Too much red tape earns telling off from police

A POLICE STATION IN LOUDI, Central China's Hunan province, reportedly rebuked the local civil affairs bureau on Wednesday for demanding that a 68-year-old resident obtain a redundant police certificate when she applied for a new senior citizen pass. In a statement enclosed with the requested certificate, the police urged the civil affairs officials to abide by the central government's call to reduce red tape. Comments:

To improve their public service, government departments should communicate and coordinate with each other more often, not forge interest-oriented alliances that make things difficult for ordinary people. That being said, they should resort to moderate mutual criticism and suggestions, and reflect more upon their problems to prevent other departments from making the same mistakes.

Beijing News, Aug 6