Home land gets closer for overseas
Source: The Economic Times PIOs May Get To Buy Property In India Without RBI Approval Visa THERE'S good news for the people of Indian origin (PIO). The government is planning to allow them to buy property in India without mandatory RBI approval and without the hassles of producing a valid visa. The current Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) guidelines are also being amended to remove a 'gender bias' where non-residents whose mothers or grandmothers were citizens of India will also be allowed to buy real estate in the country. The existing rules permit only those PIOs to buy property in India whose father or grandfather were Indian citizens. The proposal mooted by the ministry of overseas Indian affairs seeks to make buying of real estate by over-seas Indians hassle-free and comes as a breather for real estate firms who can now expect more buyers from abroad at a time when domestic demand is low. Current laws restrict investments by PIOs in real estate, causing delays ex