MARGAO
As bakers jostle to sell the humble pao at Rs 5 per piece since the hike came into force on October 1, consumers have been left to wonder whether there’s any chance that the bakers will maintain the quality and quantity of the common man’s early morning bread.
While consumers are happy that pao is still available at the old rate of Rs 4, owing to the rift amongst the bakers, many however, question if there’s any authority which could check the quality and quantity of pao.
“We are looking forward for a pao, which is of quality and it also should adhere to the size and weight. Consumers will not mind paying Rs 5 for a piece, but is there any association willing to give a guarantee that the pao sold by them strictly adheres to the quality and quantity. “Is the pao sold in the market conforming to the 50 gram weight”, wondered a pao consumer.
He added: “Consumers are least interested in the ongoing war amongst the bakers over the pricing of pao. We are more concerned about the quality and quantity. The weight of the pao has been shrinking with every passing day. Can any association of bakers give a guarantee to the consumer that the pao priced at Rs 5 will strictly adhere to the quality and quantity”.
When these questions were posed to Peter Fernandes, President of the All Goa Bakers and Confectioners Association, which is strongly rooting for the hike in the price of pao, he said no uniform control can be exercised in the wake of entry of outsiders in the traditional Goan business. He further said that there’s no notified authority to check the quantity of the Pao.
Peter said only the people and consumers can force the bakers to ensure that their product conforms to the 50 gram weight. “In the absence of any authority, the people should question the vendor if they do not get a quality pao or if the size is below 50 gram”, he said.
Asked to shed light on the yeast used in the production of pao, Peter said “ideally, 1.5 gram of yeast can be added to a pao weighing 50 grams. But, when you add 20 grams of yeast to the Pao with the same weight, it will only look big. This affects the quality and quantity. Too much yeast is also bad for health in the long run”.
From Rs 4 to Rs 5, it’s
bakers versus bakers
MARGAO: The All Goa Bakers and Confectioners Association, which had rolled back the price of Pao from Rs 5 to Rs 4 after some bakers refused to hike the price from October 1, has now decided to sell Pao @ Rs 5 behind the Margao Municipality on October 9 at 10 am.
Association President Peter Fernandes pointed out that this action has been taken to protest against a particular baker, claiming this baker had threatened the bakers to sell pao at Rs 4. Peter claimed this baker had forced other bakers to remove the price tags pasted on the cycles near the Margao Municipality due to which the rate of pao had to be reverted to Rs 4 in Margao and parts of Goa.
Peter further said at the corner meetings held throughout Goa, members have authorized the president to file recovery proceedings as per law against those section of bakers who ambushed the process for a hike in prices six years ago, which resulted in loss of lakhs of rupees to the bakers.
He warned the same people for threatening the bakers “the patience of bakers across Goa is lost”.
