Govt in a fix over foreigners setting up shop
BY SURAJ NANDREKAR
PANJIM, MARCH 30
Although business activities run by foreigners on tourist visas is thriving in coastal areas of the state, the government authorities say they can do very little about it.
Ever since the death of a taxi driver– Rohidas Shetgaonkar– who died after being assaulted by a Russian tourist, there has been a debate whether foreigners should be allowed to run business.
There has been criticism from various quarters of the government’s inability to stop the business activity by foreigners in the coastal belt of the State.
According to information received from the Goa Police Foreigners Branch there are 3,961 foreigners staying in the state on a long term visa, ranging from five to 20 years.
Out of this 117 have acquired Indian citizenship, 17 have been born here, 1392 are on entry visa, 14 on medical visa, 598 persons of Indian origin, 597 students, 542 tourists, 26 visitors while 343 are on business visa and 275 are on employment visa.
Majority of the long-term visa holders are Britishers. Out of the 3,961 foreign nationals registered in the foreigner’s registration office on long term visa, 1007 are Britishers. Seventy-six Britishers are on business visa and 59 are on employment visa.
There are 506 Portuguese nationals also on long term visa but only five of them hold employment and business visa.
Surprisingly, only 210 Russian nationals are on long-term visas but more then 50 per cent (115 persons) are on business and employment visa.
United States (263), Yemen (252), German (233), Afghanistan (143) and Philippines (121) are the other countries whose natives are on long term visas in the state.
Superintendent of Police (foreigners branch) Tony Fernandes says that although according to official numbers only over 500 foreigners are on business and employment visa, in reality it is much more.
“What can we do if the locals sub let their business to the foreigners? There is very little we can do,” Fernandes told Herald.
He said it is for the licencing authorities to act against the locals and the foreigners. “What are the tourism, excise and panchayat departments doing? They should check the shacks and restaurants and other establishments as they issue licences and penalize the erring persons,” he said. “Why should the police look into it? What will the police do? Are we supposed to look into law and order or these things? he asked. “I do not say police is not responsible for foreigners running business. But it is for the other authorities,” he said adding “I have sent letters to all the authorities and I don’t see any action.”
Excise Commissioner Sandip Jacques told Herald he was aware of the problem and stated he has also initiated action against seven to eight establishments who have sub let their premises to foreigners. “I have issued show cause notices to seven or eight locals who have sub let their premises to foreigners asking them why action should not be initiated against them,” he said.
However, Jacques maintained that if the foreigners are on business visa and following all regulations there is very little his department can do.
Director of Tourism Swapnil Naik said that unless there is substantial proof that the locals are sub letting the shacks they cannot do much.
“At the time of issuing shacks we ask the persons to issue residence certificate but after allotment if they hand over to foreigners then we can confiscate their licence,” he said adding “However, how can we prove a local has sub let the premises?”
