Price rise affects middle class: YSR

Hyderabad, Apr 12 (UNI) Admitting that price rise has affected the middle class, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today maintained that poor people were being insulated to a greater extent through subsidies.

Talking to reporters here, he attributed the price hike to ''unprecedented rise'' in the price of crude oil in the international market. ''When the Congress came back to power, it was only about 40 US follars per barrel. It had now touched 110 US dollar s.

The Government's decision to provide rice at just Rs two per kg and subsidise the cost of Redgram and edible oil had provided a great relief to those living below the poverty line, he said, adding that middle class people were certainly affected by the price rise.

The Rs two-a-kg rice scheme had won the appreciation of the poor people, he said, adding he was overwhelmed by the very good response to his ''prajapatham'' programme from the people.

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