PANAJI
The State government has reconstituted the Goa Toddy Tapper’s Welfare Fund Board and has named Cuncolim MLA Clafasio Dias as its chairman.
Four non-official members on the Board include Antonio Francisco Remy Borges of Agonda who is the President of the All Goa Toddy Tappers Association, its vice-president Caridade Fernandes from Arambol, Shashikant Shiva Pednekar from Danda, Siolim and Micheal Cardozo from Mobor, Cavelossim.
The Under Secretary, Finance (Revenue & Control), Director of Social Welfare, Professor and HOD of Goa Medical College’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Director of Institute of Public Assistance, Director of Agriculture and the Commissioner of Excise are the six official members on the Board.
Toddy tapping, once a thriving occupation in Goa’s palm-fringed countryside, has seen consistent decline over decades.
The Welfare Board first set up by a law in 1985, aims to be the one-stop mechanism for resolution of all issues faced by people still practicing the traditional occupation for their livelihoods.
