Heating company breaks 'rule'

A heating company in Hohhot, capital of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, recently cut off an entire building from its supply list because just one household had not paid its dues. Heating companies and other public service providers should negotiate with defaulters instead of making even those who pay their dues in time suffer, says an article in the China Youth Daily. Excerpts:

Winter sets in earlier in Hohhot than many other cities even in northern China, hence central heating has already started in the city. But residents of No 2 Shuguang Street still have to shiver because the heating company has cut off supply to it. The reason: one of the households has not paid its dues.

During the days of planned economy, people used to live in dormitories provided by their work units. People living in such dormitories always knew each other and could pressure one or more of them to follow rules and not do something that could harm the neighborhood or community.