China News Agency, Beijing, January 12 (Reporter Wang Enbo) Zhou Banxue, deputy director of the Price Department of the National Development and Reform Commission of China, revealed in Beijing on the 12th that since 2020, a total of about 37.5 billion yuan in price subsidies (RMB, the same below) have been issued across China. , benefiting 730 million people in need; of which, in 2022, about 6.5 billion yuan in price subsidies will be issued, benefiting about 200 million people in need, which has played a positive role in alleviating the impact of rising prices and ensuring the basic livelihood of people in need.
Zhou Banxue said at a press conference held by the National Development and Reform Commission that in recent years, the National Development and Reform Commission and relevant departments have repeatedly improved the price subsidy linkage mechanism, resolutely keeping the bottom line of people's livelihood.
On the basis of 7 groups of urban and rural subsistence allowances, extremely poor people, and people receiving unemployment insurance benefits, people receiving unemployment benefits and marginal population living on subsistence allowances will be included in the scope of the price subsidy linkage mechanism in stages. Currently, a total of about 6,700 poor people are covered. million people.
In some areas, the scope of protection has been further expanded in light of local actual conditions.
While the scope of protection continues to expand, the conditions for starting the price subsidy linkage mechanism are also continuously optimized.
The official will gradually reduce the monthly year-on-year increase of the consumer price index (CPI) in the starting condition from 3.5% to 3%.
At present, if any one of the conditions of CPI single-month year-on-year increase of 3% or CPI food price increase of 6% year-on-year is met, the price subsidy linkage mechanism will be activated.
In some areas, combined with local actual conditions, the start-up conditions have been further reduced.
Zhou Banxue also said that the subsidy standard has been steadily improved.
The price subsidy distribution standard is linked to the urban and rural minimum living standard, and all localities will increase the subsidy standard in a timely manner according to the adjustment of the urban and rural minimum living standard and the rising prices.
Some areas have issued one-time subsidies based on local actual conditions.
The time limit for the payment of price subsidies has been shortened from the earlier "calculated on a monthly basis and paid on a quarterly basis" to the current "calculated on a monthly basis and paid out in the current month".
In terms of funding guarantee, Zhou Banxue introduced that the current price subsidy linkage mechanism in various places has clarified the source of price subsidy funds.
At the same time, the central government provides appropriate support for the assistance and preferential treatment of the needy people in various places every year.
Through strong financial guarantees, it is possible to ensure that price subsidies are paid in full.
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