Six departments of China's State Council are to make "secret inspections" to ensure local authorities are implementing policies to ease the financial burden of farmers.
According to Friday's People's Daily newspaper, the inspection groups, jointly dispatched by the Ministry of Agriculture, State Council Office for Rectifying Malpractice, Ministry of Finance, National Development and Reform Commission, Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council and Ministry of Education, will mainly target the provinces of Anhui, Sichuan and Jiangsu and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Officials will investigate whether grain subsidies are properly distributed to farmers; if local governments force farmers to raise funds for building roads and schools; if unnecessary fees are collected for rural compulsory education, agricultural water and electricity use; if housing, land use and family planning policies are properly administered and if complaints about the economic burden of farmers are being properly handled.
If problems are spotted, inspection groups will ask the local government to rectify its wrongdoing. If cases are serious, the responsible persons will be disciplined,
The Chinese government has vowed to build a harmonious society and is committed to reducing the economic burden of farmers and improving their lives.
