial deposit. Earlier, the board would forfeit 15% of the initial deposit.
Once a plot is allotted, the person needs to construct a residential house or bungalow with a compound wall over the allotted plot within a period of three years from the date when the sale letter is issued. Failure to construct within the stipulated period allows the Goa Housing Board to take back the plot, and the payment shall be refunded after forfeiting the entire initial deposit.
The managing director of the board may extend the period to construct a house to a maximum of 10 years on payment of a penalty for delayed construction. Currently, a period of eight years is given to construct a bungalow.
The board has also made it mandatory for the conveyance deed to be executed for the transfer of the residential plot after the expiry of five years from the occupancy certificate. In the case of institutional plots, once the construction is complete and the occupancy certificate is issued, the board will execute a conveyance deed towards the transfer of the plot in favour of the institution.
