As the annual sessions of the National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference are convened, deputies to the National People's Congress and members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference have been actively making proposals and participating in political deliberations. As in previous years, "improving people's livelihood" remains a hot topic at the sessions, with phrases such as "controlling prices" and "medical reform" frequently mentioned, drawing keen attention from all sectors of society.
"The low-income group is a vulnerable group in our society that cannot be ignored, and ensuring their basic living standards is an important issue in improving people's livelihood," said Zhang Jindong, national committee member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, vice chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and chairman of Suning Appliances, to reporters. "In the current situation of relatively high inflationary pressure, I propose that the state distribute 'consumption subsidy vouchers' to ensure the basic needs of low-income groups for daily necessities, thereby forming a 'complementary relationship' with other social security measures and enhancing the sense of security and harmony in society."
Increase consumption subsidies to ensure shared development achievements
Zhang Jindong pointed out that in recent years, China has achieved tremendous accomplishments in various fields, and social development has reached a new level. However, behind the prosperity and development, there are still areas that cannot be overlooked: the imbalance in economic and social development has led to differences in people's living standards, and low-income groups often face difficult living conditions, and even survival itself can become a problem. Especially under the current situation of persistently high inflation, all sectors of society should be concerned about low-income groups to ensure that they can share the fruits of development together with the rest of society.
It is understood that currently, there are nearly 100 million low-income people in urban and rural areas in China, including those receiving minimum living allowances in cities, rural areas, and the five-guarantee beneficiaries, preferential treatment recipients, and unemployed urban residents. In 2011, China set the per capita net income of farmers at 2300 yuan as the new national poverty alleviation standard, which was a 92% increase over the previous standard. According to this new standard, the number of people targeted for poverty alleviation has increased significantly, highlighting the urgency of current poverty alleviation work. It also shows the determination of the Chinese government to increase efforts in poverty alleviation and improve the living standards of low-income groups under the new era and context.
Zhang Jindong told reporters that to support low-income groups and ensure shared development achievements, it is first necessary to solve the basic survival problems of low-income groups. "Consumption subsidies" can ensure the basic living needs of low-income groups, and appropriately increasing the subsidy amount can further enhance its protective function, forming a new channel for social security and actively safeguarding people's livelihood.
Learn from subsidy policy experiences and distribute "consumption subsidy vouchers"
In recent years, various forms of subsidy policies have not been uncommon. Zhang Jindong believes that we can draw on the mature experiences gained during the implementation of subsidy policies such as "Appliances to the Countryside" and "Trade-in for New", and distribute "consumption subsidy vouchers" to low-income groups. He suggested that the beneficiaries of the "consumption subsidy vouchers" should include preferential treatment recipients, urban and rural minimum living allowance recipients, five-guarantee beneficiaries, and unemployed urban residents. Resident committees or village committees would conduct field investigations, submit approval materials to sub-district offices or township governments for calculation, and finally be approved by county (district) level governments to ensure proper verification. The "consumption subsidy vouchers" can only be used for designated purchases at specific merchants for food, clothing, appliances, and other basic necessities.
Zhang Jindong emphasized that the government should publicly tender and fairly and justly select the most reputable and capable merchants to carry out this policy-related commercial service, ensuring reasonable prices, quality services, and guaranteeing product quality, especially electrical goods. Based on the life needs of low-income families, the most cost-effective and suitable electrical appliances can be purchased to improve cost-effectiveness and practicality. Merchants need to settle accounts with local finance departments every quarter using the "consumption subsidy vouchers". At the same time, both the "consumption subsidy vouchers" and personal identification documents must be presented for effective consumption, and merchants should retain copies of ID cards for verification by the finance department during settlement. Zhang Jindong told reporters: "During the implementation of the policy, reselling of 'consumption subsidy vouchers' must be strictly cracked down on to absolutely prevent them from becoming a means of profit for some individuals. We must protect national interests and truly allow low-income groups to enjoy the benefits of the subsidy policy."
Happy people's livelihood project to promote social harmony
What benefits can issuing "consumption subsidy vouchers" to low-income groups bring? Zhang Jindong explained to reporters that issuing "consumption subsidy vouchers" can first improve the living conditions of low-income groups, stimulate domestic demand, and generate new consumer power. From the perspective of consumption structure, these funds entering the market can promote the production and sales of food, clothing, appliances, and other commodities, thereby supporting the development of related industries to a certain extent and stimulating economic growth.
"In 2011, China's fiscal revenue exceeded 10 trillion yuan, and the government has the financial foundation to bear the costs of the consumption subsidy policy. Moreover, this policy directly concerns 100 million of the most vulnerable groups in society who need help the most, making it the most socially significant people's livelihood project and the most happiness-inducing public sentiment project, with significant social impact and political significance," Zhang Jindong told reporters. Share to: Weibo recommendation | Sina Technology Official Weibo