the goan I network
MARGAO
Facing flak from several quarters, including criticism from the All Goa Bakers Association, the Goa Bakers and Confectioners on Friday has rolled back its decision to hike the price of pao to Rs five per loaf with effect from October 10.
Association president Peter Fernandes said the decision has been taken since Leader of the Opposition Digambar Kamat has offered his full support to the bakers to give a representation to the Chief Minister to solve the problem. “The Association has decided not to increase the price of pao from Rs 4 to Rs 5. We will always work hand-in-hand with the government. We have faith in the government that it will help the bakers at large”, Peter said.
Welcoming Digambar Kamat’s suggestion that the government should adopt Dr Nandkumar Kamat’s Report of 2011, Peter said the Association will be delighted to welcome government’s any move to help the Goan bakers.
Regarding subsidy on maida and supply through Sahakar Bhandars, he said the government should consider a host of facilities, including giving free door delivery; credit of one bill; Immediate replacement of bad quality Maida etc.
Regarding heritage pao, he said Kamat should be complimented for highlighting the issue, saying this heritage/traditional pao and poie is possible only by the Goan bakers. “To make the traditional bread, the government should invite the Goans who have closed or rented their bakeries and migrated abroad for their prospects, by providing them financial support, interest free loans, subsidy and better amenities and salaries than what is paid abroad”, he added.
Peter appealed to the government to allot industrial plots on priority to the bakers/ bakers children who are interested to set up modern
but traditional bakeries. He also called for introduction of simplified and single window licensing/financing systems and create support & subsidize toddy tapers to produce toddy; permit motor bikes/small vehicles, tricycles to sell bakery products and provide subsidy to buy the same.
“Permit the bakers to renovate old bakeries without permission from owners, local bodies & other departments. Also issue licenses from FDA, GSPCB and increase the electrical load. Since many age old bakers are denied NOCs by owners of premises”, he said.
Saying bakers are facing the biggest problem of availability of firewood, Peter said the government may give ovens free of cost to minimize pollution.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai had demanded the government’s intervention in the issue of bakers if Pramod Sawant stands for Manohar Parrikar’s legacy. “Failure to do so would mean deParrikarisation is fully on as predicted by us and that common man and their food is least of the concerns for the present government”, he told the media
Saying that pao is the food of the common Goemkar, Sardesai recalled that Manohar Parrikar as CM had resisted the increase in cost of pao by accepting that this was one of the traditional occupations with Goemkars and promised to have a scheme to mitigate the problem.
