PANJIM: A delegation of All Goa Association of Bakers (AGAB) consisting of President Agapito Menezes, Secretary Afonso Braganza, Treasurer Ravindra Gayatonde, Assistant Treasurer Robert Colaco and Member D Govekar, met Chairman of Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) Ganesh Shetgaonkar and Member Secretary Sanjeev Joglekar to highlight their grievances in view of the Board resolution directing the bakeries in the State to shutdown wood fired ovens, over a period of two years.
It was pointed out to the Board that the opinion of the stakeholders was not taken while passing the resolution which could affect the livelihood of the families involved in traditional activity and that the world famous Goan “poie” and “pao” and their variations can only be baked in wood fired ovens to give it the unique flavour and texture.
“Once the wood oven is fired, optimum use of the heat is made use of by baking different produce as the oven cools down,” Braganza added.
As for the use of gas/electricity ovens, it was pointed out to the chairman that the price of gas is exorbitant while the electric power supply is erratic.
“Investing in a DG set and running it on diesel is financially unviable and noise of DG at unearthly hours could be annoying to the elderly family members and neighbours. The pollution from DG sets would be difficult to control for the tiny industry,” Braganza added.
Furthermore, they lamented that since the government tries to controls the price of “pao” and “poie” the bakers would be unable to bear additional costs unlike manufacturers of other products.
The chairman informed the delegation that new fire wood equipment is being tested and is presently under trial in Margao. The members had no objection to use the equipment if successful provided the government subsidies the purchase of such polluting free fire wood ovens. They insisted that these ovens should however have the properties of traditional baking bricks used in the construction of oven.
The GSPCB was also informed that while the association members operate their bakery businesses by paying all dues to the government, there are several bakeries running without registration.
Joglekar assured the delegation that all the illegal bakeries would be identified and action will be taken as per the laws.
They also lamented that the GSPCB’s demand for the submission of various documents such as title paper, value of property, construction cost, deed of succession etc at the time of application for pollution certificate.
They pointed out that since these documents are already submitted to the panchayats/municipalities, this creates hardship for them. The chairman agreed to place it before the government as the move oversteps the jurisdiction of designated authority.
Regarding the back log fees prior to 1988, the chairman assured that the matter would be taken up with the Finance Department.
Braganza also informed the Board that since the government has not provided support to the traditional Goan industry, the younger generation is shifted to other occupations.
