Goa to find legal course to debar foreigners from running business
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 27 July 2016 13:27 IST
Goa government is planning to debar foreigners from running business in Goa, an international tourist destination.
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar assured the House today to study the legalities and prohibit foreigners even from running business with local ‘fronts’.
The issue had come up with BJP MLA Michael Lobo pointing out at a case in Calangute where a foreigner has been issued liquor licence to run a night club by acquiring agricultural land.
Parsekar said there are two more cases of similar nature and they were issued liquor licences because these foreigners hold PIO card.
However, Lobo as well as Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai pointed out that no foreigner can buy agricultural land in Goa, thus it is illegal and in violation of FEMA.
Nuvem MLA Mickky Pacheco also joined the chorus, demanding suspension of their licences pending inquiry.
Responding to their demand, CM assured that he would immediately cancel the licence, if it is found to be illegal.
Parsekar however said the bigger issue than this is that foreigners are running business in coastal Goa with local ‘fronts’.
“I will try and find out solution for this trend in order to prohibit foreigners from running business in Goa”, he said.
Opposition leader Pratapsing Rane told the CM that he cannot make rules for the foreigners or the PIO card holders. The central government needs to do it.
