You're Invited... to A THINK-TANK MEETING
To look after the interests and welfare in Goa of Non-Resident Goans

Date: Sunday- September 10, 2006
Time: 1:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Venue: Eatonville Library Meeting Room, 430 Burnhamthorpe Rd, Etobicoke.
(Burnhamthorpe/East Mall)

The International Goan Organization (IGO) Toronto, in partnership with The Forum of Overseas Goans/Indians of Goa (FOGI), invites you to a meeting to identify and discuss critical issues and problems in Goa, faced by non-resident Goans (NRGs).

The output from this meeting will be provided to Mr. Eduardo Faleiro, Commissioner for NRI Affairs in Goa, who was appointed in March 2006 with Cabinet Minister's rank by Goa Government with the following mandate:
* Provide single window clearance to expedite investment projects for NRI's in Goa
* Establish Office of the Protector of Emigrants in Goa

This meeting will offer us in Toronto an opportunity to seriously engage ourselves in various critical issues/projects. We invite you to participate in this brainstorming meeting with your ideas and suggestions.

To facilitate seating, a Sign-up Sheet is available at the Goan Charitable Organization booth at VIVA Goa 2006, courtesy of the GCO. Alternatively,
Please confirm your attendance by sending an e-mail with your Name, Email address and telephone number to any one of the following:

Lamberto Gomes: lgomesgoa@sympatico.ca (Tel: 416-588-3175)
Zulema DeSouza zdesouza@pathcom.com
Al Mathias: almathias@rogers.com

Meet The Archbishop of Bangalore

Most Rev. Dr. Bernard Moras, Archibishop of Bangalore visits Toronto.
Konkani Mass – 20th August – Sts. Martha and Mary Church, Mississauga.











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Notices to foreigners in Goa purchasing property
Message sent by:
Antonio Mascarenhas

Panaji: The Goa government today issued public notices to foreigners purchasing properties in the state, cautioning them against the violations of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999.

"The government has come to know that foreigners are buying properties in violation of FEMA. Foreign nationals are not supposed to buy farm land or agriculture properties in the state but recently it is noticed that in Goa, 480 such properties were purchased by them", State Finance Secretary Ramesh Negi told PTI.

Several activists in the state had been protesting against the increasing sale of land to foreigners, mostly British, Israelis and Russians. The state government had assured in the recently concluded state legislative assembly session to bring in certain administrative amendments to curb FEMA violations.

State Revenue Department has issued public notices through newspapers stating that foreigners violating FEMA has caused great consternation in the minds of public and has unnaturally affected the real estate market in the state.

"We are investigating all the 480 cases but we intend to caution foreigners buying properties and those selling properties to them against the violations", Negi stated.

He said that the since the state government has issued circular to concerned departments to refer the matter related to the purchase of properties by foreigners to the home department for clearence.

Meanwhile, the issue had also figured in Rajya Sabha recently with the Member of Parliament, Shantaram Naik, through special mention demanding that RBI issue stringent regulations in this regard.

Also Note:
Mr. Eduardo Faleiro was appointed by the Goa Government as the Commissioner of Non-Resident Indians Facilitation Centre. NRI Facilitation Centre is an automous organizationcreated by Goa Government.