Iranian Parliament Announces November Rollout of Essential Goods Subsidy Scheme
In a significant move to address economic pressures on households, the Iranian Parliament has confirmed the operational launch of a new electronic subsidy system for essential goods, scheduled to begin next month.
Parliamentary Directive Sets Timeline
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, announced in an open session that the implementation of the commodity voucher plan, which involves the direct allocation of goods as per the law, will commence in the month of Aban (mid-October to mid-November).
He clarified that while the previous method of cash subsidy payments will continue until the end of the current month of Mehr, all necessary preparations for the new goods-based system are complete. The government is now prepared to operationalize the scheme, aligning with the legal framework established by the legislature.
Government Mandate and Parliamentary Oversight
The government is legally mandated to implement the commodity voucher law by the end of Aban. Parliament has pledged rigorous monitoring and follow-up to ensure the plan is realized, with the explicit goal of alleviating the economic burden on citizens.
Echoing this directive, Hamidreza Hajibabaei, a presiding board member of the parliament, provided further explanations during a session. He emphasized that the Minister of Welfare must take all necessary measures to allocate these electronic vouchers to the targeted groups and income deciles, in accordance with the law passed by Parliament.
A Final Deadline for Implementation
Hajibabaei pointed to the end of Aban as the final deadline set by Parliament for the law’s full execution. He stated that the Ministry of Welfare and the government must make their final decisions on the matter, while Parliament will maintain careful oversight to ensure the electronic voucher system is implemented as intended.
The discussions in Parliament were prompted by concerns raised by lawmakers about the economic challenges faced by the public. Jabar Kouchakinejad, the representative for Rasht, highlighted the difficult economic situation and noted that the Parliament Speaker had previously issued two warnings regarding the implementation of the electronic voucher law.
Addressing Economic Pressures
Kouchakinejad stressed that with the continuous rise in prices, households are facing a crisis in providing for their basic needs. He called on the Parliament to take fundamental action to resolve this issue, underscoring the critical role the electronic subsidy scheme is expected to play in reducing the economic strain on families.
The concerted efforts by the Parliament signal a focused approach to swiftly enact a policy designed to provide direct support and stabilize the living conditions of the Iranian people.