Govt to crack down on foreigners violating FEMA regulations

Panaji, June 3: The Goa government has decided to crack down on foreign tourists buying immovable properties and doing business in violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

''Though we do not have the exact number of such foreigners who are here on tourist visas, we have information in some cases. And we will act against them as per the law,'' chief secretary J P Singh told UNI here today.

The foreigners should not buy land or other properties under the FEMA regulations without prior permission/clearance of the state Home Department.

Those who had already purchased, would be dealt with according to the law. The sub-registrars and Foreigners Registration Office would soon be instructed suitably in this regard, he said.

If necessary, disciplinary action would be initiated against the officers responsible for registering properties in the name of foreigners.

The government had taken serious note of reports that some foreigners on tourist visas had acquired properties and been running business, including shacks, in the busy tourist places in coastal Goa.

On the other hand, some of the property owners had been renting their homes to foreigners for doing business, on attractive returns.

In some areas like Anjuna and Calangute where influx of foreign tourists was high, the foreign businessmen, particularly Russians, had become law unto themselves, according to reports.

Under FEMA regulations, the foreigners could buy properties or do businesses only after they stay put legally for at least 182 days prior to their buying the property or starting business but only through clearance of the Home Ministry.

UNI