Panaji: A six‑member team from the Cabinet Secretariat and NITI Aayog visited Goa to review the state’s implementation of phase‑II of the Centre’s compliance reduction and deregulation exercise, officials said. The state has been asked to accelerate reforms on land‑use change permissions, building approvals and utility clearances ahead of an Aug 31 progress submission to the Centre.
Central delegation and local review
The delegation, which met senior state officials and representatives of the business community, was led by Sunil Paliwal, chairperson of the Inland Waterways Authority of India, who also heads the taskforce for Goa. Meetings focused on identified priority areas where the state has sought simplification and faster clearances.
According to officials involved in the discussions, the central team examined proposals aimed at reducing compliance burden to improve the ease of doing business and ease of living for citizens and enterprises.
Key recommendations under consideration
One of the most consequential ideas discussed was removing statutory requirements for change of land use. The Centre has proposed that states consider doing away with any law that mandates explicit permission for change of land use, a move aimed at streamlining development processes.
“Now, the Centre is proposing to do away entirely with any law or regulation dealing with change of land use. The objective is to ensure that in the state, there should be no provision under any law requiring permission for change in land use,”
Officials also explored liberalising construction norms and recalibrating fire and life safety requirements, arguing that a ‘one size fits all’ approach may not be appropriate for every state or every project type.
- Land use: Consider eliminating mandatory change‑of‑land‑use permissions from state laws.
- Building approvals: Simplify construction approvals, potentially replacing strict references to the National Building Code with more flexible, state‑specific norms.
- Fire and safety: Review fire and life safety mandates to align with local conditions and remove blanket height‑based restrictions for certain buildings.
What the recommendations would mean for Goa
Officials said relaxing legal requirements for land‑use change could speed up development projects and remove procedural delays that investors and home‑builders face. Similarly, replacing prescriptive references to the National Building Code within state bylaws could allow Goa to adopt construction norms tailored to its geography, climate and urban form.
Sources cautioned, however, that such changes would require careful drafting to preserve safety standards, environmental safeguards and local planning objectives. The Centre’s note for phase‑II reportedly encourages states to balance deregulation with essential protections.
Possible legislative timeline
Government sources indicated that some of the recommended reforms may be tabled during the Goa Legislative Assembly’s monsoon session. The state has to present a status report to the Centre by Aug 31 on progress made under phase‑II.
| Priority area | Proposed change | Intended benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Land use | Remove requirement for change‑of‑land‑use permissions | Faster project approvals; fewer compliance steps |
| Construction approvals | Replace strict National Building Code references with liberalised norms | Contextual standards suited to state needs; reduced delays |
| Fire & life safety | Review height‑based restrictions; adapt standards | Proportionate regulation while maintaining safety |
Stakeholder consultations and next steps
Sunil Paliwal and the taskforce met industrialists and government functionaries to discuss practical challenges Goa has identified in implementing the priority reforms. The visits were described as part of a consultative process to fine‑tune recommended measures ahead of the state’s formal reply to the Centre.
Government sources said the central team also spoke about phase‑III of the deregulation exercise and sought inputs on strategic reforms that could further reduce compliance burden in the state.
Officials declined to provide a detailed timeline for any specific legislative amendments, saying the next steps would depend on feedback from department‑level consultations and stakeholder inputs. The state’s monsoon assembly session is expected to offer a forum for debate if draft proposals are tabled.
With the Aug 31 deadline approaching, Goa will need to weigh potential gains from faster approvals and investor confidence against the necessity of retaining safeguards for safety, environment and orderly planning.
