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Local officials face penalties over pollution

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-11 17:23

Zhou told the meeting that emissions had fallen by only 2.3 percent for the past two years, meaning more reductions totaling 7.7 percent were required in less than three years.

He said local environmental watchdogs nationwide reported water pollution cases every other day, and the number had increased by 30 percent in the first half year from the same period of last year. He did not give the number of cases for either six-month period.

He reiterated that the reduction in pollution discharges to water bodies was the fundamental to improving the environment.

The ministry was established on March 27 from its predecessor, the State Environmental Protection Administration. It completed an expansion in August, which was reported to be aimed at reinforcing its role in the prevention and control of water pollution.

In August, the ministry submitted a proposal to the National People's Congress, China's top law-making body, seeking powers to detain for up to 15 days people responsible for illegally discharging dangerous chemicals into water and those responsible for discharges of poisonous, radioactive and erosive substances, or pathogens or illegally disposing of dangerous substances should be held responsible.

The proposal did not specify penalties, but said they should be determined according to the severity of the incident.

According to the Chinese law, only police authorities above county level have the power to exercise administrative detention, which is different from criminal arrest and lasts from one to 15 days.  The punishment also applies to leaders found guilty of dereliction of duty.

Staff and senior officials environmental agencies that fail to transfer those suspected of water pollution could face warnings, demerits, demotions, or dismissal, according to the proposal.

Zhou said on September 1 that 1.6 million cases of water pollution had been reported through a government hotline since the beginning of 2003.

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