Panaji: A major controversy is brewing between hoteliers and restaurant-owners, on one side and roadside eatery owners or 'gaddas' on the other.

Many of the restaurant-owners are complaining that the roadside eateries are taking away their business by providing cheaper food while the established restaurant- owners have to pay heavy tax to the government, thereby incurring more expenses in running their business.

"Majority of the 'gaddas' are eating away our business. We are providing good food, good ambience and so many liabilities. But they are even providing alcohol, soft drink. Due to the existing rules we have to close down after 11 at night but the 'gadda' goes on till 2 o' clock in the morning. They sell alcohol. Crime rates certainly will go up and there is also a traffic congestion," said C P Jaggi, a restaurant owner.

The matter is becoming a cause of concern for the state government, as most of the hoteliers and restaurant owners have threatened to go to court against the illegal operations of gaddas in the state.

Gaddas have mushroomed all over the state, providing cheaper and faster food to the customers.

"The business of gadda is good and lots of customers come here to eat," said Ram Avadh, who owns a gadda stall. Many of the restaurant-owners believe the real threat to burger, pizza and sandwich and other snacks comes from a dish called 'Ras omelet', which tops the demand for all food items sold on these gaddas.

An omelet of one egg with two loaves of bread along with spicy chicken curry just costs about Rs 10, while food served at established restaurants cost more than a common man could afford.

Though price many be one factor that is luring customers in large numbers to these roadside gaddas, other factors like friendly atmosphere also attract crowds to these roadside eateries.

"Compared to restaurants the food here is cheap and fresh. If there are friends coming along, it is much more fun to eat in the open," said Sanjay, one of the customers.

Restaurant-owners complain that they cannot go for price war with these gaddas as they do not pay any tax for electricity and water to the municipal authority.

But the government has also kept mum so far on this issue as most of these gadda-owners are locals and work under local leaders. About 400 to 450 gaddas are doing business on almost every corner of Goa attracting a large number of people.

ANI