MARGAO: All Goa Bakers and Confectionery Association (AGBCA) on Saturday warned the group of bakers from Salcete, mostly of Margao to implement the new rate of pao or be ready to face action, as AGBCA held a peaceful protest at Margao, on Saturday.
Several bakers under the leadership of Peter Fernandes, president of AGBCA gathered behind the Margao Municipal Council building and protested against the other group of Salcete bakers for creating confusions amongst the consumers by suddenly reverting back to the old rate of pao.
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Speaking to the media persons, Peter said, “pao will be sold at Rs 5 in Margao from Saturday onwards, and if any baker attempts to sell the pao at old rate, strict action will be initiated, and will not even allow them to stand near MMC building”.
“We were forced to come on the roads as one group of bakers from Salcete suddenly reverted the rate of the pao to the old price Rs 4. All the bakers from Goa had taken a decision to increase the price by Re 1 and all have agreed,” he said.
Peter further said that suddenly few bakers from Salcete started to sell the pao at Rs 4 and creating confusion amongst the other bakers and also with the consumers.
“This confusion has created loss to several bakers and hence we demand that the group of bakers from Salcete should compensate for this loss. We will not allow the bakers to stand near the MMC building if they fail to implement the new rate,” he warned.
AGBCA President further alleged that the bakers from the Salcete group are involved in illegalities.
“We are aware that there are few bakers who are operating the businesses without proper licences. Will surely initiate action against the same through the concerned authorities, if they fail to follow the uniform rate of pao,” said Peter.
After a rift between two groups of bakers, the AGBCA managed to convince the bakers from Calangute, Pernem, Ponda and other areas to implement the new rate.
It must be recalled that the AGBCA had claimed no support from the government to protect the traditional bakery business in Goa.
“We have given representation to the government on several occasions but nothing has been done. The government failed to even acknowledge our memorandum,” said Peter.
