CAIRO: The Ministry of Social Solidarity started Thursday distributing the new electronic ration cards to families with an income less than LE 1,000 and those with a pension less than LE 750. The distribution of the cards, which was announced last week, was pending finalizing some details with the Ministry of Administrative Development. The distribution process is expected to take place throughout the month of July. During this month, both ministries will also study citizens' reaction to the new electronic system, the pros and the cons, and how it can be further developed before it is applied throughout the country, explained a Ministry of Social Solidarity official who preferred to remain anonymous because he's not authorized to speak to the media. Last week, when the ministry made the announcement of the launch of the program, the official said they were expecting challenges in the beginning, especially that citizens may not be that familiar with an electronic system. Even though the new electronic system is supposed to make procedures easier, not everyone is excited about them. According to the official, the first day of the distribution saw a high turnout and the process went smoothly, with employees taking the time to explain the system to the recipients. “Everything new in the country has to have a rough start. It may be much easier later on but the beginning is always difficult and may even be frustrating as the civil servants and citizens get familiar with this new system and how it operates,” said Morsi Abdel Hamid, a former postman who receives a pension less than LE 750.
