Another carb-heavy night on the airwaves: The nation’s talking heads didn’t shift their attention from bread prices, following the Madbouly government’s decision to slash bread subsidies, hiking the price of subsidized bread by 300%.

Don’t point the finger at the IMF: The IMF had nothing to do with the government’s decision to cut down bread subsidies, Supply Minister Ali El Moselhy told Kelma Akhira’s Lamees El Hadidi (watch, runtime: 1:03:08), adding that there was a proposal to cut down on the daily bread allocation for citizens but the government rejected it. The decision aims to help the state reduce its budget deficit before the start of the new fiscal year.

No more hikes … unless. There won’t be further price hikes to subsidized bread, unless we see major price fluctuations, El Moselhy assured.

Pricier bread also means less waste: “Some 25-30% of the EGP 125 bn allocations for bread subsidies goes to waste,” House Planning and Budget Committee head Fakhri El Fiqi told Ala Masouleety’s Ahmed Moussa (watch, runtime: 4:01 | 4:03 | 3:25). “Around EGP 35 bn of the allocations go to undeserving beneficiaries,” he added.

Change is coming: The Supply Ministry will soon roll out prepaid cards for non-ration card holders, who will be able to purchase bread at EGP 1.25 a loaf.

The government cares about the public response: “We are monitoring the public opinion on [bread price hike]. We understand concerns about shifting from in-kind to cash subsidies,” cabinet spokesperson Mohamed El Homsani spoke to El Hekaya’s Amr Adib (watch, runtime: 46:45).

FACT CHECK- You’re not getting less bread on your ration cards: The cabinetdenied rumors about reducing ration card holders’ monthly bread allocation.

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