From February 1st, the execution of payments for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products through a social card, as well as the acceptance of such payments for these products by business entities, will be prohibited. This is determined in the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted on December 27, 2024, on “Measures for introducing the “social card” system in supporting the population socially”.
According to the decision, starting from January 1, 2025, when new social payments are made through a social card, the recipient's previously appointed other social payments will also be made through a social card.
Starting from February 1, 2025:
- funds for purchasing technical means of rehabilitation, the amount of which does not exceed thirty percent of the basic calculation amount (hereinafter referred to as — BCA), according to the approved list, will be transferred to the social card of individuals in need of these means;
- the execution of payments for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products through a social card, as well as the acceptance of such payments for these products by business entities, will be prohibited for members of families receiving social payments, members of families included in the Registry of Poor Families, and members of families recognized as low-income during the last 12 months through the “Single Registry of Social Protection” information system (excluding pensions) (hereinafter referred to as — social payment);
Starting from April 1, 2025, the social card will also serve as a transport card, including for public transport, in accordance with tariff plans along city routes defined in legislative documents.
In this regard, the functions of the social card as a transport card and a privileged transport card will be implemented through integration with the “Automated payment system operator” LLC.
