Says decision will hurt Goans in UK PANJIM, MAY 29
In what could be inferred as a tit for tat response to Shantaram Naik on four-lanning of NH-17, PWD Minister Churchill Alemao today categorically announced that he would in no way support the Governments plan to ban sale of land to foreigners. Addressing a press conference in the city, Alemao said that during his recent visit to the United Kingdom he was confronted by several people over the issue. They told me that if you are going to send our people back by banning the sale of land we too will return the compliment, he said. Churchill said about 10 lakh Goan population is residing in the UK; they have bought properties worth lakhs and crorers. Every Goan living there has his own house there and how can we object to them buying property here? he asked. I can understand if it is a government land it cannot be sold to anyone. But, what is the problem (in selling) private land? he asked adding if you have any problem catch the seller not the buyer. I also dont understand under which law they will do this and I will never support the government on this issue, he said. It may be recalled that Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik, who had moved a Private Members Bill in the Parliament, had opposed the government plans to undertake the four-lanning of NH-17 from Patradevi to Polem on its own. It can be safely presumed that that the sudden outburst of Churchill could be a tit for tat response to Shantaram. The State government enacted a new Registration Act making it utmost difficult for foreigners to buy land in the State. Law Minister Dayanand Narvekar, presenting the new legislation in the House, said the government has taken a policy decision to ban foreigners from buying land in the State. Goa has recently witnessed unprecedented rush by foreigners to buy land, reportedly, in violation of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The State government which has come down heavily on such violations has enacted the Goa Registration Act in place of the 100-year-old Indian Registration Act making it difficult for foreigners to by land here. http://www.oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=4739&cid=26