MARGAO: Finally, bakers from Margao and other parts of Salcete on Monday implemented the new rate by selling pao at Rs 5 on Monday.
Pao was also sold at the wholesale rate of Rs 4, as announced by the bakers in October, as a result the rift between the bakers stands resolved. In October, at a meeting held in Margao, a group of bakers from Salcete under the banner of All Goa Association of Bakers had deliberated on the issue and had decided to implement the new rate from November 1, and wholesale rate of pao for hotels, eateries and hospitals at Rs 4.
It may be recalled that earlier All Goa Bakers and Confectioners’ Association led by Peter Fernandes had taken a decision to increase the price of pao by Re 1. And the bakers under the association had implemented the new rate from October 1. However, the other group of bakers from Margao and Salcete had objected to the rate stating that the issue needs to be discussed at their association level. And hence, there was a major rift between the bakers.
“After deliberating on the issue, the bakers from Margao decided to increase the rate of pao to Rs 5. They have assured to implement this decision from November 1. Seventy-five per cent bakers across the State are already selling the retail pao of 50 gms at Rs 5,” Agapito Menezes, president of All Goa Association of Bakers had said in October at Margao.
Now, the group of bakers from Margao have started to charge the consumer Rs 5, from Monday.
Reacting to the implementation of the new rate by bakers from Margao, Peter Fernandes, president of All Goa Bakers and Confectioners’ Association said he is happy to see that at last the new rate is implemented by another group of bakers.
“My intention to deliberate on a hike in rate was only for the benefit of bakers, and there was no self-interest. I want to resolve the issue and problems of bakers,” he said.
