A low-income subsidy program was supposed to have been implemented across China for years now, but many of the urban poor have never heard of it.
That could have something to do with the fact that the subsidy is not allotted according to real poverty levels, but based on quotas from the upper echelon of the regime, and is distributed to a favored few, according to recent editorial in Southern Metropolis Daily.
The editorial, titled “Steady rise of the urban poor emphasizes the government’s responsibility,” said that although the rise of the urban poor could be attributed to inflation, lack of social welfare programs, rise in housing costs, unemployment, and a growing gap between the rich and the poor, the fundamental reason is, however, the failure of the low-income subsidy program.
It said that instead of allotting subsidies according to the actual number of those living below the poverty line, the government is distributing the subsidy based on quotas set by the high-level officials and their relatives. As a result, more than half of the urban poor receive no subsidy.
Xinhua, the official mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party, also reported in April that during the meetings of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, some representatives argued that the poverty line was set artificially low.
Using the internationally recognized poverty line standard of US$1.25 per person per day, at least 150 million urban residents are estimated to be living in poverty. http://news.cn0917.com/2011/0418/44059.html
Interviews conducted by The Epoch Times in many Chinese towns reveal that only relatives and friends of local government officials ever obtain low-income subsidies.
Chen Qinglong from Shuangrentun in Luorong Township, Liuzhou City, Guangxi Province said that his parents were unable to work due to poor health. Two or three years ago, they received over 200 yuan just once, but nothing else since then.
He said that the low-income subsidy program only exists in paper in his area. “Initially our family was designated as a low-income family. However, the subsidy was stopped. I don’t know why. They said we were no longer considered a low-income family.”
He said when the village government finished acquiring land, they canceled the low-income subsidy program. “Even when it was in operation, only two or three families in my area were receiving it. Now even farming subsidies have been stopped. The standard farming subsidy is supposed to be more than 100 yuan per month. But we only receive about 60 yuan.”
Zhu, a farmer from Honglianxin Village, Zhuji City, Zhejiang Province, said that there were only five or six designated low-income families in his area. The monthly subsidy is 180 yuan per person.
“Those who receive the subsidy are indeed poor. However, there are many more equally poor and even poorer who do not receive any subsidy. The criterion to receive subsidy seems to be having contacts in the local government office,” said Zhu.
Zhou from Peicheng Township, Pei County, Jiangsu Province said that the low-income subsidy is only 70 yuan per month in his area.
He believes that a part of the money was embezzled by the county and township government. “Earlier, only the county administrator used to have a government car. Now even a division chief has a government car. The level of corruption here is very high. The officials eat, drink, gamble, and visit prostitutes. If the government officials were less extravagant, we might have been given more low-income subsidies.”
Ms. Wang from Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, said that only those with close relatives in the government could receive subsidies. “The government gives out very few low-income subsidies in my area. They give it at will, depending on their mood. There is no guarantee – it’s whenever they feel like it. Some people used to receive low-income subsidy before. However, because they protested when their houses were taken and demolished by the government, their subsidy was stopped.”
Read the original Chinese article.
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