What a difference a year makes. One year ago, Premier Wen Jiabao proposed in his government work report that a rural minimum living allowance be established where feasible.

In Monday's report, Wen said that all rural areas would be covered this year.

In fact, this rural social security measure was started on a trial basis in 1995. By the end of last year, more than 15 million rural villagers were covered by the minimum living allowance system in 25 provinces and autonomous regions.

Last year alone, more than 6 million villagers were included in the system, an increase of 82 percent over the previous year.

This is an important part of the mechanism to redistribute social wealth and a preliminary solution to the issue of social justice. The destitute at the very bottom of the social stratum will be able to taste the fruit of economic reform and opening-up.

A total of 4.16 billion yuan (US$540 million) was distributed nationwide in 2006. If all rural villagers in need of such relief are covered in the next couple of years, the expenditure will be as high as 20 billion yuan (US$2.6 billion) nationally.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs together with other departments will map out policies and financing plans to earmark special funds for the program.

Once the policy is in effect, it will become imperative for local governments to bring the system into reality to distribute the allocated money to those in need.

With reference to the national poverty line of 683 yuan (US$88) a year income, the minimum living allowance for rural residents will be slightly higher. Even so, the money will only help the poorest of the rural poor make ends meet.

It is important to have strict rules in place to make sure the money reaches those in need.

We need to make sure the funds are not diverted to other uses.

(China Daily March 8, 2007)