Title: Iran’s Parliament Approves Targeted Subsidy Boost for Low-Income Families
In a move to enhance social welfare and economic stability, the Iranian Parliament has announced a significant increase in the value of the “Goods Voucher” for the month of Aban, with a specific focus on supporting lower-income households. The initiative is part of a broader, targeted strategy to refine the nation’s subsidy system.
A Budgetary Mandate for Greater Equity
Central to this policy is the full implementation of a budgetary directive. The plan involves the reallocation of resources by removing cash subsidies from the top 30% of income earners (deciles 8 to 10, approximately 20 million people). The freed-up funds are then directly channeled to increase the purchasing power of the most vulnerable families, primarily in deciles 1 to 3, with the potential to extend to deciles 4 and 5 depending on available resources. This precise targeting ensures that state support reaches those who need it most.
Understanding the Goods Voucher System
The Goods Voucher is a monthly electronic credit loaded onto a citizen’s bank card or national ID. Its core purpose is to enable the purchase of essential goods at stable prices, thereby strengthening household food security, mitigating the impact of inflation, and making the subsidy system more efficient.
Key Conditions for Implementation
The Parliament has outlined several conditions for the voucher increase:
- The strict enforcement of the cash subsidy removal for higher-income deciles.
- A guaranteed, stable supply of essential goods through contracts with suppliers and continuous market oversight.
- The integration of the voucher distribution system with supervisory platforms to prevent overcharging and the misuse of resources.
Dual Support: Vouchers and Cash Subsidies
According to parliamentary representatives, the Goods Voucher forms the cornerstone of livelihood support. The cash subsidy acts as a complementary measure for low-income families, particularly where no budget deficit exists. This combined, targeted approach prioritizes the voucher system to effectively contribute to household food security and economic balance.
Boosting Domestic Production
A fundamental principle of the new plan is its focus on strengthening Iran’s domestic economy. By directing voucher resources towards key sectors like health, livestock, poultry, and grains, the policy achieves two major goals:
- It enhances the purchasing power of families while maintaining price stability.
- It creates a guaranteed market for domestic producers, reducing reliance on imports and fostering national economic resilience.
Proven Effectiveness and High Utilization
Official reports confirm the system’s high uptake, with nearly 99% of the allocated voucher credit being utilized by the end of the previous month. This high consumption rate underscores the program’s vital role in meeting the real needs of Iranian families and validates the parliamentary push for its expansion.
Expanded Nutritional Options
To improve dietary diversity for lower-income households, four new protein items—turkey, quail, fish, and shrimp—have been added to the list of purchasable goods under the voucher scheme, joining existing staples like dairy, rice, and legumes.
This comprehensive policy reflects a continued commitment to social justice and economic stability through carefully calibrated and targeted support mechanisms.