High price of rice

There are two letters in Today paper commenting on the high price of rice, its impact on the ordinary workers and the insensitive remarks by two politicians on this matter.

Here are my observations:

a) The increase in the price of rice, on its own, may appear to be bearable
b) But the prices of many other essentials have increased as well
c) Taxes and ERPs have also increased
d) The total impact of all the increases is large

It is not only the people on public assistance who cannot cope. Many workers or modest salary do not earn enough to meet their expenses. The recent increases is a big blow to their budget.

What is the solution? There are two possible approaches:

a) Price controls on essential products
b) Allowance for low income families

I agree with the approach adopted by the Government to provide assistance to low income families (rather than price controls). I believe that the assistance net should be widened to include more low income families who are affected by the hike in the cost of living.