Public finance should give preference to projects concerning
public lives, says a signed article in Beijing Youth
Daily. An excerpt follows:
Central China's Hunan Province issued a circular on enhancing
care for vagrants earlier this month. The city government of
Xiangtan in the province soon followed by requiring the government
to provide medical treatment for vagrants.
The document assigned hospitals and clarified treatment
standards and funding channels. The local government will pay for
the specified treatments for those who qualify.
The financial resources of Xiangtan are not among the top in
Hunan, an inland province with a moderate level of economic
development. But the city gives sympathy and care to those who need
help most.
There are many similar reports in the new year. For example,
east China's Zhejiang Province decided to put two-thirds of new
revenue into public causes, and Shanghai municipal government put
forward the principle of prioritizing investment into undertakings
which help improve people's lives. All these actions show that the
people-oriented concept of administration is filtering into
government planning. It is definitely good news for the
disadvantaged.
We noticed that public input on social welfare, public health,
education and employment are on the rise in this year's budgets.
The government has given more attention to the
poverty-stricken.
Public finance is vital to bridge the gap between rich and poor
and mitigate social contradictions. It is necessary for public
finance to give preference to the poor.
Of course we cannot only depend on public funds to solve all
social problems. Thoughtful policies and supporting mechanisms, the
poor's self-development as well as support from social
organizations will all contribute to the construction of a
harmonious society.
(China Daily February 12, 2007)