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Lucky money banned
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AUTHORITIES in Guangdong have imposed stringent rules banning officials in the province from accepting and giving lucky money, in a renewed effort to wipe out corruption in government establishments.
The rules, published yesterday, prohibit officials with government and Party organs from accepting lucky money, or “red packets”, from any individuals and organizations directly or indirectly under its jurisdiction, foreign funded firms and private entrepreneurs.
Officials receiving a “red packet” worth less than 1,000 yuan (US$120) who fail to hand over the gift to the public coffer within one month will be given a warning or demerit. If the amount exceeds 10,000 yuan, the officials in question will face severe punishment ranging from job suspension or demotion to expulsion from the Party and loss of their government employment, according to the rules.
Heavier punishments are spelled out in the rules if public funds are used as lucky money. Officials either receiving or giving “red packets” face the same punishments, the rules said.
The new rules, targeting the popular form of bribery, are believed to serve as a remedy to the murky legislation relating to “red packets”, which were traditionally an instrument of social etiquette but, in many cases, have turned into bribes in disguise.
(SD News)
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