the goan I network
MARGAO
In a memorandum submitted to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, he states that in Goa, cakes and pastries have a special cultural and religious significance. “It is consumed in religious festivals and social events such as Baptism, Holy Communion, Weddings, New Year, Easter & Christmas. There is even a practice in the Catholic community to serve black cake for funerals, Months
Mind and First Death Anniversary,” mentions the memorandum.
“Cakes and pastries are consumed primarily by children. These products have assumed status of mithai in this part of India. Moreover the raw materials used to make cakes and pastries are agro based which include wheat flour, eggs, butter, sugar, milk, fresh cream etc,” adds the memorandum.
It goes on to state that the bakery industry is labour intensive and it generates lot of direct and indirect employment for many unskilled and skilled labourers. In view of all these factors, All Goa Bakers Association has requested Finance Minister to include cakes and pastries in the bracket of 5% GST, says
the press release issued
by Fernandes.
