MARGAO: The Goa Flower Traders’ Association (GFTA) has requested the Goa State Agricultural Marketing Board (GSAMB) to withdraw flowers from the recently included products regulated through the Board.
The GFTA informed that through a notice issued in the local newspapers they came to know of the regulation of the flower trade in Goa.
“It is learnt that the flower traders will not only have to obtain licence but will also have to pay 1% of the total purchase value of the flowers procured from the neighbouring states,” Prashant Naik of the GFTA said.
“It may be noted that the flower traders have to suffer a lot due to the transportation and storage of flowers. Flower being a perishable item, many times it gets destroyed due to scorching weather conditions,” Naik added.
“The GSAMB does not provide us with any services as they do for coconut and other traders. Hence, it has no right to collect any fees/tax from the flower traders. In fact, the Board’s move will push several traders out of the business,” informed Prashant.
It may be noted that the flower traders by conducting fair business are actually helping the government by not putting any pressure on it for employment, GFTA added
