(December 23, 1960)


Distributed to all comrades for study and discussion: Is it appropriate?
Mao Zedong
December 23, 1960


Sichuan


This note was written on a report dated December 12, 1960, submitted by Tan Zhenlin, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, to Mao Zedong and the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. In his report, Tan Zhenlin stated that this year’s total grain output was estimated at 370 billion jin, or slightly more; the amount actually stored in granaries was estimated at between 320 and 330 billion jin. Complete statistical compilation would not be finished until the end of January next year. Owing to insufficient prior awareness, grain consumption quotas had not yet been fully implemented by late October, leading to a serious pattern of initial laxity followed by tightening. As a result, rural residents were receiving very low daily food rations, while urban rationing standards and export volumes could no longer be further reduced. In light of this situation, current rural work, in addition to earnestly carrying out rectification campaigns within communes, should first and foremost focus on accelerating grain storage; second, on promptly arranging people’s livelihoods and running communal canteens properly; and third, on conscientiously reducing food intake over the next three months so as to prevent any food shortages or disturbances in the spring of next year. Based on this year’s experience, next year must adopt a policy of strict control at the outset followed by gradual relaxation: from the very beginning of the summer harvest, grain should be weighed and stored promptly, and its use planned carefully, with low rationing standards, reliance on vegetables and fruits as substitutes, increased consumption during peak farming seasons, and reduced consumption during slack periods. Striving for a bumper harvest next year is of paramount importance, and it is entirely feasible to achieve a higher yield than this year. Rural food rations must be kept at one jin per person per day, while urban rationed sales should be set at 4.2 billion jin per month. This plan allows for some leeway. When issuing the directive for distribution, Mao Zedong titled Tan Zhenlin’s report “The Grain Situation and the Grain Allocation Plan.”
[2]
Refers to the comrades attending the upcoming CPC Central Committee Work Conference to be held in Beijing.