K’taka CM promises cheaper rice for lower middle-class

The Congress, which wrested power from BJP in Karnataka early this month, is taking forward its pledge of 30kg rice at Re.1 a kg for poor families with a plan to offer rice at less than Rs.9 a kg for the lower middle-income group in the state. ‘We are thinking of providing rice to APL (above poverty line) card holders also at cheaper price. Now it is sold at Rs.9 a kg while the market price is about Rs.25 a kg,’ chief minister Siddaramaiah told reporters in this city, about 130 km from Bangalore. Siddaramaiah did not indicate what the price would be and from when the plan would be implemented.