Goa shouldn’t regularise land bought illegally by foreigners: Congress

Panaji, Nov 10 (IANS) Prime land in Goa purchased by foreigners in violation of India’s foreign exchange norms should not be regularised, the Congress’ unit here said Saturday.

“Land acquired by foreigners who have no respect for the laws of the land should not be rewarded. Why should the Goa government regularise properties of those who have violated FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA),” said Goa Congress working president Francisco Sardinha.

Over 300 real estate deals involving foreigners are being currently probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) after the state government handed over the cases to the central agency following uproar about foreigners illegally buying land in Goa.

“The chief minister has reportedly assured British nationals that the state would ask the central government to regularise the properties bought by foreigners in Goa. I am totally against this.

“Every country has its own rules and regulations,” said Sardinha, member of parliament from south Goa. He demanded that the “law breakers” should be punished.

“We want tourists. We want foreign investment, but not in violation of our laws,” Sardinha said.

IANS 2012-11-10 17:02:08