According to statistical information, more than 15% of Russian citizens have the right to obtain low-income status, that is, families whose average earnings are lower living wage. Based on such figures and in an effort to improve the standard of living of the population, the Government is implementing social programs additional help. In particular, food packages will be provided for the poor, which include an extensive list of food products.

Legislative regulation of the issue

It has been planned to introduce such privileges for more than three years. But given that the practical implementation of new ideas requires favorable financial soil, food cards have not yet been issued. Therefore, in 2019, a social card for low-income citizens may become operational, giving the right to receive food for free or with significant discounts.

Table No. 1 " Legal regulation question"

After the adoption of a federal law, local developments begin regulations regulating the implementation rules social policy within a subject of the Federation.

As for the timing of the provision of assistance, it is already known when food cards for the poor will be introduced. The implementation of the program will begin in the middle of the current calendar year. But full-fledged activity in this area is expected only from the beginning of 2019. According to the adopted legal acts, the following principles for the implementation of social policy in this area are established:

• production of individual cards with points, the number of which corresponds to 10,000 rubles;
• points will be awarded monthly in equal amounts;
• all funds not spent within a calendar month are canceled on the first day of the following month;
• You can pay with points in the supermarket;
• functions for debiting or transferring funds are not available - only purchasing through a payment terminal;
• the card is valid for one year and the amount on it is not replenished;
• It is allowed to independently replenish the card with cash, providing 40% bonuses from the deposited funds.

Main concepts

Such cards will not be issued to the entire population. To apply for privileges, it is important to prove your unsatisfactory financial situation. It is also necessary to take into account other conditions for the implementation of the program.

Table No. 2 “Main concepts of the food benefit program”

Concept	Definition
Living wage	Since January 2019, the following subsistence level has been established in Russia: 10 thousand 328 rubles. This is income that should cover the basic expenses of an average family. The amount is minimal throughout Russia, but municipal authorities have the right to change the cost of living upward, based on the capabilities of the local budget
Low-income family	A married couple connected by marriage who has received a certificate from the social insurance authorities confirming the assignment of preferential status. In this case, the average per capita family income is taken into account, which is calculated by summing up all official incomes of family members. And then the amount of funds for each family member is derived from the result obtained
Meal ticket	Special coupons that can be issued in order to receive a consumer package. The provision of products is carried out within the approved list of goods

Important! A coupon does not always guarantee free products. Discounts and promotions are available for certain categories of food units.

Who is eligible for the benefit?

According to the approved documents, the following categories of the population have the right to receive benefits:

• low-income people (married couples or individuals);
• citizens who have received preferential status “” (assigned by social security authorities if three or more children are dependent on the parents);
• unemployed citizens (the person is required to register with the employment service);
• (a woman who raises children on her own if the father was deprived of paternity or renounced his rights in court).

In addition to the presence of these circumstances, you will have to confirm your earnings, for which:

• calculate the income of the family (relatives who live together and run a joint household, including parents, spouses and children, grandparents, aunts and uncles) for the past three months;
• divide the amount received among all family members (even those who do not work).

As for the types of income taken into account, they include: wages, interest on bank deposits, scholarships, remuneration for intellectual work, payments under a commercial real estate lease agreement, alimony, etc.

List of products that can be purchased

On at the moment The list of available products is still being compiled and has not been finalized. But the following rules are already known:

• All food products recommended for the daily human diet will be included in the accounting;
• the benefit cannot be spent on alcohol and smoking products;
• Only domestic goods will be on the list;
• It is possible to purchase personal hygiene products, but only Russian production;
• there is a chance that specialty pet foods will be included in the list.

The final list of the food basket will be available by the beginning of summer, immediately before the start of implementation of this program.

The procedure for issuing food cards for the poor

The amount of bonus points is not universal, but will depend on the region of provision, so you can initiate the issuance of food stamps for low-income citizens in 2019 only at your place of registration. To do this you need to follow these steps.

In 2017, food cards with points will appear in Russia; this program will cost the state 240 billion rubles. (about $4 billion). Russian media quote the words of the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, who spoke about the principle of operation of the cards.

