Totally agree Wheatsheaf. This forum is probably a good place to start the process.
It is time we got everything together, and time for those who have stayed in the background to join up with those of us who are being proactive.

Dread - Did you say party?
x

I also agree with this and I know Wheatsheaf has been giving this a lot of thought about how we start a club in Goa,
I also hope after the meeting that we get more people to sign on the Poll and send Lewis their stories by PM.Only in numbers can we make a difference and be heard,look at the effect the meeting had when over 200 people turned up.
Suggestions on how we get this club set up and running.I could do with a good party
GC ready to dance the Goan Macarina what about you Dread,Noni

Thought Andy's excellent notes of the meeting should also be on here, so have copied and pasted them - thanks H.

As noni said, there is very little of substance to report. The following is straight from my notes so will be a bit incoherant, if I have made any important factual errors I hope that they will be corrected by Vicki Treadell or her replacement as British Deputy High Commissioner, Peter Beckingham :

Meeting on 22nd at Kenilworth Beach Resort

It was estimated that there were twice as many present as at the previous meeting - estimates varied from 210 to 250.
Vicki Treadell was unable to introduce her successor as he was not in post yet, but introduced Simon Farre?? the Consular representative.
VT said that these meetings were normally restricted to British Nationals but a group present were represented by an Indian lady (it was not explained why/how she was representing them) and did anyone object. There was an objection that an Indian lady, who may be the same or not, had had a Brit beaten up over a business matter. The Indian lady present was asked to leave and did so. [In some ways this was the most interesting event of the evening <g>].
Referring to the new visa problems VT explained that they had come about because of the GOI's work against terrorism in the wake of the David Headley affair and all foreign nationals were sufering as a consequence. It was in no way targetted specifically at Goa or British Tourists and had in fact also impacted on e.g. people coming out from the UK to work for Tata Motors who had trouble getting B/E visas.

Events since previous meeting:
VT had two meetings with the Chief Minister and one with the current Chief Secretary and Anupam Kishore who was nominated by CM as single point of contact also follow up meetings in New Delhi including BHC meetings at the top level of the Indian Civil Service / Ministry. There have also been meetings with diplomats from the USA and EU with a view to co-ordinating representations to GOI.
There was some audience disquiet at the mention of Anupam Kishore (who was in charge of drawing up the DofE list)) but VT did not follow it up, she announced that a draft pro-forma had been drawn up on which we could all record our history and situation - this has been submitted to Anupam Kishore for his comments/ additions.
GOI response:
Rules have not changed; 'X' visas were never intended for FN's and if they were issued in the past it was a mistake;*** You won't be excluded if you return within two months on a pre-existing visa comments: BUT no-one is very sure how it is working on the ground and there have even been problems for non-British spouses/ relatives of BHC staff who are not on diplomatic pasports; audience contributions: people on return flights refused boarding in Thailand (Jet?) even though they had been to the FRO before departure; the main problem is not knowing if you can return; VT suggested that you can ask immigration before you leave (but it's too late by then a.f.d) ; MHA say people with a residence/ business are not entitled to a T visa and HCI say they can't have an X so what kind of visa can they have and did VT have an answer as this question had been emailled to her well in advance - VT said she had no answer from GOI why not? - GOI han not be rushed / pressured even Lord Mandelson had raised issues with Chidambaran but had only got the standard replies. VT agreed the problem was serious and reported that [at least] one person with property in India had been turned back after landing on a T visa.

On a more positive note VT reported that BHC are working on a proposal to put to the Goa/ Indian government suggesting some form of amnesty arrangement whereby all future property sales would be banned but existing owners would have the option of 'regularising' their position or be given a window when they are allowed to sell even if there are minor technical 'questions' about their purchase.

Audience Participation:
One person reported that he and his wife were arrested at Dabolim for taking sterling pounds out of the country even though it was within permitted limits (I believe he was subsequently acquitted) - this raised the important question as to how people who have brought all their assets into India were supposed to live during the two months they were excluded. VT agreed that repatriation of assets would have to be covered in any amnesty-style agreement.
Another pointed out that at the previous meeting VT had promised to come back with answers, but she had returned today without any. VT re-iterated that BHC are keeping at it!

Simon was asked to say a few closing words - he said how pleased he was that he came and admitted that he had been given to understand that only a few people in Goa had property problems and had been amazed to see over 200 at the meeting and to be told that we were representing hundreds more!

Drinks and nuts were generously served in the garden.

*** I told VT privately that personally I simply refuse to believe that the HCI / Consulate issued all those X visas 'in error' - AndyD 8-)#

Thank you Andy
Great feedback like Dreads
GC living in hope a brighter future in Goa for us all

I agree there could be many benefits to a "British Goa Association" such as being able to separate heresay & rumour from actual cold hard facts. Members could also share 'best practice' in respect of 'advocates' (they can't all be bad) & where applicable banks, accountants & again they can't all be bad: tradesmen, as well as reputable retailers etc. This of course in addition to presenting a united front on the property situation.

There could even be a benefit of having "Northern" & "Southern" branches under one overall umbrella.

H.

If we are going to form this british Goa Association we need to do it pretty quick as many people will be leaving again in a few weeks leaving only a few permanent residents here.
Do we need permission from "someone" to do this to keep within the "law"?

almost certainly - and when we've cleared it with seven or eight different departments we'll get a Show Cause letter from the Pollution Directorate or the Seaworthiness Commission <g NOT>

AndyD 8-)#

Well thats the end of that idea, any more suggestions anyone????? practical ones!!!!!

Wheatsheaf has some thoughts on this.I still think IMHO that this is worth a go.I think it could build bridges with the Goan community and a place for the Brits to meet up
Weatsheaf I think you should share your thoughts again on this subject
GC

I think you will find that one can form an association anywhere in the world and name that association by whatever name you wish. My suggestion is that we go ahead and get the backing for the said association from the BHC - therefore we should all be safe as I can't see the Indian govt .
If noone else is willing to start this, I would be happy to do so if a few others will join me to help with it.
Any volunteers ?- we need action not words.

Dread - gettin' proactive innit
x

ps How about naming it British in Goa Assoc. (BIGA......and better !)
xx

I'm up for it what can I do to get this moving,Name sounds good to me.
Should it be central so we take in north and south.I'm not in Goa at the moment but anything I can do from the UK just lets me know
GC -also willing to be proactive

Many thanks Andy and Dread for the reports on the meeting. What I dont understand is Simon saying he had been lead to believe that there was only a handful of people affected by the property fiasco. Where would he have gotten that info? I was of the impression that VT was aware of the situation in Goa.

mebbe it's Consular v. Ambassadorial - used to be they only got together at Christmas when they all went out for a drink - in different pubs <g>

AndyD 8-)#

Other name suggestions!

British in Goa Society (BIGS - it up!)
British Expats Goa Society (BEGS - for mercy - please!!)

For women there is the BELS - British Expat Ladies Society!

I'll join! When & where is the first meeting?!

Jx

B A G: British Association Goa