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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.

Linfen of Shanxi Province was listed the dirtiest city in the country from 2003 to 2005. [file]

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.

According to a report by Shanxi Evening News on May 13, 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 financial incentives are directed to individuals including the city and county governmental heads, environmental protection bureau officers and other related 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 officials should be finding ways to improve the environment, and there is no reason to give out big bonuses for just doing their 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. Financial bonuses 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 their environmental efforts.

"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 couldn't 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 is a lot of dark dust and powder 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 such 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.