Pakistan International Airlines acquires property in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Pakistani carrier PIA purchased immovable property in the national capital without obtaining prior approval from the Reserve Bank, Parliament was informed today.

Replying to a question on foreign companies acquired flats/offices in India without prior approval, Minister of State for Finance, Jayant Sinha said one case has come to the notice of the Enforcement Directorate ( ED).

"... a foreign company has acquired immovable property in the country without obtaining mandatory clearance from the RBI.

"The case relates to acquisition of six flats and a car parking space in New Delhi by Pakistan International Airlines," Sinha said in written reply in Rajya Sabha.

Replying to another question on the government's action to vacate such premises, the Minister said ED issues Show Cause Notice (SCN) under Foreign Exchange Management Act in case any contraventions are noticed during investigations.

"The SCN is adjudicated by the Competent Adjudicating Authority. In case the contraventions are substantiated during adjudication, the Adjudicating Authority may, in addition to imposition of monetary penalty, also direct confiscation of the property involved in contravention," he said.

In January this year, ED had issued summons to PIA in connection with alleged violation of forex laws in purchase of local properties in New Delhi.

FEMA laws stipulate that no person being a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iran, China, Nepal and Bhutan without prior permission of the RBI can acquire or transfer immovable property in India other than lease, not exceeding five years.

After the summons issued to PIA by ED, the Pakistani airline stated that there were no disruptions to its flight operations from New Delhi.