In a significant move aimed at streamlining administrative procedures, the Goa state government has approved a key amendment to reduce the time taken for issuing crucial land conversion documents. The decision, taken on Wednesday, targets the Goa Land Revenue Code of 1968, specifically cutting down the statutory period for granting conversion sanads.
What is Changing for Land Conversion in Goa?
The core of the amendment lies in the timeline. The existing period of 60 days for the collector to decide on an application for conversion of land use will be reduced to 45 days. This change is a direct outcome of the Union government's nationwide initiative on compliance reduction and deregulation.
This central initiative, spearheaded by a task force under the Cabinet Secretary, aims to help states and Union Territories reform their regulatory frameworks. The ultimate goals are to enhance the ease of doing business and improve the ease of living for citizens by simplifying cumbersome processes.
The Push for Deregulation and Simplification
Under this central framework, various priority areas were identified and assigned to different state departments. For Goa's Revenue Department, a key focus area was the simplification of the process for changing land use in both urban and rural areas, with an emphasis on establishing clear, defined timelines.
Rationalising the time taken to grant conversion sanads was marked as a critical component. A conversion sanad is an official document issued under the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968, read with the rules for conversion of use of land and non-agricultural assessment. It is essential for legally changing the purpose for which a piece of land can be used.
During review meetings under the deregulation drive, it was observed that the 60-day statutory period could potentially be reduced. References were made to other states like Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, where similar applications are processed within a shorter timeframe. This benchmarking exercise paved the way for Goa's proposed amendment.
Implications and Expected Outcomes
The decision to amend the code is expected to have a positive impact on the state's business environment and project execution. By shortening the waiting period for land use conversion, the government aims to:
- Accelerate investment projects that are dependent on clear land titles and usage permissions.
- Reduce uncertainty for applicants, including individuals and developers, by providing a quicker decision.
- Enhance Goa's ranking in ease of doing business indicators by demonstrating a commitment to procedural efficiency.
- Streamline the overall regulatory process as part of a broader, system-wide deregulation effort.
This amendment represents a concrete step by the Goa government to translate the central deregulation policy into actionable change at the state level. It signals an intent to cut red tape and make governance more responsive to the needs of economic activity and development.
