The rising cost of pao may invoke a bit of frustration from many sections of society in Goa, but this was and is inevitable. Keeping a bakery running today isn’t as easy as it was in the past. Moreover, many Goans have moved away from the pao, poie and other traditional Goan breads in favour of sliced bread and some healthier forms of bread.
From July 1, pao will be available in two denominations, Rs 3 for 30 grams and Rs 5 for 50 grams. Blame this on the rising cost of flour, the increasing wages for poders and other helpers, and competition from other manufacturers of bread. Firewood is not that inexpensive anymore either.
This is where the government needs to step in. It has to provide a subsidy on certain items, especially firewood, make licensing and other procedures easier and possibly let traditional bakers lease space for cheaper than modern industries. There has to be a move to save the pao and the poder. This is the government’s job. The poder on the other hand needs to ensure that there is some standardization of product, but that will come when the government gets its act together.
