The State govern ment has issued three cir culars in compliance with the Supreme Court’s direc tions mandating that no permission be granted to buildings without obtain ing completion and occu pancy certificates, the High Court of Bombay at Goa was informed. The submission was made by the Addition al Government Advocate while the Court was hear ing a Public Interest Litiga tion (PIL) filed by Agnelo Francis Baretto. The three circulars were placed on record in compliance with the Su preme Court order dat ed December 17, 2024, passed in connection with two civil appeals con cerning unauthorised constructions. The circulars have been issued by the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department, the Direc torate of Urban Develop ment and the Directorate of Panchayats and have been communicated to all com petent authorities across the State with specific di rectives for strict compli ance. As per the circulars is sued last year, while grant ing building planning per missions, the concerned authority is required to obtain an undertaking from the builder or owner, as the case may be.
Further, after conducting a personal inspection and be ing satisfied that the construction has been carried out strictly in accordance with the approved building plan and without any deviations, the authority shall issue the com pletion and occupation certificate for residential or com mercial buildings without undue delay. The circulars also make it clear that essential service connections, including electricity, water supply and sew erage, shall be provided only after the production of valid completion and occupancy certificates. Service providers have been directed not to extend such facilities in the ab sence of the mandatory certificates. In November 2024, the Supreme Court had issued a comprehensive set of nationwide guidelines aimed at reg ulating demolition and addressing unauthorised construc tions. The directions were intended to curb arbitrary dem olition actions, often described as ‘bulldozer justice,’ while ensuring that enforcement actions are carried out strictly in accordance with due process and the rule of law. The State government’s circulars seek to implement these binding judicial directions at the ground level and strengthen compliance with planning and building regu lations.
