MAPUSA
More than two weeks after the State government issued a circular directing village panchayat secretaries to grant house repair licences within three days of application, several panchayats across the State are yet to receive a single application.
Despite the directive aimed at speeding up the process for issuing permissions to repair single-dwelling houses, many panchayats, including Sirsaim, Pilerne-Marra and Siolim-Oxel, have reported no applications.
Coastal panchayats like Candolim and Arambol have also seen little to no response.
Director of Panchayats Siddhi Halarnkar said the department has started receiving some applications, particularly from remote villages.
"The earlier procedure was lengthy and involved sending the applications to the Block Development Officers (BDOs) who would later fix for an inspection, which took three to four months. The new circular simplifies this by allowing secretaries to issue permissions within three days," Halarnkar explained.
She noted that urban and semi-urban villages, where most homes are built with concrete, are less likely to need frequent repairs, unlike rural areas.
“We expect applications to rise from remote villages, and I’ve already received some queries from such areas,” Halarnkar added.
Despite the seemingly simplified process, panchayat officials say residents may be hesitant due to the number of documents still required to obtain approval.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a panchayat secretary from North Goa said, “Although the process has been simplified administratively, it’s not so simple for applicants. They still need to produce a structural stability certificate from a registered engineer or architect and furnish proof that their house tax has been paid for the past five years. Obtaining these documents itself takes time.”
The circular also introduces a "deeming provision," which considers permission granted if the panchayat secretary fails to communicate a decision within three days of application. Previously, all such requests had to be approved in panchayat body meetings, further delaying the process.
The new directive shifts that responsibility to the panchayat secretary, significantly reducing processing time. However, this shift has created a new dynamic.
“Yes, the three-day window puts pressure on us, but it’s manageable – provided applicants come prepared with all documents,” one secretary said.
“The problem arises if many people come at once or if documents are incomplete. We cannot compromise on verification, even with the time limit,” he added.
The government hopes the reform will particularly benefit residents in rural areas, where homes may be more prone to wear and require timely repairs.
