Leaders to face penalties over local govt debt

BEIJING - Local government leaders may find their career outlook dimmed and themselves liable for penalties if debts under their administration have "excessively mounted".

Yuan Shuhong, deputy director of the Legislative Affairs Office under the State Council, said local leaders should receive deductions in their job evaluation, if local debts exceed a certain limit.

Yuan failed to specify how much debt could negatively impact on a local governor's performance appraisal, but said if the situation was serious, the governor may also be penalized.