Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad presented to the Parliament of the Islamic Republic the preliminary draft of a new annual budget (the new year in Iran starts on March 21), Mehr news agency reported.
The new budget totals $539 billion, which is 46 percent more than last year. The government's policy to reduce subsidies contributed to the increase in budget revenues.
The subsidy cuts plan -- encompassing key consumer goods such as gasoline, natural gas, and food -- is said to be one of the most important undertakings in Iran's recent economic history.
Every family member receives USD $80 in cash subsidies for a two-month period.
Officials say energy subsidies have cost the Iranian government around 100 billion dollars a year.
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