The Union of Consumers of Russia has applied to the Ministry of Industry and Trade with a proposal to introduce food cards for low-income citizens. Such details were disclosed by Izvestia.
Russians who receive housing benefits were also offered to compensate part of their spending on food. We are talking about a category of citizens whose share of payments for housing and communal services in family income is from 22 percent. The state has already recognized such Russians as needy and compensates part of the utility bills.
The Union of Consumers proposes to transfer an average of three thousand rubles per family per month and allow money to be spent only on domestic food. In total, the idea needs no more than nine billion rubles a month, or 81 billion rubles by the end of the year, if payments are launched already from April 1.
As the head of the Consumer Union Petr Shelishch explained, the state will thus support not only citizens in need, but also the food industry.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a meeting with the heads of the State Duma factions, agreed with the proposal to think about introducing food stamps for the poor, although he noted the existence of problems. According to the head of state, the issue of food certificates for the poor is heard in the government, the idea is already visible and it has advantages.