The cards will allow low-income people to purchase products that they previously could not afford: fresh chilled meat, fresh chilled fish, fresh vegetables.

There will be no accumulative system; points not spent within a month will be “burned out.”

In addition, this money cannot be cashed.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade reported that 15 million people could become recipients of assistance, the monthly payment would be 1,400 rubles. It will be possible to purchase goods using the card at any retail outlets working with the national payment system.

According to Manturov, targeted food subsidies will not only help low-income citizens buy goods that are inaccessible to them, but will also protect the state from misuse of allocated funds.

American experience

Experts note that the program proposed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade is reminiscent of the American Food Stamp Program.

This is a federal assistance program for residents of the United States who have no or low incomes.

Ministry responsible for the program agriculture USA. Currently, most of the funds are distributed using plastic cards.

As of October 2016, 43,215,557 people from 21,328,525 households were receiving food assistance.

Average monthly size benefits per person amounted to $126.13, per household - $256.93.

The main goal of the preferential food purchase program is to improve the quality of nutrition among low-income citizens.

You can only buy food products with the card; alcohol and cigarettes do not fall into this category; therefore, you cannot spend the allocated money on these goods.

Among the products that you can buy are vegetables and fruits, bread, milk and dairy products, meat and fish, and poultry.

You cannot buy food or pet products alcoholic drinks and cigarettes, household goods, live animals.

But live fish You can buy with these cards, since it belongs to the category of food products.

You can buy sweets, confectionery and baked goods.

In addition, cards cannot be purchased in all stores. You also cannot cash this money or buy food with it at fast food restaurants.

However, as practice has shown, families receiving food stamps do not spend more on purchasing food: most of the money saved by exchanging food stamps is spent on other purposes.

As with any system of gratuitous distribution of money, there are cases of corruption and fraud.

Citizens participating in the program begin to hide their additional income in order to continue receiving government assistance.

Despite the ban on exchanging food stamps for cash, food stamp recipients often collude with sellers and sell them food stamps at a discount, such as a $400 food stamp sold for $200.

This is beneficial both for the recipient of the coupons: he receives not food, but real money, and for the seller: he receives the full cost of the coupon from the budget as compensation.

The result is a significant criminalization of the food stamp industry.

As Vesti.Economy previously wrote, the number of people in the United States receiving food cards has increased significantly over the eight years that Obama has been in power.

When he came to power in 2009, 28,223,000 people were receiving food cards.

In 2016, 44,219,000 people already received food cards. Thus, the increase was almost 16 million people.

Grocery cards in other countries of the world

In the 20th century, they were widely used in the countries of the socialist camp to combat commodity shortages, and in countries with market economy- to support socially vulnerable segments of the population.

In particular, ration cards became widespread after the end of World War II.

In the Czech Republic, a card system for basic food products was introduced on October 2, 1939, for fabrics, clothing, shoes and heating oil - in December of the same year. With amendments and additions, it existed until May 31, 1953 and was abolished during the currency reform.

In the UK, ration cards for petrol were abolished in 1950, for sugar and sweets - in 1953, for meat - in July 1954.

In Japan, the rationing system was abolished in 1949, and government price controls were abolished in 1952.

In Israel, the card system was introduced in 1949-1952.

Card-based distribution systems still exist today in some countries.

Thus, the card system is present in countries such as Venezuela and Cuba.

Cuba currently spends more than a billion dollars on food subsidies, which are distributed through ration cards to the population. Cubans pay only 12% of the real cost of food.

You can use it to buy food for about 10 days, but the card is inexpensive: only a dollar a month for one person.

The card system in Cuba was introduced in 1962.

Venezuela, which has been in crisis for years, also has a food stamp system. The card system was introduced in 2014.

With cards you can buy scarce goods - rice, milk, sugar.

Grocery cards in our country

Already this month, the Stolypin Club will present its “Growth Strategy” to the president. The priority is the development of internal competition and avoidance of oil and gas dependence. In addition, it is necessary to create a more favorable economic environment for the infusion of new investments

In our country greatest distribution the coupon system was introduced in 1988-1991, when the total shortage reached its peak, and products began to disappear, both meat and ordinary ones, which had not previously been in short supply: sugar, cereals, vegetable oil and more.

