Title: Fifth Phase of Electronic Subsidy Cards: Recharge Timeline and Strategic Details Announced
Government Announces Readiness for Key Economic Support Measure
Senior Iranian officials have confirmed the imminent rollout of the fifth phase of the government’s electronic subsidy card program, a central pillar of the nation’s social and economic support framework. The initiative is designed to mitigate the impact of global economic pressures on vulnerable segments of society.
Infrastructure and Economic Defense in Place
The Minister of Economy, Seyed Ali Madanizadeh, has announced that all technical infrastructure for the full implementation of the scheme is fully prepared. He emphasized that challenges related to transaction processing and store connectivity have been resolved. Minister Madanizadeh stated that all potential economic scenarios, including currency fluctuations and inflationary pressures, have been forecasted, with corresponding economic defense protocols designed to manage them. He described the electronic subsidy card as a key instrument for reducing the effect of economic shocks on vulnerable groups.
Focus on Social Justice and Market Stability
Echoing this sentiment, Masoumeh Aghapour, an advisor to the President, underscored the program’s focus on social justice. She confirmed that households in the first to third income deciles remain the government’s primary priority. Aghapour assured all citizens that the program is not merely a “consumption subsidy” but a strategic tool for crisis management and maintaining market stability. While the policy’s continuity depends on next year’s budgetary resources, the government is striving to keep it operational until the end of the Persian year 1404 (March 2025).
Timeline and Allocation Details
Although an exact recharge date has not been officially announced, based on statements from government authorities, the fifth phase is scheduled for the second half of the Persian month of Mehr or, at the latest, early Aban 1404 (mid-October to early November 2023). The current delay is attributed to finalizing the specific quotas for households and completing financial coordination for credit allocation.
According to the plan’s details, each individual in the first to third income deciles will receive 500,000 Tomans in credit, while those in the fourth to seventh deciles will be allocated 350,000 Tomans for the purchase of essential goods.
Parliamentary Support for Swift Implementation
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament), recently emphasized the necessity of the program’s swift execution during a public session. He stated, “The people must be able to purchase essential goods at stable prices, and the government is obligated to pay the price difference.” He identified the subsidy card as an immediate solution to alleviate economic pressure on citizens.
Expanded Product List and Accessibility
In a recent update, turkey meat has been added to the list of 11 essential goods covered by the subsidy cards. This decision aims to increase dietary diversity and provide a protein alternative that is more affordable than red meat. Households can use their credit to purchase these items at contracted chain and local stores. The list of eligible goods includes oil, rice, meat, chicken, dairy products, pasta, legumes, and sugar.
Officials overseeing the program maintain that the electronic subsidy card is a vital mechanism for reducing the cost-of-living pressure on households and facilitating easier access to essential commodities for millions of Iranian families.