Rouhani's Government Seeks to Provide 'Electronic Coupons' to 10 Million People

The Deputy Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare announced that the ministry has proposed a plan to allocate 'goods cards' to 10 million people with a monthly amount of 100,000 tomans to the government. Meanwhile, the website Eghtesad Online reported that the government intends to provide 'electronic coupons' for purchasing essential goods to the public at the request of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare. Ahmad Midari, the Deputy Minister, stated in an interview with Tasnim News Agency on Sunday, September 16, that the ministry has submitted the plan for 'goods cards' to the President. According to Mr. Midari, under this plan, the bank cards of individuals receiving subsidies will be converted into 'goods cards,' allowing them to receive essential goods at designated stores. He mentioned that these cards will be charged with 100,000 tomans monthly. Mr. Midari added, 'In this plan, individuals do not have access to cash, and essentially these cards are a guarantee for the delivery of imported essential goods with currency subsidies to consumers.' Anoushiravan Mohseni Bandpay, the caretaker of the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, had previously promised that all individuals covered by the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation and Welfare Organization would receive a goods basket by the end of September. He also reported that the government is considering a plan to provide 'electronic coupons' to eight deciles or all individuals in society. During the Iran-Iraq War and for several years afterward, some food items, including meat, rice, and sugar, were distributed among the public in coupon form. The head of the Management and Planning Organization announced on September 7 that five packages were being prepared to support five groups against U.S. sanctions and fluctuations in the currency market, including the provision of essential goods and support for low-income individuals. Iranian parliament representatives were also seeking to approve an urgent plan to secure essential goods but accepted to set it aside due to government opposition, allowing the government to pursue the matter itself. Following the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and the increase in the dollar price, reports have emerged about some people hoarding goods. The rise in the dollar price has affected other economic indicators in Iran, and in July of this year, the point-to-point inflation rate exceeded 24%, with monthly inflation reaching 5.5%, breaking a twenty-year record. The return of U.S. sanctions began on August 6, and the U.S. has announced that in the next phase of sanctions, starting on November 4, it will attempt to reduce Iran's oil sales to zero. According to some analysts, oil sales sanctions and banking sanctions will be the most significant sanctions against Iran, a point acknowledged by some officials of the Islamic Republic as well.