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Non-Resident Goans in the Gulf.
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by Ratikant Mandrekar.
No One exactly knows the number of Non-Resident Goans working abroad. Neither the State Government nor the few years old NRI facilitation centre, established and housed at the EDC Office, Panjim. During my presence at the Gomant Vishwa Sammelan, in January, 2004, I was told that it could be over two lakhs. This is a Guess! Could be little more or less!. Out of which almost around 1.5 lakhs should be working in the Middle East and the rest over half a lakh could be in Australia, Singapore, Africa, Europe, Canada and U.S.A.
Observation.
The Most common reason for any Goan to immigrate is to seek better economic prospects for oneself and for his family. Most of the Goans, who left their shores for other countries were to seek the employment and better life. Few migrated for family reunion. Either son or daughter has joined their parents or someone's nephew or niece has joined their uncle in the Gulf. Spouses have joined their partners and have sought the employment in the host countries. You will find second generation of Goans residing and working in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and U.A.E. A decade and half back, anyone with some influence and relation in the gulf could obtain the visa for the work. The qualification, skills, experience was not of much importance, as suitable job could be fetched. But of late, the scenario has changed and more stress is given on the quality and qualification of the migrants.
Lot of importance is given on the qualification structure of the immigrant labor. That is why most of the countries now have stricter criteria in their immigrant selection process in order to filter out unskilled workers. In UAE, for example, to seek an employment, the minimum qualification has to be Secondary School Education. Be it a cleaner with the maintenance company or a laundry man with the cleaning firm, it has to be Xth standard bare minimum!
NRI Remittances to Goa.
There are thousands of non-resident Goans working in the Gulf countries who are remitting their hard earned money and savings with the Banks to their home state, every month. Exception could be the non-resident Goans residing in other parts of the world, who are fortunate enough to have alternate avenues to invest their hard earned income.
I believe that these non-resident remitted funds, lying with the Banks are being channeled back into the local economy, whereby appropriate effects are being felt in generating the commerce, trade and employment in the society. The monthly remittances from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia runs into millions of rupees. Of course part of these funds are for maintenance of their families back home. At the same time substantial funds are also being diverted towards the investments in other areas too. Either, new Houses are being built or new tourist taxis are being purchased or a new flats or shops are being purchased or a land is being purchased to construct a villa. The money earned by non-resident Goans is remitted to Goa only and most of these funds lie with the banks. It is for this reason our state, Goa enjoys the distinction of having the highest per capita income in the country.
The irony is that majority of these funds lie with national banks and a fraction of the funds lie with local banks. In fact, most of these non-resident Goan remittances could have been captured by our local Goan Banks. Such a huge amount of funds and continuous cash flow from the non-resident Goans abroad, could have generated more investment avenues and employment to Goan youths. Our local established banks such as Goa State Co-perative Bank, Goa Urban Co-operative Bank, Madgao Urban Co-operative Bank to name a few should adopt a proactive approach and vigorously work to garner these non-resident remittances. Most of the non-resident Goans do not deal with the co-operative banks because of mismanagement, chicanery, poor service, unprofessional approach, no proper control and mistrust. Non-resident Goans are apprehensive about the performance of local banks which makes them not to park their savings with these banks. It
will be interesting to note the ratio of non-resident Goan remittances with national banks to local Goan banks?
Investment in Goa.
Most of the states in India, have appealed to their NRI's seeking investment in their home land. Government of Goa too wants non-resident Goans to invest their hard earned money in Goa and it is but natural. There are plenty of Goans working abroad, with entrepreneurial skills, sound finance and expertise who are looking forward to invest in Goa. Most of the non-resident Goans based in the Gulf countries are willing to start their ventures in Goa. Non-resident Goans working in the Gulf knows that they are temporary expatriates in that country and they are there only to make money. Some day or the other, they have to return to their home state. Hence, they feel that, they could start investing their hard earned money at their peak time in some secure and safe venture in Goa and as and when they return they could look after their ventures personally and lead their life safely in Goa
peacefully. It is obvious that, being in the Gulf, if someone could start his venture in Goa two or three years prior to his return for good to home state, it will be advantageous. Tourism, Agriculture, Waterways, Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare are few sectors wherein non resident Goans could come in. But, there has been no specific guidelines nor any project plans ready, that the prospective non-residents could work on.
NRI Housing.
Other states, such as Kerala, Karnataka and Gujarat, to name a few offer land for housing to NRI's. State Government must think on this issue and earmark certain area for the non-resident Goans to develop the area exclusively for NRIs. Then there are lot of non-resident Goan's houses lying vacant. They are closed and unattended. In spite of having proper legal documents of tenancy, the tenants decline to vacate the property given on lease. It is for these reasons, many flats and villas belonging to non-resident Goans are lying vacant and unused. What a loss and waste of potential rental income! State Government must formulate the specific rules and enforces the law, wherein most of these vacant flats and houses could be rented out and income could be generated. Both the parties, the Government as well as the non-resident Goans could benefit!
Reservation of Seats To Medical College.
