Official data reveals that the government is providing a daily subsidy of approximately one million dinars to support the provision of essential items such as food, construction materials, milk, and children’s nutrients. According to figures from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the monthly expenditure on these items from January to October 2023 amounted to around 315 million dinars, indicating a 21% increase compared to the same period in 2022 (Al-Anba daily).
Breaking down the expenditures, it is evident that 38% of the allocated funds, equivalent to 119 million dinars, were dedicated to supporting food supplies. On average, the daily spending for this category amounted to approximately 392 thousand dinars. Notably, the highest monthly spending occurred in July, reaching approximately 14.9 million dinars. This was followed by January with 14.24 million dinars, May with 13.9 million dinars, and September with 13.5 million dinars.
Milk and child nutrition support accounted for approximately 3.5% of the overall supply support, totaling 11.2 million dinars during the first 10 months of 2023. The average daily spending in this category was around 37 thousand dinars. The highest spending month for these materials was January at 1.8 million dinars, followed by July at 1.37 million dinars, and September at 1.29 million dinars.
Support for construction materials constituted a significant portion of the total spending on food supply support, amounting to 58.6% or 184.54 million dinars. The average daily spending for this category was approximately 607 thousand dinars. April recorded the highest spending at 28.3 million dinars, followed by January with 24 million dinars, and October with 22.5 million dinars.
As for the number of beneficiaries with ration cards, it stood at around 2.141 million by the end of October 2023. This marked a decrease of 71 thousand compared to December 2022 and an annual decline of 52 thousand compared to October 2022. Ration card transactions during the first 10 months of the year amounted to approximately 275.5 thousand, with additional transactions accounting for 83% of the total, deletions making up 15%, and update transactions totaling 5,763.
The number of ration cards increased by about 6,590 during the initial 10 months of 2023, reaching a total of 261,197 at the end of October. This represented an increase of 8,050 ration cards compared to the 253,147 recorded by the end of October 2022.
These figures provide valuable insights into the government’s efforts to support its citizens by ensuring the availability of essential supplies. The allocation of subsidies for food, construction materials, milk, and children’s nutrients demonstrates a commitment to addressing the needs of the population. The increase in expenditure compared to the previous year reflects the government’s dedication to enhancing the welfare of its citizens.
It is worth noting that the distribution of subsidies across different months highlights the varying demands and priorities throughout the year. For instance, the higher spending in July could be attributed to seasonal factors or specific events. Similarly, the fluctuations in the number of beneficiaries and ration cards indicate changes in eligibility or economic conditions.
Overall, these statistics shed light on the significant role played by government subsidies in ensuring the availability of essential supplies to the population. The data not only provides an overview of the expenditures but also offers insights into the trends and patterns of support. By analyzing these figures, policymakers can make informed decisions to further enhance the effectiveness and impact of these subsidies.
Source: TimesKuwait
