The Goa government has established new regulations requiring that 20% of community land acquired under specific housing projects be set aside for affordable dwellings for Gaonkars, the indigenous inhabitants of Goan villages, in a significant step towards guaranteeing equitable housing construction. This program seeks to advance equitable urban expansion throughout the state while defending the rights of local communities.
As per the standards, any community land that is developed for residential or mixed-use purposes must now set aside one-fifth of its entire area for Gaonkars-only affordable housing. The action is a component of the government’s larger strategy to reconcile the need to protect local residents’ socioeconomic interests with the fast rise of real estate. To guarantee adherence to these new regulations, the Department of Town and Country Planning (TCP) and local panchayats will work together to oversee the implementation.
According to officials, the action was taken in response to village communities’ worries about losing their customary land rights as a result of rising urbanization and expensive real estate. The government aims to give Gaonkars a fair chance to buy homes in their ancestral locations by setting aside a portion of the developed land for them. Additionally, the rule seeks to ensure that communities benefit from ongoing development projects without displacing them.
Affordable housing components must now be included in project proposals submitted for approval by developers operating on communal property. The government will set the price of these units, considering things like building expenses, amenities, and location. The plan is anticipated to guarantee sustainable development in Goa’s rapidly expanding real estate industry and to establish a more equitable housing ecosystem.
All things considered, the strategy is a careful effort to safeguard Gaonkars’ cultural and residential rights while promoting structured growth. It reaffirms the government’s dedication to social justice and responsible land use planning, establishing a framework that can serve as an example for other states with robust community land traditions.
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