Team Herald
MARGAO: Claiming that there is no government policy to protect and support the traditional bakers, the All Goa Bakers and Confectioners’ Association (AGBCA) has decided to hike the price of pao by Re 1. Hence from October 2 onwards, pao will cost Rs 5 instead of Rs 4.
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“A pao weighing 50 gms will cost Rs 5 at the retail outlets,” said Peter Fernandes, AGBCA president, who demanded a special scheme to protect the traditional bakers.
Briefing the media persons at Margao, he claimed that the fate of Goa’s traditional poie and unddo, besides, Goa’s bakers is on the verge of perishing, as their demands are not met by the government, despite several pleas.
The association has put forth several demands which include a law to protect the traditional Goan bakers from “outsiders”, who have ventured into the business in recent times and a scheme to boost the traditional bakers.
“We are struggling to eke out a living, only God knows why the government has meted out step-motherly treatment to us. We are happy that the government supports various communities in many ways, and hence we beg with folded hands and say ‘amcho ugddas korat'”, said Peter.
He said the traditional bakers lament living and saving the traditional business, the only wealth left by their forefathers.
“This business was run by Goan families with few workers. Now, this business has started to shrink due to steep hike in the prices of raw materials, shortage of skilled labourers who demand high salaries and commissions, firewood, etc. With these less skilled workers and without traditional methods, the charm, quality and flavour are lost. Earlier, bakers were systematic in preparing and baking bread only twice a day and that to using the prescribed quantity of yeast. Now a days, to make a fast buck, these new bakers have time to rest as they neither dough nor work”, claimed Peter.
AGBCA has already submitted the memorandum to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant urging him to fulfil their demands which include supply of cheap and subsidised firewood, simplified licensing system to transport supplies outside Goa, support price based on the principle the government provides to coconut growers, sugarcane farmers, special treatment under DDSSY, simplified and single window system to repair old bakeries, insurance schemes for the traditional bakers, financial support for bakers working after retirement age on account of non-availability of labourers, pension for labourers, bakers and working families, subsidy and simplified licensing system to upgrade bakeries, special quota in recognised catering colleges for bakers’ children for future modernisation of bakeries and government housing plots/flats for old bakers who reside in small bakeries .
Peter has also demanded that bakers from neighbouring States who bring bakery products including pao to sell at cheap rates be stopped.
“We demand that the government start a special cell for start-ups for bakers’ children, provide financial support and special quota in industrial plots/shades for bakers’ children to start modern bakeries, sanction educational loans to join catering colleges in India and abroad,” he said.
Meanwhile, the AGBCA will celebrate Bakers’ Day on October 2 with a special Eucharistic celebration at Holy Spirit Church, Margao at 10.30 am.
