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Billions spent on improving daily life in Chongqing
Updated: 2017-02-14
By Sun Hui, chinadaily.com.cn
In 2016, Chongqing continued its campaign to improve people’s living conditions with a massive investment of 216 billion yuan ($31.38 billion).
This amount accounted for over 50 percent of general public budget expenditure, according to a report issued by Chongqing finance bureau on Feb 3.
The Chongqing government’s investment will benefit people in six major aspects: practical public works, public education, special group caring, medical security, housing conditions and the basic pension.
20 billion yuan for practical projects
According to the city’s finance bureau, Chongqing invested 20 billion yuan in implementing 25 projects for improving the lives of local residents last year.
Five practical projects covering urban and rural areas hit their targets, including renovating 400,000 dilapidated houses for rural households and controlling pollution in 56 lakes and reservoirs across Chongqing’s main urban districts.
19.81 billion yuan for public education
Public education was a big part of Chongqing government’s efforts in 2016. The investment covered education from preschool to tertiary levels and also supported policies to help poor students to finish their education. Improvements were also made to teachers’ living standards in rural areas and students’ nutrition.
10.34 billion yuan for special group caring
Households enjoying the minimum living guarantee received a higher social security subsidy, which increased to 460 yuan per month for urban residents and 300 yuan for rural residents. Amounts for households enjoying five guarantees (summarizing the State guarantee on proper food, clothing, medical care, housing and funeral expenses for residents) increased to 600 yuan ($88) per month per person.
17.02 billion yuan for healthcare
Chongqing allotted 11.5 billion yuan to basic medical insurance programs for rural residents and the urban unemployed, increasing monthly government subsidies from 380 yuan to 420 yuan per person.
The government’s input in medical insurance also covered three other aspects: an extra 1.6 billion yuan for for public health services, 330 million yuan to cover subsidies for public hospitals in 38 districts and counties, and 3.59 billion yuan to improve healthcare clinics in villages.
6.05 billion yuan for basic pension
The basic pension for retirees rose again with increased funds of 6.05 billion yuan. Adjustments to retirees’ basic pension will now be synchronized for companies and public institutions.
5.64 billion yuan for housing
Chongqing government invested 780 million yuan to renovate 75,500 dilapidated rural houses, 2.26 billion yuan to rebuild shanty areas in the downtown and 2.6 billion yuan to construct public rental housing.
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