Govt against giving special status to Goa

Government today opposed a resolution to provide special status to Goa for regulating the influx of foreigners and migrants to the state and protecting the economic and cultural interests of its citizens.

The private member resolution, which was later withdrawn after the Government's reply, was moved by Shantaram Naik (Cong) from Goa.

Naik demanded special provisions to be to made in Article 371 so that Goa assembly has rights to enact laws.

"Land mafia from foreign countries are landing in states like Goa with tonnes of money buying huge areas creating social and economic chaos. Some of the parties are potential enough to buy a whole village," Naik said. "The Goa Assembly should have right to enact laws to regulate influx of people in the state," he said. In support of his resolution, the Congress MP said in some places in Goa, Russians and Israelis were involved in running commercial activities and were "grabbing land" and this was harming the interest of the local people.

Replying after the debate on the resolution, Minister of State for Home RPN Singh said the Constitution of the country provides a right to every citizen of the country to move from one place to another. "The government opposes the resolution in its present form," he said.

On Naik's charge that Russians and other foreigners were involved in illegal commercial activity, he said under the prevalent visa regimes of the country, they cannot do commercial activities without permission of RBI.

"If they are doing so, they should be dealt with strongly and the state government is empowered to do so," Singh said.