What a difference a year makes. One year ago, Premier Wen Jiabao
proposed in his government work report that a rural minimum living
allowance be established where feasible.
In Monday's report, Wen said that all rural areas would be
covered this year.
In fact, this rural social security measure was started on a
trial basis in 1995. By the end of last year, more than 15 million
rural villagers were covered by the minimum living allowance system
in 25 provinces and autonomous regions.
Last year alone, more than 6 million villagers were included in
the system, an increase of 82 percent over the previous year.
This is an important part of the mechanism to redistribute
social wealth and a preliminary solution to the issue of social
justice. The destitute at the very bottom of the social stratum
will be able to taste the fruit of economic reform and
opening-up.
A total of 4.16 billion yuan (US$540 million) was distributed
nationwide in 2006. If all rural villagers in need of such relief
are covered in the next couple of years, the expenditure will be as
high as 20 billion yuan (US$2.6 billion) nationally.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs together with other departments
will map out policies and financing plans to earmark special funds
for the program.
Once the policy is in effect, it will become imperative for
local governments to bring the system into reality to distribute
the allocated money to those in need.
With reference to the national poverty line of 683 yuan (US$88)
a year income, the minimum living allowance for rural residents
will be slightly higher. Even so, the money will only help the
poorest of the rural poor make ends meet.
It is important to have strict rules in place to make sure the
money reaches those in need.
We need to make sure the funds are not diverted to other
uses.
(China Daily March 8, 2007)