Panaji: In a measure aimed to rationalise
the real estate prices in Goa, the state government has
decided to levy hefty occupancy tax on those dwellings
purchased by non-Goans and left unoccupied, often used as
holiday homes.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said that such purchases
have led to hike in real estate prices in the state, which has
made the housing unaffordable for middle class families living
in Goa.
The state government has resolved to formulate the policy
to levy occupancy tax, which would be hefty discouraging the
practice of `holiday homes`.
The State Level Steering Committee (SLSC), a body of
experts formed to frame regional plan 2021, a futurist land
use plan for the state, had recommended the tax as a deterrent
to escalating real estate prices and stress on land resources.
Goa has been a destination to buy second home for many
urbanites from metros like Delhi and Mumbai, who often use it
only for vacation.
Rahul Deshpande, an architect and SLSC member, said that
soaring land prices was of a great concern for the planners
who had sat to decide the land use for future.
"There is no sanity in rising prices which has made
housing unaffordable for middle class Goans," he said, adding
that many non-goans who buy house here occupy it once a year,
may be for New Year celebrations.
The planners hence felt the need to tax such houses, he
said adding that these people don’t contribute for the economy
of the state.
Deshpande explained that those people who do not have
domicile certificate of Goa and don’t occupy the structure
which they have purchased will have to pay the tax.
The State government has exempted those people who have
their businesses in the state as they contribute for states
economy.
PTI
