Many Indians have bought a piece of Goa because they want a second home. These are really holiday homes, opened, aired and occupied for one week/one month in a year. We saw one such residential building in Varca which has only Rajashtan registered cars in the basement parking. Ditto all over Goa. Why, even Sanchin Tendulkar has a huge bungalow in Uttorda, south Goa. So much destruction to the environment for such ephemeral pleasure!
Although 450 properties owned by foreigners are being looked at closely, there is some sympathy that at least some foreigners were scammed by smooth-talking agents and shady lawyers. Parrikar has gone on record to say that his government would approach the authorities for 'concessions' if the cases were genuine. For instance, cases of senior citizens who had put all their savings into buying homes. "We can take up the cases of small houses or flats," Parrikar explained.
But in cases where investments were made for commercial purposes, no quarter would be given.
We Say.
Ever since Goa became seen as a go-to destination, it has become a fertile ground for illegalities. While British pensioners are viewed sympathetically it is said that they relocate here to become a part of Goan life unlike the 'Delhiwalla' who tries to change the culture and environment to suit his/her lifestyle. In fact, most of the illegally built homes and hotels in Goa have been built by non-Goans especially north Indians.
Many Indians have bought a piece of Goa because they want a second home. Which is fine, except that most of these second homes are really holiday homes, opened, aired and occupied for one week/one month in a year. We saw one such residential building in Varca which has only Rajashtan registered cars in the basement parking. The apartments in a huge building in Dona Paula are almost all owned by Non Resident Indians from Gujarat as the board on the ground floor with names of the residents indicates. Why, even Sanchin Tendulkar has a huge bungalow in Uttorda, south Goa. So much destruction to the environment for such ephemeral pleasure! Why not just stay in a hotel on the beach and really kick back and relax?
Is that a win-win situation? That can be debatable because the widespread opinion is that hotels in Goa are needlessly expensive. There's no value for money in this trendy destination. Maybe that's why companies are buying/leasing guest houses. Indian Oil Corporation is the latest to join this list and is looking for a beach-facing villa it wants to lease for five years.
