Seeking a risk-free iron-rice bowl has been one of the major motivations behind the increasingly frenzied rush for civil service jobs in recent years. Such jobs are regarded as mainly involving comfortable and easy work and are extremely secure.

Yet, the regulations issued by the State Council yesterday will possibly end such fantasies for many who are fervently pursuing positions in government departments.

The regulations, which will take effect from June 1, contain detailed clauses about six types of disciplinary penalties for misbehavior or malpractice by civil servants that is not serious enough to be dealt with by law.

These penalties, including demotion and dismissal, aim to bring home the principle that civil servants, who are supposed to serve the interests of the people, must set good examples in terms of moral integrity.

Those who keep mistresses or refuse to take care of their aged parents or mistreat their spouses or family members will face the risk of being dismissed from their posts or fired, according to the regulations.

Some may argue that such penalties are irrelevant, as the above-mentioned misbehavior has nothing to do with their jobs and are personal issues. Yet, such behavior goes beyond even the basic moral requirements for ordinary citizens. Civil servants, who are paid by taxpayers, have every reason to toe the moral line. If they don't, they are not qualified to be civil servants.

In addition, it can hardly be imaginable that those who are morally corrupt can be expected to wholeheartedly serve the interests of the general public.

It is unjustifiable to keep in the ranks of the civil service those who can't play their due role in their positions.

Depravity is characteristic of almost all corrupt officials who have been punished in the campaign against corruption. Their cases have verified the connection between personal moral degradation and corruption. It is always the lust for a decadent life that pushes officials to abuse their power for personal gain.

The regulations also stipulate that those officials, who arbitrarily make administrative decisions or arbitrarily change collectively agreed policies, will face the penalty of being dismissed from their posts or fired.

These penalties are a good supplement to the existing rules for maintaining honest and effective governance. What we need is a mechanism to give them teeth.

(China Daily April 30, 2007)