By Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Jun 12: Even as illegal purchase of lands violating Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) is haunting Goa government, a senior lawyer has said that the state can restrict the sale of land to foreigners in toto under Foreigners Rule, 1946.
“Goa has several defence establishments in its jurisdiction. The state can protect its land being sold to foreigners by notifying the state under foreigners Rule, 1946,” P V S Sardessai, former state registrar, Goa cum head of notary services, told an ad hoc committee today.
The state legislative assembly constituted committee which met under chairmanship of legislator Fransic de Souza deliberated the issues related to law and FEMA violations in specific.
Sardessai, a former bureaucrat, placing his suggestions in the meeting, said that the presence of Sea bird naval base neighbouring Goa, the Naval base at Vasco and other defence establishments are reasons enough to insist with the centre to notify Foreigners rule in Goa.
“The central government has powers to notify Goa as a protected place so that no foreigner can buy land in the state,” he said.
Goa government last year woke up to the grim reality of its land masses being increasingly purchased by foreign nationals violating FEMA. Anupam Kishore committee constituted by the state government to probe such cases had prima facie found 480 violations.
They are now being investigated by directorate of enforcement which has started issuing and hearing the cases.