Governmental officials in north China's Shanxi Province now get a chance to become
millionaires - not by following the old fashion way of taking
bribes but through a new legal way of improving the local
environment.
The provincial government recently decided to launch a new
monetary incentive program which can be as high as 2 million yuan
(US$258,000) to enhance the environment of one of China's
most-polluted provinces.
File photo: Linfen of
Shanxi Province was listed the dirtiest city in the country from
2003 to 2005.
According to a report by Shanxi Evening News on May 13, the city
heads will be awarded 1 million yuan (US$129,000) if they can exit
the top five of China's most polluted cities. If the city's air
quality could move ahead 10 spots in the national ranking system,
the city heads will be awarded 2 million yuan.
The awards are directed to individuals including the city and
county governmental heads, environmental protection bureau officers
and other relative officials. The money will be paid by the
provincial financial department.
The news caused heated discussion after a number of internet
portals and printed media covered the story. Views vary greatly
about the necessity and effectiveness of the policy in improving
the environment.
Governor: it's no easy job
Many netizens made their point that it is the officials' natural
task to improve the environment, and there is no reason to give big
bonus for just doing your job well.
When Shanxi Provincial Governor Yu Youjun was asked the
question, he said the environmental protection in the province is a
very taxing and formidable job. Heavy awards to local officials is
just one effort to improve the environment.
Yu noted that the policy has been working well so far, and local
officials are being very active in punishing pollution.
"A lot of local governmental heads are now leading working teams
to take down chimneys and close factories. It's not an easy job,"
said Yu, "It's easier for me to just issue the order, but they will
face tremendous difficulties in the execution. Some may even face
life threats, and I know some have been beaten while they were
working, so I think heavy awards are necessary."
'Environment is of most concern now'
Zhang Yuanyuan, a 5-year-old girl from Linfen of Shanxi Province
has long wanted a white dress, but her wish was usually denied by
her mother - not because the family cannot afford it, but white
clothes could easily get dirty in the city.
So when Zhang finally succeeded in convincing her mom to buy her
a white dress on May 12, she found herself the only person in white
outfit when she was walking with her mom in the local park.
However, by the time she got home, the white dress had already
turned gray because of the dust in the air.
"In Linfen, we usually don't wear light-colored clothes when we
go out," said Wei Aiguo, who has been living in the town for more
than 60 years. He also said he hasn't bought any white clothing for
more than 10 years. "There are a lot of dark dusts and powders in
the air."
Linfen is known for its coal production, but was also listed the
dirtiest city in the country from 2003 to 2005. Shanxi Province had
13 of the 30 most polluted cities in China in 2006.
"If only they can improve the environment in Linfen, it doesn't
matter if the officials are awarded 2 million or 20 million," said
Wei, "People's wallets are getting fat, so environment is of most
concern now."
"Heavy award to governmental officials is an unconventional way
to improve environment," said Prof. Mao Shoulong from Renmin
University of China, "Pollution is such an imminent and serious
problem in Shanxi Province that it's worth a try of an unusual
method to tackle the problem."
"The heavy awards are symbolic," said Mao, "It manifests the
resolution and confidence of the provincial heads in solving the
problem. Anyway, this should not be practiced on a regular
basis."
'Just finish the job!'
"I am firmly against giving heavy awards to officials," said Hua
Xiaochen, director of Public Official System Research Center of the
Ministry of Personnel.
"First of all, heavy awards have no legal ground. Finishing the
job is the responsibility for officials. Heavy awards are from
government funds, and should get a 'yes' from taxpayers. Meanwhile,
this is against the officials' tenet of serving the people
wholeheartedly," said Hua.
"Isn't improving environment the natural responsibility for
environmental protection departments? It's just like educators
should teach the students well. It's natural for you to just finish
your own job," Liu Zhigang, a middle school teacher from Beijing,
said.
He was befuddled about the decision to give heavy awards to
officials. "Even if they have done a good job, more than one
million is too much to give out!"
"There are two possible causes if some counties and cities could
attain the requirements to get an award within a short time: either
the previous government heads failed to do the job well, or there
are some frauds made by the current officials," said Zhang You, a
college student from Peking University.
(China Daily May 22, 2007)
