The Department of Law, Legal Affairs Division, Government of Goa, on September 18, 2026, published the Goa Ease of Doing Business (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2026. The Act seeks to reduce regulatory and compliance burden, decriminalize minor and technical contraventions, promote risk-based governance, facilitate time-bound business services and strengthen coordinated/single-window approval mechanisms.
Among the key amendments, the Goa Court-fees Act, 2024 is amended to distinguish fraudulent and non-fraudulent contraventions relating to sale of stamps, with a penalty of up to ₹10,000 for non-fraudulent violations and an adjudication mechanism before an officer not below the rank of Deputy Collector. A 30-day appeal to the Collector or designated appellate authority is provided, with appeals to be disposed of within 60 days. The Goa Industrial Development Act, 1965 is also amended to enable grant of freehold rights over plots/premises in industrial estates or areas, subject to prescribed terms and premium, with provisions for cancellation, penalties and appeals.
The amendments further strengthen the Industrial Planning and Developing Committee by incorporating officers from the Factories and Boilers Department, Fire and Emergency Services and Goa State Pollution Control Board, with specified powers relating to factory, fire-safety and pollution-control approvals in industrial areas, including certain consents under the Water and Air Acts for industries other than red-category industries. The Act also amends the Goa (Right of Citizens to Time-Bound Delivery of Public Services) Act, 2013 by introducing concepts such as “business entity”, “business service” and an “electronic service delivery platform”. The Act will come into force on dates appointed by the Government through notification, with different dates permissible for different provisions.
[Goa Act 19 of 2026]
