New vehicle rules to cut official expenses

No personal cars for bureau chiefs and below, local govts also affected

China unveiled guidelines reforming the use of government vehicles on Wednesday, vowing to complete their implementation at central government organs within the year. The guidelines are a long-anticipated move meant to combat bureaucracy and extravagance of the part of authorities.

Officials at the bureau chief level and below will no longer be supplied with personal vehicles and the supply of vehicles for use in normal government business will be cut, while the supply of vehicles used in law enforcement and emergency services will be maintained at current levels, according to the guidelines.

It is estimated that 5,000 cars will be retired from central government bodies by the end of 2014. The spare vehicles will be sold by open auction and the money earned will be returned to the State treasury. Local governments are scheduled to finish implementing the reforms by the end of 2015, with full implementation expected in two to three years.

The guidelines come amid the country's ongoing campaign to curb official privileges.

"This is another step closer to bridging the gap between China and the world. In other countries, unlike in China, only the very top officials are provided vehicles for their personal use. But most importantly, this will reduce the burden on taxpayers by cutting officials' privileges," Tong Zhiwei, a professor at the East China University of Political Science and Law in Shanghai, told the Global Times.

Chinese officials above a certain level have typically been provided a driver and car for their work, a significant drain on public funds. Over the years, many have been found using government vehicles for private purposes, leading to widespread complaints about abuse of power.

Under the reform plan, drivers and other staff that may be affected during the reform will not be fired. They will be transferred to other positions within the government or be granted early retirement with an improved pension plan.

Meanwhile, subsidies will be allocated for transportation of the affected officials. In particular, a central government official at bureau chief level will be eligible to receive 1,300 yuan ($208) every month. Those working in local governments will be subsidized according to their rank and transportation situation.

"The expenses on just one government vehicle may be up to 100,000 yuan every year. These subsidies save a lot of money. It is also a move to guarantee that the government vehicle reform can proceed during the transition," Tong said, adding that local authorities should make full use of car rental services.

Lian Weiliang, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission, said that the main point of the reforms is to save money, and the total subsidized amount should be lower than the amount previously spent on government vehicles, news portal people.com.cn reported.