INTERNATIONAL GOAN ORGANIZATION, Toronto, Canada

1. INTERNATIONAL GOAN ORGANIZATION, Toronto, Canada Output from Non-Resident Goans Brainstorming Workshop held September 10, 2006 Prepared by: Cellie Gonsalves September 11, 2006

2. INTRODUCTION • The International Goan Organization (IGO) Toronto in partnership with The Forum of Overseas Goans/Indians of Goa (FOGI) invited Goans living in the Toronto area 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 No Resident Indians (NRIs) in Goa • Establish Office of the Protector of Emigrants in Goa • Approximately 50 people attended the two hour meeting held on September 10, 2006 facilitated by Cellie Gonsalves on ACCM Consulting Group. • This document is the output of the session and identifies several critical issues facing them in Goa, as articulated by the attendees.

3. I.G.O.BACKGROUND • Mission • To assist the Goan community in Goa and elsewhere to realize their potential in education and socio economic arenas and meet the challenges of the new millennium. • IGO was incorporated in September 1989 as a non-profit organization. The members of the Core Team, Toronto chapter are Mrs. Zulema de Souza (President), Mrs. Debbie Araujo, Mr. Lamberto Gomes, Mrs. Cellie Gonsalves and Mr. Al Mathias. • IGO, Toronto: Accomplishments – Highlights • Academic Conference – Toronto, March 1991 • Co-sponsored by the University of Toronto, South Asian Studies and the IGO. This conference examined the emigration experiences enhancing the sense of Goan culture, identity, its traditional and transformational aspects. • A research publication titled “Goa: Continuity and Change” which included highlights of the proceedings from the Academic Conference as well as a compilation of papers was launched • Indo-Canadian Enterprise Exchange Program – Toronto, November 1993 • Five delegates from Goa received intensive, customized, two-month training, with the objective of broadening delegates understanding of western management principles, transfer know-how and intellectual expertise and generate an appreciation of the culture and business environment in Canada. • Sponsored by the sub-committee of the IGO in Toronto, Xerox Canada and the University of Toronto at an estimated cost of $70,000. Participation of community groups – Goan Charitable Organization, Goan Overseas Associations in Toronto, Hamilton and Montreal, and the Canorient Christian Association, Toronto. Health Services Project – Goa 1999, 2000 • Medical equipment and supplies valued at approximately $100,000 were delivered at “no charge” to hospitals and health care facilities in Goa, India that operate on a charitable basis. The pre-requisite to the supply of equipment was that significant benefit accrues to “poor and needy” children, seniors, infectious diseases and terminally ill patients. • Visits were conducted to potential facilities combined with research and an assessment of their ability to meet the criteria. Based on this review and analysis, the following seven health care centers that operate exclusively on a charitable basis, were selected as recipients: St. Francis Xavier’s Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children, Old Goa; Christ the King Physiotherapy Artificial Limb Centre, Santa Inez Panjim; Nirmala Mary Hospital & Dispensary, Cavelossim; Shanti Avedna Ashram, palliative care and cancer treatment centre, Loutolim; Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa), Maternity and Old Age Home, Panjim; Lokvishwas Pratishthan’s School for Handicapped Kids, Ponda; Porvorim Lions Charitable General Hospital, Siolim.

4. OBJECTIVES Overall To look after the interests and welfare in Goa of Non-Resident Goans from Canada, and to strengthen their emotional and ethnic bonds with Goa, India. • Specific Objectives • To pursue the interests of NRGs with the State Government in Goa and Central Government in India • To assist NRGs in protecting their rights in Goa especially in property related matters. • To provide facilities to NRGs on their visit to Goa. • To help in investment by NRGs in Goa. • To maintain cultural and ethnic bonds of NRGs, especially the new generation with Goa.

5. Issue: Professional Consulting Issue: Financial Investment Issue: Information Center Issue: Property Management Issue: Project Investment Issue: Education Issue: Repatriation Issue: Citizenship Issue: Social /Volunteer Issue: Database Review Issues with NRGs elsewhere in Canada Action Plans Implementation Submit and Review with Hon. Eduardo Faleiro OVERALL PROCESS Statement of the Challenge The following schematic illustrates the process that was and will be employed. Critical Issues Generation Review Issues with Attendees

6. ISSUE: PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES Description: • Create an Agency for guidance on property issues and legal matters • Provide referrals to honest, knowledgeable and efficient professionals – lawyers, accountants, real estate agents etc • Check accreditation of mediators dealing with property and other related issues. • Provide legal assistance in the preparation of Wills for property in Goa without requiring to be in Goa • Determine if wills made in Canada are legal in Goa • Provide information on property rights in Goa • Provide information on rights of non-Indian citizens related to ancestral homes in Goa • Purchased a condominium in Goa which is currently in litigation with developer – need advice on how to deal with legal issues • Most of the older legal documents are in Portuguese, need assistance with the application of the prevailing law and its impact on property matters • NRGs visiting Goa on vacation have limited time to deal with property matters – need a mechanism to fast-track to ensure resolution of matters within the shortest possible time frame. • How do we accelerate/expedite legal and local government matters to ensure completion without the need for bribery. Prepared to pay more officially for fast tracking. • Provide a resource that is up-to-date on local laws • Need to speed-up response time from professionals i.e. lawyers, accountants, etc. Key Performance Indicators

