The Goa Town and Country Planning (TCP) department has issued a fresh directive mandating that no-objection certificates (NOCs) must be obtained for land transfers or changes in ownership rights, especially when the land lacks permission for sub-division or development. This new instruction, issued by Chief Town Planner Vertika Dagur, aligns with written instructions from TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane. The directive emphasizes that NOCs will only be issued when permissible under the regulations and guidelines set forth by the department.
To register a sale deed or alter ownership rights for a plot of land, property owners must secure an approval certificate or NOC from the TCP department if the land is not authorized for sub-division or development. However, there are exceptions to this requirement. Notably, a certificate is not necessary for land transfers within families due to inheritance or if the land is being mortgaged to a government-notified financial institution. These exemptions aim to simplify the process in specific cases, ensuring smoother transactions. Despite these exceptions, the TCP department has noticed that NOCs were sometimes being issued without meeting the set regulations. In 2021, a relaxation was introduced where NOCs were not required for sales involving areas smaller than 4,000 sqm, provided the sale adhered to road widening standards.
Previously, the demand for NOCs had been causing hardships for the public and impacting the state’s revenue. In response, the TCP department relaxed the requirements for certain categories of land transfers, particularly where formal sub-division approvals were not necessary. This adjustment was designed to ease administrative burdens while ensuring compliance with land development and planning standards. With the latest directive, the TCP department aims to enforce stricter adherence to land planning regulations, ensuring that land development in Goa follows prescribed rules, while still accommodating specific exemptions that streamline transactions.
