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Don't make people suffer

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-01-17 08:05

Temperatures in Linzhou, Henan province, dropped to minus 10 C. The suffering of Linzhou residents was magnified because the power stations there rationed electricity supply to meet their energy saving targets, says an article in Guangzhou Daily. Excerpts:

The aim of energy conservation and emission reduction is to protect the environment and improve people's life and livelihood. But the Linzhou authorities seem to be doing exactly the opposite.

The National Development and Reform Commission issued a notice that emphasized energy conservation and reduction of emission, but it also said that the authorities should not rely on short-term efforts to accomplish the task.

The task of conserving energy and reducing emission cannot be achieved in a day. Instead, it requires surefooted implementation over the long term.

But some regions and departments have been making hasty efforts at the last moment to achieve their targets. This has given rise to malpractices that see officials cut off electricity and heating supplies when they are needed the most.

Governments are obliged to provide public services. Cutting off electricity and heating to save energy shows that local governments are more interested in achieving their energy saving and emission-reduction targets than providing for the people.

Behind such seemingly absurd actions, there is a hidden logic: to gain brownie points to improve their performance. Such practices prove some officials have deviated from or even run counter to people's livelihood.

(China Daily 01/17/2011 page9)