7. ISSUE: INFORMATION CENTER Description: • Ensure existing information centers are knowledgeable and up-to date • Provide advance information to timing of land surveys, census of homeowners, population census, etc. • Provide advance notification of proposed changes in real estate law and legislative bills • Provide computerized access of legal records i.e. marriage, birth etc. and process for access • Set up a website with information on legal issues complete with updates, legislative changes, with links to relevant websites and reputable, credible professionals who are qualified to provide responses (for a fee?) on questions regarding legal matters as well as general issues of concern like real estate development • Appoint a Canadian NRG as a resource who is located in Goa • Provide a Welcome House in Goa for NRGs similar to Goa Sadan in Delhi Key Performance Indicators

8. Description: • Create a one-stop-shop to provide care and maintenance of property – payment of property taxes, utility bills (water, gas, hydro), security, insurance, rental, cleanliness etc. • Determine if property taxes and utility bills can be forwarded to addresses outside Goa to facilitate timely payment • Investigate the potential of payment of property taxes and utility bills via the internet • Eliminate the frustration caused by red tape and corruption at local government level in dealing with ownership and payment of property taxes and utility bills Key Performance Indicators ISSUE: PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

9. Description: • Provide information on various financial investment options and programs available from the banks governed by the Reserve Bank of India • Provide a list of reputable financial institutions • Create access to loan funds to be used for investment in Goa • Create a Mutual Fund with ethical investment objectives i.e. seniors homes etc. and offer special incentives Key Performance Indicators ISSUE: FINANCIAL INVESTMENT

10. Description: • Provide requirements to obtain Government approval of proposed capital projects i.e. wine production • Provide information on “business” investment projects in Goa • Provide suitable investment opportunities for the next generation • Provide information on real estate investment opportunities by reputable developers • Provide assistance to ensure real estate investments are completed in a timely manner at the level of quality promised Key Performance Indicators ISSUE: PROJECT INVESTMENT

11. Description: • Who will have access to the database being developed by the Commissioner for NRI Affairs • Provide guarantee of integrity of use of the database particularly related to privacy issues Key Performance Indicators ISSUE: DATABASE

12. Description: • Easy accreditation of existing education attained in North America when seeking to complete further education in Goa • Provide a mechanism to obtain accreditation of education in India by educational institutions in North America to assist potential immigrants to North America • Provide admittance to those wishing to be educated in Goa assuming that they have the necessary qualifications required for admission • Provide entry into educational institutions at various levels without the need to be referred by a politician for children wishing to be educated in India Key Performance Indicators ISSUE: EDUCATION

13. Description: • Provide regular updates on legislation regarding repatriation of funds brought into India from abroad and used for investment purposes • Arrange repatriation of capital gains on real estate appreciation from ancestral property or investment with local funds for NRGs who are unable to use the money in India Key Performance Indicators ISSUE: REPATRIATION

14. Description: • Determine if multi-citizenship is possible i.e. Canadian, Indian, Portuguese and any negative implications versus those only holding single or dual citizenship (Canadian, Indian) • Provide qualifications required for the various non-resident designations, NRIs, PIOs, OCIs etc. • Provide clear definition, information on rights and obligations of these designations • Ensure that NRGs of Goan origin born in Pakistan and holding Canadian citizenship are provided tourist visas easily to enter India • Inconsistent interpretation by Indian Consulate in Canada is resulting in visas for 5 years not being given to those of Goan origin who were not born in India • If Indian citizenship was given up when duality was not allowed in Canada, how does this impact on property rights, ability of be considered eligible for various non-resident designations, ability to retire and work in Goa? • Provide clear definition of Indian origin Key Performance Indicators ISSUE: CITIZENSHIP

15. Description: • Obtain bona-fide information of needy causes in Goa for potential financial and/or skills support • Facilitate NRG retirees in providing support i.e. skills, financial, etc. for social assistance programs • Publicity regarding Russian Mafia presence in Goa has created security concerns – why does the Government not deal with this issue • Goa is known as a pedophile centre in the world – what is being done to protect the children, how can they be protected under the law? • Foreigners are purchasing property illegally in Goa. Kashmir has restricted purchase and enacted and implemented legislation. Why cannot Goa do the same? • Need an office where one can report blatant illegalities without repercussions by local authorities i.e. illegal construction in coastal zone areas, fishing trawlers fishing within the 4 km prohibition area, noise pollution, inaction by the Police, abusive and anti-social behavior by tourists. • Means to enforce laws i.e. noise pollution law and follow-up is required. Key Performance Indicators ISSUE: SOCIAL/VOLUNTEER

16. NEXT STEPS • IGO to submit this document to workshop attendees to obtain input/clarification/modification of the issues as identified. Deadline for input is September 30, 2006 • IGO to submit this document to other Organizations with potential NRG members to obtain their input on the issues and suggestions on additions/modifications. Deadline for input October 15, 2006 • IGO to provide Goan Overseas Association with this document for publication on the GOA-Toronto website by September 15, 2006 • Meeting of NRGs in Toronto on November 12, 2006 to review/finalize issues and discuss Implementation Plan • Submission of Finalized Issues to Hon. Eduardo Faleiro by November 30, 2006 • Review and Commitment by Hon. Eduardo Faleiro by January 2006 • Develop Action Plans, implement and follow-up.