ID :
152323
Sun, 12/05/2010 - 13:05
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/152323
The shortlink copeid
Delay in subsidy reform not due to security concerns: minister
TEHRAN, Dec. 5 (MNA)-- Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Shamsoddin Hosseini rejected the speculation that a delay in implementing the subsidy reform plan is due to security concerns.
“The preparations for the implementation of the subsidy reform plan have nearly completed and the law will be put in force in the near future,” Hosseini told reporters on Saturday.
The reform has been delayed to make better preparations, he noted, insisting that subsidy reform is a “necessity” and “not an option”.
The economy minister also said the exact date to start the plan cannot be announced now.
The subsidy reform plan envisages a cutting of subsidies on fuel, electricity, and certain goods over the course of five years. The administration has decided to pay cash subsidies for an undecided period of time to compensate low-income families for the inflationary repercussions of the plan.
The initial stage of the plan started last month as the administration paid cash payments into the bank accounts of people. Then it was announced that the main stage of the plan would go into force at the latest since the beginning of the current Iranian calendar month of Azar which started on November 22, but the administration has not yet started the so-called overhaul of the economy.
The delay has provoked criticism from the parliamentarians and experts. They say that the delay will raise the inflationary expectations resulting in unreasonable rise in the prices.
“The preparations for the implementation of the subsidy reform plan have nearly completed and the law will be put in force in the near future,” Hosseini told reporters on Saturday.
The reform has been delayed to make better preparations, he noted, insisting that subsidy reform is a “necessity” and “not an option”.
The economy minister also said the exact date to start the plan cannot be announced now.
The subsidy reform plan envisages a cutting of subsidies on fuel, electricity, and certain goods over the course of five years. The administration has decided to pay cash subsidies for an undecided period of time to compensate low-income families for the inflationary repercussions of the plan.
The initial stage of the plan started last month as the administration paid cash payments into the bank accounts of people. Then it was announced that the main stage of the plan would go into force at the latest since the beginning of the current Iranian calendar month of Azar which started on November 22, but the administration has not yet started the so-called overhaul of the economy.
The delay has provoked criticism from the parliamentarians and experts. They say that the delay will raise the inflationary expectations resulting in unreasonable rise in the prices.
