Spirits were high at the launch of the Re.1-a-kg rice scheme on Wednesday. But beneficiaries also said cheap rice would not solve all their problems.
Sundhil, a labourer from Banashankari Second Stage, said: “Every month, I spend approximately a third of my income, Rs. 2000, on rice. Now I will spend much less.”
However, she said there were other major expenses. “I still have to pay a high rent, and I spend a lot on other things. For instance, my cell phone bill is Rs. 240 a month,” he added.
Bal Gopal Rao, from Seshadripuram, was excited about the scheme, but said he was yet to get a BPL card. “Although this programme is good for the poor, I am waiting for my BPL card for which I have already applied,” he said.