The coupon system came to naught from the beginning of 1992 due to the “release” of prices, which reduced effective demand, and the spread of free trade. For a number of goods in some regions, coupons were retained longer.

The authorities' decision to introduce a system of food cards in our country caused a mixed reaction in society.

There were both critics of this idea, who stated that such a system would lead to the emergence of corruption and fraudulent schemes and would not in any way affect the level of well-being of the poor, and supporters who pointed out that such a system could stimulate growth in demand in the country.

In particular, business ombudsman Boris Titov, in an interview with the host of the Opinion program, Evelina Zakamskaya, said:

"Many countries, even prosperous America, have systems in place to support basic demand for everyday goods. Why don't we have this? Why shouldn’t we be given the opportunity to encourage consumers to buy domestic products? food products? This will give a serious impetus: firstly, it will improve the life of the population, on the other hand, it will stimulate the development of Russian agriculture".

“This would give a little less than 1% to the growth of agricultural volumes. This would (add - editor’s note) several tenths of percentage points to GDP,” he added.

"World" to help

The Mir debit card will become a payment instrument within the framework of the food assistance program for low-income citizens of Russia; the method of transferring funds from the budget to consumers is currently being finalized, the press service of the Ministry of Industry and Trade reported.

“The payment instrument of the program, an electronic food certificate, is the Mir debit card. It can be specially issued at the consumer’s request by any bank, or the consumer can use an existing one,” the press service said.

The ministry pointed out the versatility of the Mir card: it can be used to accrue salaries, stipends, benefits or other payments.

Now the Ministry of Industry and Trade is finalizing the very architecture of the program’s processing - a way to transfer money from the budget to consumers and then to retail outlets.

At the same time, automatic control of the targeted expenditure of these funds will be ensured, since the money allocated under the program can only be spent on certain categories of products.

“We and NSPK JSC, the operator of the national payment system Mir, have already found a suitable technical solution, which may well operate within the framework of already existing processing mechanisms when paying with bank cards. Only special functions will be added to automatically control whether an acceptable product is purchased or not. If not, the system will not allow such a purchase,” the press service added.

Moreover, the cards can be used in all stores that are ready to work in this system.

Why should low-income citizens top up food cards with “their own hard-earned money”? If only for the following reason: the state promises that a citizen will be able to receive from 30% to 50% of the top-up amount monthly - this is a pretty solid profit. The Ministry of Industry and Trade, apparently, has not yet decided what will happen to personal funds at the end of the month and whether they will burn out along with the bonus rubles. The experience of the USSR and foreign countries The distribution of “cards for the poor” is not at all an innovative solution for a crisis economy. We can say that food cards are returning to Russia - a similar system was already in effect in the USSR. Grocery cards appeared in the USSR together with the USSR itself - in 1917. The coupon payment system was introduced periodically, but this was not at all connected with the widespread poverty of Russians (as it is now), but with constant supply crises.

When will food cards be introduced for the poor in Russia in 2018?

Attention

According to preliminary data, food cards will be serviced by the Mir payment system.

Thus, from 2018-2019. planned introduction new program support for the low-income population of Russia.

It consists of providing people with a social card to purchase fresh food such as fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and dairy products.

Info

The innovation is designed to support healthy diet population of Russia, provide assistance to low-income citizens.

Important

Accrued funds can only be spent within one month, after which they expire.

To receive a food card, a citizen needs to document his needy status.
The card is issued at the social security authorities at the place of registration.

It is enough for a family to confirm that its income is less than the subsistence level established in the region of residence.

Military pensioners for Russia and its armed forces

A person receives a plastic card to which points are credited monthly (1 point = 1 ruble), which can be spent on food - certain domestically produced products. As a rule, these are perishable products: fresh fruit and vegetables, milk, fish, meat.
The list also included bread, flour, cereals, pasta, sugar, salt, water, eggs, and vegetable oil.

The slogan of the system developers: “Only fresh and domestic.”

