Panaji: State govt has approved the transfer of 96,512 sqm of govt land at Parcem in Pernem to Goa Housing Board for construction of the state’s first affordable housing complex under a scheme aligned with the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).The Housing Board had identified the govt-owned land and sought its transfer to undertake the project. The proposal was examined by the revenue department under the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968, following a report from the North Goa collector.The collector reported that the land was freehold govt land with cashew and other plantations. Before taking a decision, govt sought details of the proposed development, including the plan and intended use of the land.The managing director of Goa Housing Board subsequently stated that govt intends to develop affordable housing complexes in every taluka of the state in line with PMAY.Board has also accorded administrative approval for acquiring land and appointed a consultant to formulate an affordable housing policy for development and implementation across Goa. Following an invitation for quotations, CBRE South Asia Pvt Ltd was appointed as the consultant.The managing director said that land acquisition could become a hurdle to implementing the scheme across all talukas. The Board has, therefore, explored the possibility of making govt, revenue department and communidade land available for affordable housing projects.
