Iranian Parliament Oversees Rollout of New Electronic Subsidy Scheme
In a significant move to address economic pressures on households, the Iranian Parliament has intensified its oversight of the government’s implementation of the long-awaited Electronic Goods Voucher (کالابرگ الکترونیکی) scheme. Senior officials have confirmed a late-fall deadline for the program’s finalization.
Parliamentary Pressure for Timely Action
During an open session of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, Hamidreza Hajibabaei, the head of the Parliament’s Plan and Budget Commission, pointedly addressed the legal requirement to execute the electronic voucher law. He publicly criticized the delays in the process, emphasizing that the Ministry of Welfare and the government are legally obligated to finalize the allocation for target income deciles by the end of the Iranian month of Aban (late November). He assured that the Parliament will rigorously monitor the precise execution of this law.
This sentiment was echoed by Jabar Koochaki Nejad, a representative from Rasht, who highlighted the difficult living conditions of the people and rising prices of essential goods. He lamented the holdup in implementing legal resolutions, noting that the electronic voucher law was passed in the 10th Parliament and has been pursued in the 11th, yet full implementation has faced obstacles.
A Strategic Tool for Economic Stability
The Electronic Goods Voucher plan is designed as a key component of the government’s economic package to alleviate financial strain on citizens. By providing commodity subsidies directly to households, it enables the purchase of essential goods at stabilized prices. The primary objective is to control inflation, particularly for food items, with a fixed basket of goods designated for the scheme.
The strategic goals of the plan are multi-faceted:
- Direct Livelihood Support: Monthly allocation of vouchers for the subsidized purchase of essential items.
- Optimization of Currency Resources: Efficient allocation of foreign currency for the import of essential goods to reduce resource waste.
- Supply Chain Transparency: Leveraging advanced technology to digitally monitor the distribution process and eliminate intermediaries.
- Subsidy Structure Reform: Replacing traditional subsidy models with a targeted and efficient system.
Government Readiness and Technological Integration
Affirming the administration’s preparedness, Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, Seyed Ali Madanizadeh, stated that the government has adopted resilient policies to confront economic challenges. He identified the Electronic Goods Voucher as a critical part of this strategy, utilizing advanced technology to bring greater transparency to the distribution of basic commodities and strengthen the nation’s economic infrastructure.