Title: New Subsidy Directive Expands Food Basket to Support Households
In a significant move to bolster public welfare, the Iranian government is expanding its electronic food subsidy program, adding new items to the essential goods basket and reaffirming its commitment to supporting citizens’ purchasing power.
A Presidential Priority
The head of the Plan and Budget Organization, Pourmohammadi, has emphasized that the government is fully dedicated to implementing President Pezeshkian’s directive for the monthly distribution of the commodity subsidy. This underscores the administration’s focus on ensuring the program’s continuity and effectiveness.
Expanded Choices for Families
Ali Ashtab, from the General Department of Cooperation, Labor, and Social Welfare in Qom province, announced the expansion of the “Commodity Subsidy Plan.” The initiative now includes new items such as turkey and quail meat in the poultry category, as well as fish and shrimp among aquatic products. This expansion is designed to diversify the food options available to families and support their nutritional health.
Ashtab detailed that eligible individuals in income deciles 1 to 3 will receive 500,000 Tomans in subsidy credit, while those in deciles 4 to 7 will receive 350,000 Tomans. Citizens can utilize these credits at a network of over 2,100 participating stores in Qom province until the end of the Persian month of Aban.
Strengthening Purchasing Power
The official clarified that the purchases are made directly using the allocated credit, free of charge. He also highlighted that the government’s controlled pricing and market supervision ensure that citizens receive fair value. The primary goal, as stated, is to help families manage their household expenses more effectively during the current economic period.
National Support for the Program
The broader national framework of this support system was highlighted by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who stressed the necessity of continuing the commodity subsidy plan. He noted that such measures are crucial for preserving the purchasing power of households and stabilizing the prices of essential goods, which in turn helps conserve national resources.
Looking Ahead: The Fifth Phase
Millions of households across the nation are now anticipating the launch of the fifth phase of the electronic subsidy. While the precise date is contingent upon the finalization of necessary funding as per the national budget law, predictions point towards a rollout in the Persian month of Azar 1404. The program, which complements cash subsidies, allows for the direct purchase of essential items without cash withdrawal, aiming for a more equitable distribution of state support.
This sustained effort reflects the government’s strategic focus on safeguarding the welfare of its citizens through direct and tangible economic assistance.