Staff Reporter
Panaji
Easing the norms, the panchayats directorate has issued a new circular designating the village panchayat secretary as the sole point of contact for issuing no objection certificates (NOCs) for the repair of single dwelling units.
The move, aimed at simplifying the process and reducing delays, was introduced to ease the burden on villagers, as stated by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant following a cabinet discussion on
the matter.
Under the revised guidelines, the village panchayat secretary now has the authority to approve repair permits for existing single dwelling units without requiring a site inspection report from the block development officer. This change is expected to expedite the approval process, allowing repairs to commence promptly without unnecessary
hold-ups.
“If the village panchayat secretary fails to determine whether such permission should be given or not and communicate its decision to the applicant immediately after receipt of application or in any case within period three days from the date of receipt of application, then such permission shall be deemed to have been granted and applicant may commence the repair work within scope of repairs, but not in contravention with any law in force,” it stated.
Once an application is submitted, the secretary is required to process it within three working days. If the repair request is approved, the necessary fees must be collected before the permission is granted.
The directorate of panchayats emphasised that this change is essential for the safety and structural integrity of homes, ensuring repairs are carried out swiftly to prevent further damage.
Applicants seeking repair permission must submit a sketch or plan of the existing structure, along with photographs and a certificate from a registered architect or structural engineer. This certificate should confirm the feasibility of the proposed repairs, including an estimated cost.
Additionally, the property must have been legally registered for house tax purposes for at least five years before the application is made.
