The news that ‘pao’ will cost Rs 5 from October 2 was most disturbing and a blow to the common man. What used to be the poor man’s daily bread will now be out of reach for the middle class as well, especially those with large families.
Not only has the size and weight decreased over the years, but also its quality. And what was earlier Rs 1-2 per piece will now be Rs 5. What a tragedy, my Goan fellowmen.
It is unfortunate that the Goa government has ignored the persistent and reasonable demands of bakers in the State for subsidies on various items linked to the bread industry, despite the escalating costs of all raw materials.
If the government can provide free water to every household and free digital taxi meters to taxi operators, why can’t it provide subsidies to the hapless bakers and bakeries, some of which were forced to close down?
It is time for the government to do a re-think on the matter, to save the livelihood of bakers in the State, as well as the traditional Goan ‘pao’ from becoming extinct in the near future.