Points not spent within a month will expire and you will not be able to accumulate them. Each year, each holder is entitled to about 10 thousand rubles for food cards (money will be credited monthly). Can replenish the card independently - upon enrollment own funds the owner will receive 30-50% of the deposited amount as a bonus from the budget. For comparison: Americans receive $110-130 monthly under the food stamps program.

Social food cards for the poor

To do this, a person needs to calculate his income as follows: Sum up all official income each family member for the previous three months. Salaries, pensions, scholarships, etc. are taken into account. Divide the amount received by three to determine the family’s monthly income - Divide the resulting number by all family members. Children and pensioners are taken into account. In the category of low-income people who will be entitled to food cards include:

• low-income citizens;
• large families;
• single mothers;
• unemployed (persons registered at the labor exchange).

Legal framework The main document regulating the procedure for assigning and issuing food cards is the Document of the Ministry of Industry and Trade “Strategy for the Development of Trade of the Russian Federation for 2014-2016.
and the period until 2020."

When will food cards for the poor be introduced in Russia?

The term “food cards” quickly spread in the media and created a great stir primarily due to negative historical associations: the system itself was first used during the First World War and was subsequently used only in countries at war or countries with serious food shortages (and , as a rule, with a socialist system). In fact we're talking about O Russian analogue food stamps - food cards in the USA for socially disadvantaged segments of the population. Americans have been using this benefit for more than 50 years, and the number of program participants has almost reached 50 million people.

What documents are needed to obtain a food card?

It is known that control over the distribution of cards will be the responsibility of the authorities social security– a low-income citizen should not have a question about where to get a food card, because he is probably familiar with the address of the local social security department.
To apply for a benefit, you will not only have to bring the required papers, but also undergo an interview - a kind of “lice test.”

Anyone who receives a food card in Russia will be required to make every effort to find a job (if there is none) in order to avoid the spread of parasitism.

It is expected that the list of citizens entitled to benefits will be reviewed every 6 months.

A low-income citizen will have to bring documents confirming his preferential status to social security every six months.

News and society

Video on the topic

Existing realities of life

Existing shortcomings

Expert opinions

Results

• improvement of trade.

• single mothers;
• unemployed citizens;

In addition to the introduction in 2017

Grocery cards for the poor 2018: who will be issued and how to get them

News and society

News and society

Cars

Cars

Cars

Business

Business

Cars

Home and family

The older generation remembers very well the time when it was possible to buy something important and necessary in our country only with cards. Now I remember it as pleasant nostalgia. However, it is quite possible that all this will return to our lives. Today this topic is again on the agenda in the cabinets of ministers.

What's the matter?

It is planned that from 2016 food cards for the poor will appear in Russia.

Will the Soviet card system be repeated? No. It will be something different. The previous system, which was introduced to combat shortages, is not relevant today. If you remember, then in Soviet times A person could buy certain categories of goods only with cards. In addition, it was impossible to purchase more of them than the norm established. Today we are not talking about this, but about state support for the poor. It is worth noting that the concept of the project was developed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and has already been submitted to the government for consideration.

How does the poor live?

According to all statistics, more than 15% of the country's population receives less than the subsistence level. In fact, there are many more of them! Need I tell you at length that the diet of low-income families is completely lacking in variety? And very often what is on the table in such families is not healthy. The food of poor people is what is inexpensive and lasts a long time. These are cereals, pasta and potatoes.

New in blogs

Typically, such families rarely see or do not eat fresh vegetables and fruits, fish and meat at all.

How can cards help?

Initially, the idea was this: the state issues a plastic card to the poor, which receives a certain amount every month, or rather, a certain number of points. Using the card, a person will be able to buy food.

Can I buy everything?

No, no and no! The Ministry of Industry and Trade proposes to include only perishable goods in the program, and, importantly, they must be of Russian origin! The list includes fresh vegetables, fruits and berries, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, dairy products and more. After all, this is a healthy food that is rich in everything essential vitamins and microelements. That is, everything that poor people lack so much. In addition, it is planned that such grocery cards will only work at those retail outlets that join the program.

People will know and see those stores where such social cards are accepted. They will definitely be marked with some kind of signs, like “Here you can use food cards.”

Will all low-income people receive such cards?

