The second phase of the Kramer purge will remove 40 mn people from the supply smart card subsidies system, bringing the total number of supply subsidies beneficiaries to 30 mn, unnamed Supply Ministry officials tell Al Shorouk. This is by far the largest estimate we have heard of the number of people due to be cut from welfare rolls. Most of those purged, according to previous cabinet statements, are double-dipping, dead, living abroad or not qualified to receive social assistance. The initial phase of the cuts, which is currently ongoing, should cut 14 mn people from the system, according to statements attributed to Supply Minister Mohamed Ali El Sheikh. The purge will take place over three phases, said the sources.

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