TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: The Goa Traditional Bakers (poder) subsidy scheme finally stands modified to suit the needs of bakers, but members of the community said a few hurdles still remain to be overcome.
So far a total of eight applications for the financial assistance have been cleared by the committee, with 20 other applications are pending with the government for approval. The association of Goan bakers said though some bakers have applied for the scheme, they maintained there are hurdles to be overcome to pave way for bakers to take advantage of it.
Goa Rural Handicrafts Corporation Managing Director Levinson Martins informed that a total of eight applications for the subsidy scheme have been cleared by the panel set up for the purpose. “Around 20 more applications are pending for the subsidy scheme and the Corporation expects to receive a large number of applications from bakers”, he said.
“The government has agreed to permit the bakers to procure the maida from any registered traders instead of certain agencies”, Martins said.
On the ticklish question of who constitutes traditional bakers, Martins said the government has now agreed to extend the benefit of the scheme to the heirs of the bakers provided a particular unit is operated by children of the baker for a period of 10 years.
Association co-ordinator Peter Fernandes said the government should have opened the scheme for all categories of bakers, whether new or old. “Restrictions on the eligibility might defeat the very purpose of the scheme. Questions will be raised whether a new entrant, who will not be eligible to avail benefit of the scheme, will be allowed to hike the price of bread depending on market conditions”, Peter said.
President of the Association of Goan Bakers Agapito Menezes said the government has accepted many a suggestion raised by bakers and has modified the scheme. “As far as eligibility is concerned, the association has been assured that no hard and fast rule will be adhered to while giving benefit to traditional bakers”, he said.
Meanwhile, Peter Fernandes said the association plans to hold a meeting in Margao shortly to brief the bakers on the modified scheme and how to go about availing its benefits. “We plan to have taluka-wise meetings so as to bring about awareness amongst members about the scheme. We will also ask the government to ask the bank to waive the initial deposit of Rs 5,000 for opening of an account”, Peter added.
