MARGAO: A clash was reported between two groups of members of the All Goa Toddy Tappers Association (AGTDA) on Tuesday, prompting the police to intervene. The traditional toddy tappers accused the office bearers of failing to hand over the assets and documents related to the association, while the officials defended themselves, stating that they will first hold a meeting before submission.The members of the association have been at odds with each other over alleged illegalities in the functioning of the association, including the issuance of fake caste certificates to people who do not belong to the toddy tappers’ community. Earlier, the District Registrar/Inspector General of Societies had declared all caste certificates issued by AGTDA as null and void, prompting traditional toddy tappers to threaten to approach the High Court to stop the association’s functioning.“Several traditional toddy tappers gathered at the office in Margao, as we were promised in writing by the president that all the assets and documents would be submitted to us on April 11. However, the office bearers refused to hand over the documents, stating they needed to call a meeting before doing so,” said member Mario Coutinho. Another member expressed anger over the office bearers for claiming that the documents had been destroyed. They also accused the office bearers of misguiding the other members of the association.
The toddy tappers raised questions about the functioning of the office and accused the members of misusing funds.
They alleged that the association was initially registered under the name ‘All Goa Toddy Tappers Association’, but the office bearers illegally changed it to ‘All Goa Toddy Tappers Employers Association’. The government has decided not to renew the registration certificate of the society owing to a dispute among two factions of the association members.
