Emergency requisition plan sparks local debate
By Li Xinran |
October 15, 2010, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE southwestern province of Sichuan's plans to allow local government to requisition civilian assets in the event of an emergency, saying it was constitutional, has sparked controversy among local residents who are worried the policy could lead to an abuse of power.
A study by a major domestic Web portal qq.com revealed that more than 90 percent of 60,000 online voters were against the plan by Monday.
Zou Zhongmin, vice director of the provincial legislative office, said that the draft of the province's contingency plan was constitutional as both China's Constitution and Property Law allow the requisition of personal property during a state of emergency.
According to clause 47 of the draft, governments at county level or above can carry out the requisition of property belonging to any unit or individual to cope with an emergency situation if necessary - and even forcibly in cases where people refuse to give up their property.
Zou admitted the word "forcibly" needed further discussion, but said the plan was made mainly for natural disasters, accidents, health crises and social unrest and would be carried out to save people's lives.
Zou also emphasized a hearing at the end of the month to amend the act based on public opinion and a test run of one or two years before it is handed in to the °?provincial lawmakers for the final approval of the scheme.
Zhou Wei, a law school professor with Sichuan University, said that forcible relocation headed by some local governments in recent years has become a topic of some controversy over the abuse of power.
A study by a major domestic Web portal qq.com revealed that more than 90 percent of 60,000 online voters were against the plan by Monday.
Zou Zhongmin, vice director of the provincial legislative office, said that the draft of the province's contingency plan was constitutional as both China's Constitution and Property Law allow the requisition of personal property during a state of emergency.
According to clause 47 of the draft, governments at county level or above can carry out the requisition of property belonging to any unit or individual to cope with an emergency situation if necessary - and even forcibly in cases where people refuse to give up their property.
Zou admitted the word "forcibly" needed further discussion, but said the plan was made mainly for natural disasters, accidents, health crises and social unrest and would be carried out to save people's lives.
Zou also emphasized a hearing at the end of the month to amend the act based on public opinion and a test run of one or two years before it is handed in to the °?provincial lawmakers for the final approval of the scheme.
Zhou Wei, a law school professor with Sichuan University, said that forcible relocation headed by some local governments in recent years has become a topic of some controversy over the abuse of power.
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