Bullish spending through welfare cards by poor

BANGKOK, Oct 1 (TNA) - Many low-income earners are seen spending on buying consumer goods today, the first day which the government allows the poor to use electronic welfare cards to offset the cost of living. The Finance Ministry’s Comptroller General’s Department reported that as many as 51,000 low-income earners used the card, issued by the government in buying necessities, valued about 12.7 million baht this morning. A total of 86 passengers used the card for travelling on the state-run Transport Co., Ltd. Total bus fares amounted to about 26,000 baht. The department’s director-general, Sutthirat Rattanachot, said many card holders used the card in buying necessities from ‘Blue Flag’ stores especially in Chon Buri province. A few problems were found on the first day such as low internet speed, causing delays in payment by e-welfare cards. The electronic welfare card allows the poor with income over 30,000 baht a year to buy goods from ‘Blue Flag’ stores worth 200 baht monthly. And for those with yearly income lower than 30,000 baht, they could buy goods from the store valued 300 baht monthly. The low-income earners are also entitled to receive a discount, amounting 45 baht per person for a period of three months on buying cooking gas from stores, specified by the Energy Ministry. Other benefits include bus fares worth 500 baht monthly for travelling in Bangkok, 500 baht monthly or travelling by interprovincial buses and another 500 baht for travelling by train per month. (TNA)