New audits of officials to eye data on environment
Updated: 2015-09-18 07:40
By Zheng Jinran(China Daily)
|
|||||||||
Leading government officials will be audited on their performance on environmental protection based on an evaluation of natural resources records, a practice expected to expand nationwide by 2018.
The audit results will be a major criterion for official performance, and those found accountable for environmental pollution will face harsh punishments even beyond their terms, as China focuses more on eco-civilization.
The pilot audit project, launched this year, will focus on leading officials who are about to leave office. It will audit changes in natural resources such as land, water, and forest within the officials' administrative zones during their terms, and will analyze the reasons for any change, said Chen Chenzhao, deputy auditor general of the National Audit Office, on Thursday.
During the audits, decreases in natural resource assets or serious pollution will be evaluated for accountability based on data, according to the pilot plan.
"It's a completely new task of reform without precedence," Chen said, adding that it will be an effective way to prompt officials to change their views on achievement and perform their duties better in protecting the environment.
It is likely to take two years to conduct pilot audit projects in some regions in order to gather information, evaluate the data and use the audit results, Chen said.
To cooperate with the environmental auditing of leading officials whose terms are ending, the National Bureau of Statistics will provide a more detailed database of natural resources, the basic information to be used for evaluating officials' performance under the new plan.
The contents of natural resources balance sheets in China, which will use increasingly detailed data, mainly cover land, forest and water resources, such as the use of and changes in the stocks of forest areas, cropland and grassland; the volume per unit area of natural forests; and the condition of surface water and groundwater resources, said Xu Xianchun, deputy head of the statistics bureau.
The natural resource inventory sheets will track the stock of, and changes in, natural resources over a year, he said.
Leading Party and government officials who are found to be accountable for harming the environment will face harsh punishment under a recently released regulation from the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee.
Under the regulation, they must make a public apology, will be removed from their leading position, cannot be promoted for at least one year, and will also be held accountable beyond their terms.
- UN chief: Those blocking fleeing refugees should 'stand in their shoes'
- Hungarian riot police detain migrants
- IOC announces five cities bid for 2024 summer Olympic
- Japan opposition to halt vote on security bills
- Japan protesters rally as security bills near passage
- Australia launches first air strikes against IS
- Messy dorm earns grueling punishinment for students
- Seven killed as rainstorm triggers landslide in SW China
- Chinese armed forces arrive in Malaysia for joint military exercise
- Top 10 M&A deals between China and US in 2015
- Delicious bites in record-breaking sizes
- Popular Chinese dishes in the US
- Evacuation ordered after M8.3 earthquake hits Chile’s coast
- Donate sperm to get an iPhone 6s
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
8 highlights about V-day Parade |
Glimpses of Tibet: Plateaus, people and faith |
Chinese entrepreneurs remain optimistic despite economic downfall |
50th anniversary of Tibet autonomous region |
Tianjin explosions: Deaths, destruction and bravery |
Cinemas enjoy strong first half |
Today's Top News
Economy worries prompt Fed to hold rates steady
Google demos online marketing strategies to support Chinese SMEs
The ancient city takes a new route along the Silk Road
Villagers angry at verdict on fatal fire
Promoting the landscapes of China
Uber's Chinese rival backs US rival Lyft
Positive tone struck for Xi's US visit
Xi to press case for Bilateral Investment Treaty
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |