Thursday 28 Mar 2024

'Mhozo Ganv, Mhojem Goy’ scheme? NRI – Not Really Interested!

FRANKEY FERNANDES | NOVEMBER 29, 2015, 12:00 AM IST

The Goa government's ambitious ‘Mhozo Ganv, Mhojem Goy’ scheme hopes to attract investment from people of Goan origin settled all over the world. But is the scheme, or its promoters for that matter, likely to attract the investors? Instead, would people of Goan origin prefer to contribute to non-government projects in the state?

Three questions were sent to people of Goan origin residing in different parts of the world.

1. Would you be interested in availing of the ‘Mhozo Ganv, Mhojem Goy’ scheme? If so, why? If not, why?

2. Would you trust the Goa government with such a scheme? If so, why? If not, why?

3. Would you, instead, prefer investing/donating money towards other non-government projects in Goa (Eg: Parishes, old-aged institutions, orphanages, destitute homes, other homes/institutions with special needs, etc.)

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Silviano Barbosa

Toronto-Canada

[Hailing from Cuncolim]

1. No, I won't be interested personally with the NRI Scheme. No confidence in Goa Government.

2. No. There are no precedents from the Goa Government involving investments in Goa. And so it's difficult to trust them.

3. Yes. I'd rather help/donate to NGO projects in Goa.

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Darrell DeMello

Minnesota-USA

[Hailing from Birondi, Benaulim]

1. Would like more details of such a scheme. Usually will not trust anything offered by Government of Goa. Will not participate in any scheme offered by the government.

2. Extremely corrupt + Non Transparent + Changes can happen and lose all the investment. I'd rather trust builders in Mumbai, they will deliver what they promised even if takes a year or 2 extra. In Goa, tomorrow never comes, with no responsibility and a huge lack of accountability.

3. No. My family has done much over the decades. Personally, my wife and I donate to an orphanage in Mumbai and to the Salesians in Matunga. I would not mind being a part of a group of well wishers that can use my medical and management skills to set up and run a home for the seniors or a charitable hospital for the needy.

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Baptist Lobo

Auckland-New Zealand

[Hailing from Goa-Mangalore]

1. I would be interested in a project like this as it gives an opportunity for NRIs like me to give back to the community what I have received while in India/Goa. The name on the project and the tax benefits according to me are a bonus. I do not know how well it will be managed given the past experience of Indian/Goan governments. The process as laid out in The Goan article sounds robust. It will be only known after the scheme comes into existence.

2. As stated earlier, I do not know how well it will be managed given the past experience. We cannot discount the success of this project based on the past experiences. I think as NRIs we should give the government a chance.

3. These are the various other avenues where in we can contribute to the success of Goa besides the above. I think this should carry on concurrently.

Before making the decision to donate/invest, I would like to have more information especially with reference to the governance of the project.

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Tome Jose Elvino de Sousa

Sydney-Australia

[Hailing from Aldona]

1. I donate money in my village and many other causes in Goa on a regular basis, and I do that because I want to do. About the scheme it has to be looked into more carefully, could be money laundering or drug money for that matter and just a front.

2. I would not trust the Goa Government on this scheme, I feel a lot of money will be going into individual pockets.

3. I prefer this and I do for churches, cemetries, home for the aged, underprivileged children, building houses damaged by rain or due to poor maintenance due to lack of funds, etc.

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Tony Colaco

Sydney-Australia

[Hailing from Borda-Margao]

1. No. I would not be interested in such a scheme. Donation for a cause has a direct relationship with trust in the recipient – in this case the Government of Goa. Not all NRIs have a taxable income in Goa. Tax incentives is not a motivating factor.

2. I am not sure if I could find anyone I know here in Australia who would trust the Government of Goa with such a scheme. Sad to say, but the Government of the day lacks the credibility. I am in a number of Goan forums and this what all are saying. Even some people whom I do not know have sent me messages via Facebook to say Goa is gone to the dogs. I think they are sincere and passionate about Goa.

3. My preferred option is to partner with the recipients of the donation directly - parishes, old-aged institutions, orphanages, destitute homes, other homes/institutions with special needs. The other preferred option is work with Rotary and Lion Clubs in Goa to channel funds to special and deserving purposes. There will be accountability and results for all to see. I am part of the Rotary in Sydney and that is how our international projects are structured successfully.

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Armenia Fernandes

United Arab Emirates

[Hailing from Socorro]

1. Though this seems like a good way of involving Goa's sizeable NRI population in the state's development, I would not be interested in being part of any such scheme.

If I want to donate, I'll do it directly by going to an institution I trust and whose work I am acquainted with and where I know the funds will be used for a good purpose.

I pay all my taxes regularly to the Goa government and the government can spend this revenue for any projects they plan.

2. I would find it difficult to trust politicians and bureaucrats with my hard earned money, especially given the unhelpful way in which bureaucrats/government staff treat NRIs when one approaches government offices for any official work.

If one does not shell out a bribe or know influential people, files don't move and one has to make repeated visits which is a waste of time when one is on a short holiday/vacation.

Staff do not advise properly and I have personally encountered employees who are rude, who treat NRIs as if they are illiterate morons, who talk down at you, who treat you with suspicion and ask impertinent, personal questions about your job and earnings, especially if you work/reside in the Arab Gulf/Muslim countries, but who want your money all the same.

This is irrespective of which party forms the government, Congress or BJP. With these kind of government attitudes and functioning, why should anybody want to contribute? How can one be sure that the donated funds will be used appropriately?

3. I have donated to charities in the past and I have seen that the money given has been used to help the poor. Most established charities issue a receipt, so financial accountability is not a problem and any questions the government authorities may have, can be answered. If I want to contribute to a school or educational institution, I would prefer to hand over the money directly to the management concerned.

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Salus Correia

Melbourne-Australia

[Hailing from Santa Cruz]

1. No. It makes no sense to invest just to have one’s name etched on the building, with no inputs. Secondly, we do not have any income generated in India so the question of Income Tax benefits do not arise at all.

2. Absolutely not. The government has not given us any confidence that it is beyond the realms of corruption which is rampant in Goa and India

3. Yes, currently being done already.

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Joshua Diniz

Seattle-USA

[Hailing from Vasco]

1. No, I would not since our hard earned money would be wasted by the politicians and senior officials.

2. Don't think the funds would be utilized for the betterment of Goa, rather politicians and senior officials would fill their own pockets.

3. Yes, I am contributing to the non-government project and will continue to do so in future as well.

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