Title: Iran’s Electronic Subsidy Scheme Expands, Offering Citizens Greater Choice and Support
In a significant move to bolster its social welfare system, Iran’s Electronic Voucher Scheme has seen its allocated credits double, reinforcing the government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable households. The program’s fifth phase introduces enhanced flexibility, directly empowering citizens with purchasing choices for essential goods.
Doubled Credits and New Purchasing Avenues
A senior official, Dr. Mideri, has announced that the credits for the subsidy scheme have been increased to 3,000 billion Tomans. This expansion is coupled with the introduction of two distinct methods for citizens to utilize their benefits, placing the decision-making power directly in their hands.
- Method One: Utilizing the direct cash subsidy amount to purchase 11 specific essential items.
- Method Two: Purchasing these items directly from a network of 12,000 selected stores across the country, benefiting from a 20% discount.
This dual-track approach is designed to provide flexibility and cater to the diverse needs of the population.
Navigating Challenges and Ensuring Continuity
The launch of the fifth phase follows a period of review and refinement by the government and relevant institutions. Initial concerns regarding the inclusion criteria and payment mechanisms were addressed to ensure the scheme’s effectiveness. While the program has consistently aimed to support household livelihoods, its implementation has been adapted in response to economic pressures to better serve its core objective.
Policy Focus: Stabilization and Support
The government, in coordination with the parliament, has prioritized policies aimed at market control and preserving the purchasing power of beneficiaries. Key strategies include:
- Stabilizing the prices of essential goods.
- Compensating producers and sellers for the price differential to ensure supply chain cooperation.
- Implementing mechanisms to provide items to beneficiaries at fixed, stable prices.
The definitive decision to continue the Electronic Voucher Scheme into its fifth phase has alleviated previous uncertainties. The current focus is squarely on maintaining price stability for essential commodities, a measure expected to alleviate inflationary pressures and bring balance to the supply and consumption chain. This sustained and strengthened initiative is poised to achieve its primary goal: mitigating economic pressure on vulnerable groups and ensuring access to basic necessities.