Domestic Trade and Food Supply Minister Khaled Hanafy has announced a committee his ministry, along with the planning and petroleum ministries, will form in order to set up a system for distributing butane gas cylinders through the use of ration cards.
A share of the cylinders, allocated for household purposes, will be distributed to every citizen through the ration cards, he said, adding that there will be cards for those who haven't received them yet.
During a meeting with several officials on Wednesday, Hanafy said the new system will soon be applied in Port Said, before being generalized nationwide. He added that the system aims to end the butane gas cylinder shortage and prevent black market cylinder trading at higher prices.
According to the minister, the database of customers is being updated based on records from several authorities in order for the subsidy on goods to reach those who deserve it. He stressed that no citizens with high salaries or pensions will be removed from ration cards.
Heads of companies carrying out the smart card system said during the meeting that all the paper-backed ration cards are being turned to smart ones and will be completed soon.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
