Team Herald
MARGAO: A “rift” between the bakers with regards to the recent pao price hike by Re 1 came to the fore, as one of the groups on Monday reverted back to the old price of Rs 4, leaving consumers confused.
Sources said the “rift” amongst the two groups of bakers has created major confusion. On Monday, many bakers sold pao at Rs 4 instead of Rs 5. The rate of pao was hiked on October 2.
It may be recalled that All Goa Bakers and Confectioners’ Association (AGBCA) had decided to hike the price of pao by Re 1 and the decision was implemented on October 2. The other group of bakers too had supported the decision by publishing advertisements in the newspapers.
For the last two days, a group opposed to AGBCA president Peter Fernandes managed to convince a few bakers from Salcete and around not to follow the decision on pao price hike. On Monday the bakers were found selling pao at Rs 4 in many areas, even in Margao.
Peter demanded action against the bakers selling Pao at Rs 4, despite a unanimous decision taken by the association.
He blamed the other association of bakers for creating confusion amongst the people by suddenly reducing the price which was hiked from Rs 4 to Rs 5, and for the mess created in fixing the price.
“They are solely responsible for the mess created with regards to fixing the price of pao. What is shocking is that they too had supported our decision to hike the price of pao by Re 1. Actually they are least bothered about the difficulties faced by the traditional bakers in Goa”, he alleged.
He blamed on the office bearers of the other association for forcing the bakers to reduce the price back to Rs 4.
“As a result confusion has been created among the people and pao lovers. We demand action against such people”, he demanded.
Peter said they are firm in their decision on the pao price hike, which has already been in force and has been accepted by the people.
The bakers’ association led by Peter claimed that no support from the government has resulted in a hike in the price of pao. They demand that the government protect traditional bakers by coming out with a special scheme.
