Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: In a significant move to streamline urban development procedures and enhance business facilitation, the Goa Legislative Assembly on Thursday approved amendments to two major laws — the City of Panaji Corporation Act, 2002, and the Goa Municipalities Act, 1968.
The amendment to the City of Panaji Corporation Act, tabled by Urban Development Minister Vishwajit Rane, introduces a “deeming provision” aimed at addressing bureaucratic delays. Under the new provision, if the Commissioner or relevant authority fails to act on a building construction application within 60 days, approval will be assumed as granted. The reform is part of the government’s initiative to improve its Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) implementation and strengthen the Ease of Doing Business framework.
A similar deeming clause has been incorporated into the Goa Municipalities Act through another amendment bill also passed on Thursday. The legislation applies the same 60-day auto-sanction provision across all municipal bodies in the State, outside of Panaji.
Additionally, the bill increases the number of electoral wards in all ‘A’ Class municipalities from 25 to 27. The change is part of amendments made to Section 9 of the Goa Municipalities Act, 1968.
Further changes to Section 188 of the Act seek to reduce delays in issuing completion certificates and permissions for occupancy or usage of buildings — again, in alignment with BRAP goals.
The twin legislations mark a push toward greater administrative efficiency and regulatory ease in Goa’s urban governance.
