Mhaje Ghar extension and its implications
On March 25, the Goa Cabinet approved the Goa Land Revenue Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, along with an amendment to the Goa Legislative Diploma No 2070 to extend the ‘Mhaje Ghar’ scheme by a year. The scheme’s objective is to regularise houses built on govt and Comunidade lands. The scheme completes one year and is/was useful to those residing in rural and semi-urban areas. Several people benefitted as minor technical violations were relaxed but there is also a concern that irregular constructions that affect the environment are being legalised. There is a difference between ‘illegal’ and ‘irregular’ constructions, the latter could be by those who have built their houses after obtaining all approvals for the land and house yet, made some irregularities during or after the constructions. The former category applies to houses built on unlawfully occupied land. How can these be endorsed by the govt when honest people go through the long legal processes to acquire land and obtain all approvals to build? If the extension of the scheme is for vote bank, then it could be for three years or till all the illegalities and irregularities are legalised, whichever is later. On March 27, in the second edition of the Jan Vishwas Bill, introduced in Lok Sabha, it is proposed to levy a fine and jail the offenders who grab government land and misuse public premises. The penalty amount will be 5% of land value for every year of occupation, and 40 times the licence fee (rent to govt) for those illegally using public space. When the Bill is passed and implemented, would then the extension of ‘Mhaje Ghar’ be stopped?
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Underground cable faults
According to recent reports, the underground electrical infrastructure in the Arpora–Nagoa area of Goa has been facing persistent issues, with ongoing works causing disruptions rather than ensuring consistent power supply. At present, residents of Arpora village are experiencing frequent power outages, reportedly due to faults in the HT underground cables. If this is indeed the case, urgent corrective measures are required. I have no complaints about the departmental staff, who are doing their best under the circumstances. On the night of March 26, an operator at the Nagoa substation informed me that nearly four transformers had burnt out and restoration work was underway. However, another consumer was told that the issue stemmed from a fault in the HT underground cable, which linemen were trying to locate. This lack of clarity has left the public confused about the exact cause of the outages. In this area, most hotels have their own transformers, yet residents continue to face prolonged power cuts. Previous reports indicate that the main 33KV/11KV cabling in the region has suffered significant damage, with multiple cables requiring replacement, leading to extended outages in Arpora and Nagoa. The underground cabling projects have also been affected by water seepage and improper jointing, resulting in short circuits and intermittent supply failures. There has been criticism regarding the maintenance of these underground lines, with indications that repairs have not always been effective. While the objective of these projects was to enhance reliability, their implementation in Arpora has encountered considerable challenges, leading to recurring faults and operational issues. The Electricity Department has addressed many of these problems, and its staff have been efficient and dedicated. However, it is essential that contractors responsible for faulty technical work are held accountable. Strict action, including penalties for recurring faults in underground HT cables and other electrical works, must be enforced.
Rajesh Banaulikar, Arpora
War’s economic fallout
When the war broke out 30 days ago, some were quick to applaud the aggression. That response was not only premature but also uninformed. Even a basic understanding of crude oil, its by-products, and the crucial role of Gulf refineries should have urged caution. These are not distant or abstract assets; they are central to modern life. Every car, train, bus, and aircraft depends on them. So do chemicals, fertilisers, and significant segments of pharmaceutical production. From small enterprises to global industries, all are linked to a stable energy supply. When refineries in the Gulf are damaged or disrupted, the consequences do not remain local—they spread rapidly across the globe. The first impact is seen in rising energy prices, but it does not end there. Transport costs increase, food becomes more expensive, medicines cost more, and fertiliser shortages threaten agricultural output. What begins as a regional conflict soon escalates into a global economic shock. These effects are already visible, with rising food and drug prices and mounting inflationary pressures across economies. The longer this unnecessary aggression continues, the deeper and more widespread the damage will be. This is the reality many overlooked while cheering from a distance.
Jayanthy Subramaniam, Mumbai
