Goa CM: Bare minimum GST on housing

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant mentioned that the recently reconstituted group of ministers (GoM) on the real estate sector were of the view that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on housing should be kept to a bare minimum to make housing more affordable for the common man. He stated that a final decision would be made at the next meeting, scheduled to take place in Goa on either September 23 or 24. This was one of the key issues discussed during the GoM meeting, which Sawant chaired. The GoM also emphasised the need to boost the real estate sector under GST.

Sawant further noted that three major issues were discussed during the meeting: GST on properties leased by the government for more than 30 years, matters related to housing societies, and whether to impose GST on redevelopment projects. He highlighted that this was the first meeting held after four years.

Additionally, Sawant mentioned that another issue under consideration was whether a minimum GST should be imposed on houses that have undergone redevelopment, and that the state government has been asked to provide data on housing societies and industrial plots. He added that West Bengal, Punjab, and Maharashtra had already submitted their proposals, and all states have been asked to submit details of their redevelopment schemes and revenue losses.

Sawant explained that various issues related to the real estate sector and submissions from state governments were discussed. The council decided to obtain updated data from all states on each agenda point to study the detailed revenue implications and other issues before making decisions.

Referring to Dabolim airport, Sawant stated that he would travel to Delhi again to meet with the defence minister to request more slots at Dabolim airport for airlines. He also urged Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu to prevent domestic airlines from shifting their operations from Dabolim airport to Manohar International Airport at Mopa. Additionally, he requested the minister to authorise new international flights for Dabolim and to reduce parking fees and user development fees, stating that these measures would help sustain operations at the airport.