This is not yet known with complete certainty, but it is planned that the categories of people will be determined federal law. Most likely, these will be large families and some of today's beneficiaries.

What is a food card?

The Ministry of Industry and Trade currently offers two options - get special card or agree with your bank so that the points are credited to the regular one.

Will the amount be infinite?

No. But what exactly it will be is still unknown. Most likely, each region will approve its own. Perhaps several thousand rubles a month.

A co-financing program may also be available. If the person himself puts money on the card, the state will add another 30-50% of this amount. But it’s unlikely that you will be able to accumulate points. You won't be allowed to do this. You will have to spend it monthly.

How effective will this program be?

No one can tell you for sure at this stage. However, back in 2013, food cards began to work in test mode in Kirov. Large families received them there. But it was a slightly different system. There was a thousand rubles on the card. Several dozen manufacturers and stores have joined the program. If a person bought products from the “right” manufacturers in the “right” stores, his expenses were reimbursed the next month. As a result, cardholders spent 7.4% of the money allocated by the budget without any compensation. Some people withdrew money from the card, although there was a huge commission. But still, the majority of owners of plastic wealth used it as they should. But local commodity producers did not notice any special support from such a system.

Reality or talk?

It must be said that they first started talking about food cards a long time ago, back during the crisis of 2008-2099.

However, at that time there was no constructive conversation, and the ministries decided to postpone the issue until worse times. Now they have arrived. And today there is a high probability that social food cards will be introduced. Well, for example, one of the signs of the importance and relevance of the issue can be considered the orders of Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, who instructed the Ministry of Industry and Trade to develop a program. And this is the first step.

Galina Anikeeva sorted it out.

Visitor comments

Anonymous (guest),

It's a good thing. But with our state, only a few will receive it, God willing, those who are truly in need.

News and society

Food cards in Russia: reasons and purposes of introduction

The concept of food assistance in the Russian Federation being developed by the government introduces food cards. The Prime Minister of the Russian Federation said that food cards, as one of the types of support for citizens, have both advantages and disadvantages. The main directions of the proposed program are supporting regional agricultural producers and targeted assistance to the socially vulnerable population of the country.

What is food aid

The program is state support, which is aimed at helping certain segments of the population. Assistance will be provided under the guise of a certain set of food products or an amount of money that can be spent on purchasing these products.

Food cards for Russians will make it possible, through market methods, to provide assistance to Russian agricultural producers. With the support of stable demand for their products, there is an opportunity for further improvement. This is also one of the methods of import substitution.

Russia is preparing for the return of food cards

In April 2015, the Government presented a model of a ration card system. They are intended for those citizens who have the right to subsidies from the state. The Ministry of Industry and Trade believes that food cards will support not only socially vulnerable segments of the population, but also the state, mainly regional agricultural production. The decision to introduce food cards into everyday use was formed based on the experience of world powers, where they have been successfully used for a long time.

Video on the topic

How food cards work

Despite the fact that the introduction of this innovation is expected in 2017, the concept of food cards is already known:

1. A family considered socially vulnerable is issued a bank card.
2. Funds from the budget are credited to it every month.
3. Take off cash It will be impossible, they can only be used to pay in certain stores and for a certain period of time.
4. The introduction of food cards will apply only to products with a short shelf life. This is planned to eliminate accumulation. This includes foods such as meat, poultry, eggs, milk, vegetables and fruits.
5. The exact amount of funds transferred to the card is not yet known. The department believes that the amount will depend on the cost of living established in the region, the level of family income, all social deductions, and the food cost ratio.

Conditions for receiving food cards

In order to receive food cards for the poor, you must complete several steps. You will need to submit an application to the executive branch in your region of residence and collect a package necessary documents, pass an interview. If the answer is positive, the applicant is issued an electronic grocery card, which will receive funds. Or you can connect an existing one by signing an agreement with your bank.

To mitigate the risk of dependency, the unemployed will be required to get a job within a specified time frame.

It is likely that Sberbank of the Russian Federation will participate in the implementation of the designated program. The Food Card program will require, at the most preliminary calculation, 240 billion rubles.

