The massive earthquake left nearly 88,000 people dead or missing, 375,000 injured, over five million homeless. -- PHOTO:
SHANGHAI - THE earthquake-hit southwestern city of Chengdu will give its poorest people shopping vouchers to boost consumption during the Chinese new year holiday, state media reported on Friday.
The municipal government will give each member of the city's 379,100 low-income population vouchers worth 100 yuan (S$21.70), which can be spent at select stores, the People's Daily website reported.
The coupons can be used throughout next month, when the country celebrates the Lunar New Year holiday, or Spring Festival, the report said, citing Chen Xiangjun, deputy director of the city's civil affairs bureau.
The Chinese government has become increasingly worried about social unrest as the country's underprivileged suffer layoffs due to the economic slowdown.
Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, was devastated by a massive earthquake on May 12 that left nearly 88,000 people dead or missing, 375,000 injured, over five million homeless.
China celebrates the Lunar New Year holiday from January 25 to 31. -- AFP
