Thaindian News

Panaji, Aug 7 (IANS) The Goa legislative assembly was rocked Friday after a coastal legislator alleged that more than 100 foreigners were illegally doing business along the North beach belt, specifically along the scenic beaches in the Mandrem constituency.
Former state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president and Mandrem legislator Laxmikant Parsekar alleged that the foreigners were involved in businesses ranging from running restaurants, cottages, prostitution and drugs.

“The foreigners from countries like Russia, Italy etc are here on a tourist visa and are clearly indulging in businesses, both legal and illegal,” Parsekar said.

“I really cannot understand why the home minister is turning a blind eye to these illegalities,” he said.

Parsekar also expressed shock at the fact that according to official records only three foreigners on a business visa were conducting legitimate businesses in the coastal Mandrem.

Replying to Parsekar’s allegations, Home Minister Ravi Naik assured the House that he would probe the charges levelled by the legislator.

“I will look into the matter raised by the member,” Naik said.

The coastal strip of Goa has for long been considered the tourism hub of Goa with more than 400,000 foreigners descending on the numerous beaches along the 105 km coastline. While most foreigners arrive in Goa on a short-term six-month tourist visa, a small section of them are known to carry out a range of businesses related to the tourism industry in contravention of norms.