Existing realities of life

There is one very serious obstacle to the implementation of the program - the state does not have financial resources. Of course, the program will be implemented entirely by the state. But since in 2015 the country’s budget was adopted with a deficit of 2,680 million rubles, and as of May 1, 2015, the regions’ debt exceeded two trillion. rub., it is difficult to imagine an easy and quick implementation of the food card program.

Existing shortcomings

Despite the lack of the necessary funds in the federal budget to implement the program, there are several issues that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has not been able to resolve for a long time. Food cards and their implementation imply a clear scheme for choosing producers, which still does not exist. Secondly, there is no clear verification mechanism required quality goods.

Expert opinions

For experts, one main question remains open: what is more important for the state - support for local producers or well-fed low-income citizens?

Borisov A., Chairman of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the Development of the Consumer Market, believes that the introduction of cards will make changes to the system of supporting manufacturers. In this case, agricultural producers will be able to receive financial resources by increasing demand and stimulating it, and not directly.

Vostrikov Dm. (Rusprodsoyuz) approves food cards. He believes this will help local production better than price regulation.

Krupnov Yu., Head of the Supervisory Board of the Institute of Demography and regional development, believes that this program is a gift that can stimulate local agricultural producers and the Russian economy. He believes that Russia is preparing for the return of food cards and that this will solve most of the problems associated with food safety on a national scale. The program, in his words, is a giant food order for agricultural producers.

Mamikonyan M., president of the Meat Union, says that in the world this practice helping the poor represents the strongest support for local producers. But he doubts that in the realities of Russia this support will be insignificant. The President believes that this program is intended for a limited circle of consumers, and the funds allocated monthly will be small; it is unlikely that they will be used to buy meat - a rather expensive product.

Reasons for introducing ration cards

The government assures that this program is in no way related to food shortages. According to them, food cards in Russia and the assistance provided through them will develop for several reasons:

1. The rules for Russia’s accession to the WTO oblige our country to reduce the amount of direct assistance to agricultural producers under the guise of various grants, subsidies, preferential loans, etc. Along with this, WTO rules may allow support for local agronomists through domestic food assistance during the implementation of the Green Box program.
2. Today in the country the number of citizens who are entitled to food cards is increasing: these are those below the poverty line and the poor. Over the past 8 years, their number has grown to 21 million people. These are citizens who need government support.

Stages of introducing food aid

According to preliminary data, the launch of the program will begin in 2017. Today, the amount that will be transferred to the card will be 1,400 rubles. monthly. It is expected that products under the program will be available for purchase on separate counters in retail chains. It is unlikely that social stores will be built separately for this program.

The next stage will begin at the beginning of 2018. It consists of opening social canteens where you can get hot meals by presenting the appropriate card.

What does the implementation of the program entail?

The return of ration cards, according to the government, has only the best intentions.

To support local producers, changes have been made to the trade law. These amendments eliminate any fees from suppliers and reduce settlement times. Today retail chains settlements with small farms may be delayed for up to one and a half months. In other words, big business credited free of charge at the expense of the small. That is, theoretically, entry into retail chains will be open to local small agricultural producers, the stimulation of which is implied by the program for introducing food cards.

Results

The program for introducing food cards implies:

• support for local producers;
• support for the poor;
• improvement of trade.

In 2016, food cards in Russia will be available to:

• the majority of pensioners who are below the poverty line, taking into account the average pension for 2015;
• single mothers;
• unemployed citizens;
• such ethnic groups, like the peoples of the Far North, Tajiks, Roma.

To receive cards, they need to contact the relevant authorities with an application and a package of documents.

In addition to the introduction in 2017

MILITARY PENSIONERS FOR RUSSIA AND ITS ARMED FORCES

food cards, in 2018 it is planned to introduce a program for preferential meals, which will provide the opportunity for low-income people to receive free lunch in a canteen/cafe.

Most experts in this field believe that food cards are the most important and effective project of the Russian Federation. They will provide an opportunity to support not only local production and consumption, but also the consumer market and the economy as a whole. The most important thing now is that this program of assistance to socially vulnerable citizens passes without any violations.