Other States, offer sizable quota for the children of non-residents in the medical and engineering colleges. What is the quota reserved for non-residents at Goa Medical College and Engineering Colleges in Goa? I am told that there is only one seat at Goa Medical College reserved for non-residents! With such a large Goan Diaspora residing in the Middle East countries, the higher education facilities for non-resident children are negligible. Children of all the Gulf non-resident Goans have limited educational facilities. The schools offer the classes up to 12th Standard. After 12th, there are no options available for the Gulf Goan non-resident children for higher education. Either they have to return to Goa or seek admissions in other colleges and universities. Some send their children to Mumbai, Bangalore, Mangalore or Goa. Few send their children overseas, to
Australia, Canada, USA and Europe, thereby incurring heavy cost of education and spending hard earned money. There are a large number of non-resident Goans who would like to send their children to Goa for professional education in Medical as well as Engineering Colleges, if there were specific and limited seats reserved for non-resident Goan children.
Direct Flight to Goa.
Other states, have approvals for the direct flight from Gulf Countries to their respective state bound airports. There is a direct flight from Dubai -Bangalore, Dubai Hyderabad, Dubai Trivandrum. How many flights are flying from Gulf to Dabolim on a Direct route? Only one! and that too once in a week! Every non-resident Goan flies home from the Gulf country, where he is working to avail his annual vacation. Air India claims that it has a direct flight to Goa from Abu Dhabi, but with almost ten to twelve hours waiting time at the transit lounge at Mumbai Airport. There is direct flight once a week from Kuwait to Goa. Another flight from Dubai to Goa. That too it leaves early 3.A.M. reaching at 7 A.M. Dabolim-Goa. Further, the air fare charged for a 2.5 to 3 hour flight from Gulf to Dabolim sector is exorbitant. The cost of Air ticket from Gulf to Dabolim is more or less the same cost to travel
to Europe. For the same price, you could have a return trip to London that lasts for 6 hours. In the past, various non-resident bodies approached the state Government as well as Air lines for the fare reduction, but in vain.
Identify Card for NRI Goans.
I am of the opinion that the Goa State Government should start working on the subject of issuance of Identity Cards for all the non-resident Goans. Not only for those who are working in the Middle East but for all the Goans who are working abroad. The Gulf non-resident Goan has to return to Goa at the end of his/her stint with that particular country. There is no permanent residence or nationality given to expatriates in the Gulf Countries and one has to return to Goa, one time or the other. With the identity Card, State Government will have the updated record of every Goan working abroad. The Kerala Government has already decided to issue Identity Cards to their expatriates working in the Gulf. The Identity Card will help the Government to automatically maintain its database. There will be an official record for the number of Goan NRI's and it could be identified gender wise, profession
wise, age wise and so on.
Time for Paradigm Shift.
Yes! It is time for the paradigm shift for both. The Giver and the Seeker. It has been one way traffic all the time. The benevolent non-residents have been giving and the Government of Goa has been enjoying the benefits. If the Goa Government wants to follow the trend of other states to woe the non-resident Goans, it should change it's approach towards solving the issues related to non-related Goans. It is heartening to note that the State Government took the right decision to establish NRI facilitation centre. The accumulation of data of non-resident Goans residing abroad has been started. The formation of NRI advisory committee with various non-resident Goans on the board as advising members is commendable. It has been a very proactive decision of the NRI facilitaion centre and in the right direction. The non resident Goans residing in various countries could be in touch with each other and
exchange the ideas that could benefit the mother state and fellow Goans.
What NRI Goans could give back to the State of Goa?
Non-Resident Goans have been working in various fields and professions. Many have acquired the skills and knowledge in addition to wealth. When they return to Goa, they could greatly help in economic development through professional experience they have gained which they can transfer and apply accordingly. The wealth could be used to generate the employment in Goa by way of investment in secured plans and projects. And of course, those who do not return, their remittances could always aid the state's economy.
What NRI Goans Seek from Government of Goa?
There are ample number of problems faced by non-resident Goans. Government should try to attend these problems faced by non-resident Goans. First and Foremost, there must be a single window system adopted for the non-resident Goans. NRI cell with proper staffing must be operational immediately. Secondly, State Government could identify special sectors or projects for investment to non-residents wherein they could be offered preference in equity, ownership and management.
Gomant Vishwa Sammelan.
NRI facilitation centre, organised Gomant Vishwa Sammelan on 3rd to 5th January, 2004 at Kala Academy, Panaji-Goa. It is said that the basic idea behind the conference being held every year in Goa, is for the Goans spread all over the Globe, could meet and exchange the views and help their state in the fields of investment, technology and management. At the same time, the Goa Government could understand the problems and try to solve the difficulties faced by the non-resident Goans. There has been lot of efforts put by the centre to get the non-resident Goans registered with them. A form is placed on their website, that could be filled online or those who do not have the access to the internet could always get it from the Centre. All the non-resident Goans abroad should fill this form and get themselves registered. A database is being compiled by the centre. Once it is done, the centre will be in
a position to implement the correct policy and strategy towards the NRIs.. |
