MLAs up the ante on action against excise licences to foreigners

PORVORIM: The Chief Minister, Laxmikant Parsekar, had to face ‘stormy’ MLAs on the issue of allowing foreigners to purchase agricultural lands, granting Excise licences and running businesses like night clubs in violation of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The members, including BJP MLA Michael Lobo, Leader of Opposition Pratapsingh Rane, Congress’ Digambar Kamat, Goa Vikas party’s Francisco (Mickky) Pacheco and Independent Vijai Sardesai, criticised Parsekar for allowing violations of FEMA. Parsekar told the State Legislative Assembly that government is in process of drafting new rules under the Goa Excise Act, as per which 25 years Goa domicile would be mandatory for granting liquor licences. Chief Minister even noted that the country is bound to give permission to all the foreign nationals wanting to invest in India. Not satisfied with the reply the MLAs continued the scathing attack on the Chief Minister demanding action against the foreigners who are granted excise licences in violation of the FEMA. Speaker Anant Shet had to finally end the discussion on the Question, calling for the next question on the list. During the Question Hour, Lobo led the verbal attack on Parsekar claiming that the Excise Department, has given excise licence to a foreigner in the premises which is built on agricultural properties purchased in violation of FEMA. Lobo pointed out that a German national has been allowed to purchase agricultural property at Arpora village where he owns a night club. “How can the government allow a foreign national to purchase agriculture land in Goa? And how was he granted permission to carry out liquor business?” the BJP MLA questioned. He said that there are clear directions from the district administration that no foreigner can purchase agriculture land in the State and it is in violation of FEMA. “I want the government to suspend the licence of the foreigner. If required let a House committee be constituted to study the matter,” Lobo demanded. Parsekar said that the concerned foreigner is Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card-holder. When MLAs felt that the chief minister didn’t clarify how agricultural land was allowed to be purchased by the foreigners, they reacted strongly. Trying to calm down the opposition, Parsekar said that the State government is contemplating to amend the State Excise Act making 25- year-domicile compulsory for granting a licence. The chief minister said there are three foreigners who have been given Excise Licences across the State which would be reviewed. “Let us take the opinion of the Law Department on these licences allotted to the foreigners. Once the Law Department states it is illegal, the same would be suspended,” he said. Parsekar admitted that several foreigners are running businesses in the coastal belt by getting the restaurants sublet from the locals. “There are few Goans who sublet their premises to foreigners. The original licence owner is a Goan but business is run by a foreigner, which is illegal. I appeal the Goans not to allow such illegalities,” Chief Minister said.