News and society
Mortality in Russia: causes, prerequisites and ways to improve the demographic situation

Mortality in Russia is very acute social problem, which, be that as it may, directly concerns each of us. We have a huge country with a population of many millions, but sad statistics show...

News and society
Demographic problem in Russia: causes and ways to overcome it

As a result of the recent years market reforms and transformational changes have occurred, dramatic changes in the living conditions of the Russian population, which significantly affected the psychological and physical...

Cars
The best-selling cars in Russia. Sales statistics and ratings

In our huge country Almost every third adult has a car. And all kinds of cars drive on the roads. Sedans, station wagons, crossovers, premium and business classes, budget models... There are...

Cars
Diesel: black smoke from the exhaust pipe. What is the reason and how to eliminate it?

Diesel engines are significantly different from gasoline engines. But the problems with them are almost the same as with gasoline units. Having read a lot of automotive forums, you can see a lot of different topics where they discuss…

Cars
Electric cars in Russia: pros and cons

Everything new is well forgotten old. So it would seem modern concept The electric car became known in the middle of the 19th century. Electric cars first appeared in Russia in 1899. They were designed by a famous…

Business
The first agricultural exhibition in Russia was organized and held by whom and when?

The first Russian exhibitions began to be held back in the 19th century. The initiator of their creation was the Ministry of Finance. In 1837, the Ministry of State Property was established, it devoted special attention development...

Business
Binary options in Russia. Development and prospects

Fixed income options were standardized in 2008. Binary options in Russia became known in 2010. In general, the Russian market is quite attractive for brokers. Therefore, the fact that...

Cars
Engine knocking: causes and consequences

Every motorist occasionally hears knocking noises while the engine is running. What causes these sounds and is it possible to determine by ear which part has failed? Common reasons

Radonitsa, celebrated this year on April 21, is a church holiday in Russia, and it falls on the ninth day after Easter. In addition, on this day in Russia they celebrate the recently introduced professional holidays…

Home and family
Glazier Day in Russia - when and how is it celebrated?

November 19 is considered Glass Industry Workers' Day in Russia. This professional holiday noted by all those who are in one way or another connected with the production, processing or installation of glass products. Not…

Food cards are returning to Russia. The Ministry of Industry and Trade plans to introduce them into circulation in 2016 under the guise of a system to support the poor. But this will not be limited to nutrition problems. The agency expects to help domestic producers suffering from falling consumer demand. Low-income Russians will try to restart the stalled economy.

One shot

Food stamps, which in Russia are strongly associated with the Soviet era and shortages, are making a comeback. By September, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will develop a project for introducing food cards. They will become a new tool for supporting the poor. The assistance mechanism should become operational in 2016.

So far, the main parameters of the card system are unknown. It is assumed that it will apply only to perishable goods of Russian origin. Thus, the accumulation of food is excluded: I went to the store, shopped and had dinner with gratitude to the state.

Paper coupons are a thing of the past along with the USSR. People will get regular bank card. Once a month, budget money will be received for it. They can only be spent within a certain time and in those stores that wish to join the program. It will not be possible to cash out funds or put them aside in reserve: after the allotted period, they expire. The amount of support has not yet been announced. But in Kirov region, where the pilot project was launched, it is a thousand rubles per month per person.

There is a second problem that the Ministry of Industry and Trade is trying to solve. Cards will help spur consumption. This means keeping the domestic manufacturer afloat. All this fits perfectly into the import substitution program, for which the Ministry of Industry and Trade is responsible. Thus, the department is trying to sit on two chairs: both to help the poor and not to leave producers offended.

Conversations for the poor

The population is really getting poorer. According to the latest Rosstat, real wages (adjusted for inflation) of Russians in April decreased by 13.2 percent compared to April 2014. In nominal terms, their average size increased by only one percent, to 32 thousand 805 rubles. For comparison: in April last year, real payments rose by 3.2 percent, nominal - by 10.8.

Over the past month and a half, inflation has been increasing by 0.1 percent per week. The rise in prices was stopped, but at the cost of reducing the standard of living of the population. With incomes that are rapidly disappearing, citizens can purchase fewer and fewer goods. Consumer activity is falling, and so is the entire economy. After all, consumption was one of the main drivers for its growth.