NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1165
Liu Zhizhong knows that there aren't many Minority Autonomous Counties nationwide. Given the country's minority policy, the poverty subsidies for these counties are substantial, including basic living allowances and special hardship funds, which are fully provided each year.
Every year, the various levels of national finance provide Shanan County with poverty subsidies totaling in the billions. Frankly speaking, for such a large country, this amount of money isn't much.
But how much of it actually reaches the pockets of the subsidized population? According to Liu Zhizhong's research, at most fifty percent, and as little as twenty to thirty percent.
How much is withheld by the county or township level? Anyone familiar with the situation should understand.
Because the autonomous county has significant autonomy, many rules and regulations have been established. If some minority people are disobedient, they face various penalties, including the deduction or non-issuance of subsidies. Sometimes, a village chief or village party secretary can decide how much to deduct or fine—essentially, it's up to them.
After several days, Liu Zhizhong had a real headache. The corruption, bureaucracy, laziness, and mismanagement at the county and township levels are one thing, but being so excessive in embezzling funds meant for the poor is truly outrageous.
The assistance that the common people should receive is based on national policy. It's not for any level of government or any group to deduct at will, right?
Moreover, in a more remote town, they forcibly included part of some minority people's national subsidies into the full-payment medical insurance. Astonishingly, they were commended with a reward for being an advanced unit for medical insurance contributions because of this move.
Regarding this situation, Hamuer felt deeply. That night while camping, he remarked with strong emotion:
"County Magistrate Liu, what Miduo Town is doing with forcibly deducting for full-payment medical insurance is truly outrageous, and lacks any sense of humanity. As for medical insurance, who actually benefits from it? I suppose most people understand, right? When they urge the common people to pay, it's like life or death, but when you actually need to use it, haha, the life-saving or effective medications are self-paid, while the reimbursed ones are trivial or non-lethal drugs, haha..."
Liu Zhizhong chuckled in silence, merely nodding in agreement.
Hamuer continued, "This kind of reminds people, when they urge you to donate blood, they make it sound so good. But try actually using blood under the conditions they described, and see how difficult it is. Only those who have donated and used blood understand the depth of the intricacies here! Alas..."
Liu Zhizhong laughed silently again, nodded, and, while smoking, said, "Maybe, anything that is crazily encouraged by the authorities to do probably offers no benefit to you, isn't this a sort of truth?"
"County Magistrate Liu, you've hit the nail on the head! Like the real estate market, right?"
"Hehe... Let's not talk about these things now. We are in Shanan County, a poor, backward place entrenched in its ailments; it's more important to focus on the work at hand."
Hamuer was a bit stunned, took a few deep breaths, and then said, "County Magistrate Liu, during these days of visits, I feel you're not here for a mountain camping vacation. Nor, as rumors say, are you without political ambitions. It seems like you're trying to get something done!"
Liu Zhizhong smiled but said nothing, pouring out two cups of sweet potato wine bought from a local town, fragrant and pleasant.
Honestly, the white liquor distilled from sweet potatoes grown by minorities tastes quite crisp and strong, with a very pure and authentic flavor.