PANDYA CALLS FOR SPECIAL REGISTRTION CERTIFICATE FOR PROPERTY SALE TO PREVENT NRIS BECOMING VICTIMS OF FRAUS!

Buddhdev Pandya MBE, Chief Editor of Asian Lite - a UK based tabloid paper , spoke during the Convention 2008 at Shashtri Bhavan-Delhi organsied by Global Organisation of people of India Origin (GOPIO) to adopt a resolution demanding the Government of India to introduce a special certificate that would confirm the ownership of property and land that any NRI can rely upon as purchasers.

The GOPIO convention held on 7th and 8th January 2008 at Delhi before the Bhartiya Pravasi Divas was attended by delegates representing NRI’s from all over the world.

A panel consisting of Supreme and High Court judges and international lawyers discussed many issues concerning the NRI’s.

Hon Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Mr Vayalar Ravi at the GPIO convention.It highlighted that many NRI’s are preyed upon by unscrupulous lawyers and estate agents who persuade them to buy land and properties riddled with multi ownership claims or disputes. They know that the majority of the NRIs have only have two to three week holidays. Once the money is paid, the buyer is exploited by lawyers and agents eventually costing far in excess of the price of the property.

Speaking at the Convention, Mr Pandya, who represented British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin - a national body of doctors in the United Kingdom – as its Hon Corporate Advisor said, “In India any one can become an estate agent over night. Lawyers often lacking appropriate skills in property law operate without any effective checks, which leaves people who are unfamiliar with India totally vulnerable.”

“The only safeguard”, he added, “would be to introduce a special scheme of certification where any seller would be obliged to provide evidence of claim free ownership to the authorities and obtain a certificate for the benefit of NRI market.

He also added: “ I accept; this proposals may create another hurdle in the form of local bureaucratic corruption. We, however, now have a special Minister for overseas Indians and such a scheme if implemented could provide valuable aid to NRIs.”

GOPIO has adopted the resolution to be put before the Indian Government.

Mr Pandya also highlighted that amongst the older generation; many wills are un-attested, leaving many families struggling for satisfactory conclusion to disposal of family assets. This can be prevented by allowing wills to be registered with the office of any the Indian High Commission at a reasonable fee.

Concerns were raised at the convention about the misuse of ‘general power of attorney’ given to relatives and agents to deal with the property owned or acquired by NRI’s. It is best to stipulate specific actions and place time limits in the ‘power of attorney’ to safeguard all interests.

NRI’s are often unaware that legal battles in India are both expensive and time consuming and riddled with practical exploitations. NRI’s were advised to try and settle family disputes amicably rather than resorting to legal resolutions.

Baroness Usha Prashar, Lord Bhikhu Parekh and Lord Rana were amongst the delegates who attended the high profiled event.

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Email: buddhdevp@googlemail.com