GOANS ACROSS THE GLOBE HAVE DIVERSE PROBLEMS, IN VARYING SHAPE >From Frederick Noronha
PANJIM, Dec 29: Like the blind men of Hindoostan, the authorities trying to map out the problems and needs of Goa's expat communities are facing a tough time in defining the problem. So, a voluntary group based in South Goa's Margao town, one of the focal points of migration out of Goa, had some tips on what needs to be done. >From unscrupulous recruitment agents, to harrowing experiences at the local Passport Office, the sense of insecurity, difficulties with their properties back home, road-blocks in setting up their businesses... these are just some of the many problems that expat Goans face. The South Goa Public Interest Action Group's president Terrence Mazarello and program co-ordinator Godfrey J.I.Gonsalves made a detailed listing of these problems in a memorandum handed over at Sunday's Overseas Goans Convention. Non-resident Indians of Goan origin are settled mainly in Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, the city of Karachi, New Zealand, Portugal, the UK, USA, UAE and among sea-farers traversing the globe's oceans, they noted. "There is a Central law in place to regulate recruitment. Yet, unscrupulous recruiting agents are successful in duping job seekers. The lengthy litigation, often well beyond one's lifetime, (and) abetment of law enforcing authorities, dissuade the hvictims from filing complaints," the action group complained. This is particularly felt in the case of Gulf job seekers. They pointed out that intending migrants face a 'harrowing experience' at the Passport Office. Problems are caused due to requirements of multiple documents, 'emigration-clearance required' status being erroneously stamped, and insistence of employers' certificates even from private organisations. "CDC (shipping) applicants have to run to the Director General of Shhipping at Mumbai, time and again. Medicals are done in Mumbai alone. These could be done in Goa now that we are full-fledged state," said the action group. Besides, visa requirements are considered only at the respective consulates in Mumbai. Due to the lack of a Protector of Emigrants Office in Goa, intending migrants hhave to make a bee-line to Mumbai. Laws granting Goa employees a lien on their job -- in case they wish to migrate -- are not implemented in letter and spirit. Immigration is being tightened by many countries, but Goa lacks the power to absorb jobseekers. After struggling to earn and save, NRIs wish to build up assets in Goa or set up businesses, but this proves to be a difficult job too. SGPIAG pointed to teh "time-consuming running around" that NRIs have to do for the partition of their property, mutation, sanad conversion, approval of plans, conveyance, numerous affidavits, and the grant of powers of attorney. "Falsified documents and unreliable title deeds, even after validation by advocates, have resulted in several cases filed by NRIs in the consumer forums against builders, for defective titles," the group reminded. "Advocates, notaries, civil engineers, realtors, architects, evaluators, surveyors, talathis, politicians -- there is no difference. Each one demands his point of flesh, knowing fully well that thhe NRI's visit is short-lived," said the action group. It also detailed problems in expats setting up enterprises; hassles in getting birth and death certificates; difficulty in getting admission or coping with languages like Devanagari Konkani or Hindi; and even the fact that the elderly are becoming vulnerable to crime in Goa. "Dead bodies are disposed off abroad (in case expats die in harness). There is no support service either from the Indian Embassy officials or intervention to pursue compensation claims specially in cases of death under mysterious circumstance," said theh action group. This action group pointed to problems faced in retrieving ancestral property. "Eviction of persons encraching on lands of absentee NRIs is a time-consuming ordeal. Inventory proceedings are long drawn in the absence of judges. Archaic legal procedures have frustrated NRIs and compelled them to abandon ancestral land and house property, or sell them to builders or non-Goans for a song," said the SGPIAG. Much of Goa's emigration took place in the pre-1961 era when Goa was under Portuguese colonial rule, or after the 1974 oil embargo, they said. (ENDS) --------- NEW DELHI SEEKS TO DRAW PARTICIPATION OF GOAN NRIs >From Frederick Noronha PANJIM, Dec 29: New Delhi is planning to host a meet of NRIs who trace their origins to different parts of India from Jan 9-11, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, which is organising the event, made an attempt to draw the participation of Goan expats. "Overseas Indians are today estimated to be over 20 million spread over 110 countries across the world. As entrepreneurs, workers, teachers, researchers, inventors, doctors, lawyers, engineers, managers and administrators and even political leaders (they) are serving their host countries with distinction," says an introduction to the event. Ficci welcome the participation of Goan expats for the meet. It aims to "understand the NRIs/PIO (persons of Indian origin) sentiments about India, create a policy framework for a sustained and productive interaction, and acquaint the Indian people with the achievements of the Indian diaspora and their expectations from India". It also aims to create a network of the Indian diaspora across 110 countries globally, and the "recognise the contribution" made by expats towards "improving India's relationship with the host countries". Some 2000 NRIs are expected to take part in the event, and top Nobel Laureates, politicians of Indian origin and a hhost of others are to take part. This event was announced by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, following recommendations of the L.M.Singhvi committee on the Indian diaspora (see its report at www.indiandiaspora.nic.in). 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