'Do-gooders' to be Rewarded

Beijing expects to have a new local regulation to reward those who risk their own lives to save others, according report of China Daily.

Although the Standing Committee of the 11th Beijing Municipal People's Congress (BMPC) still has to vote on the revised draft of the regulation, the committee has already applauded the idea. "Having considered the suggestions of the Standing Committee members, the municipal government, and the public, the revised draft suggests practical measures to stop the misfortune of those who help others at their own cost by rewarding them. This will encourage such heroic deeds," said Lan Tianzhu, a standing committee member.

The BMPC Standing Committee publicized the draft of the regulation last November 9 to collect public opinion, and draw active response from local people.

Of the replying citizens, 98.8 per cent thought it was "necessary" to have such a local regulation.

Many said that the municipal government should officially recognize the heroic deeds of the people and see that it solves their practical problems.

The committee has received letters from residents that have done "heroic deeds."

"Although I did the heroic thing purely out of a sense of justice and thought nothing of repayment at the moment, I do feel I need care, support and help of the society now that my leg is disabled," one resident wrote.

Zhang Xuming, director of the Sub-committee of Internal Affairs of the Standing Committee, said the revised draft has plainly defined that the municipal government should recognize such deeds with both material and symbolic rewards.

Medical care should be provided to people when they are injured and costs incurred while saving others, should be covered, Zhang said.

Local governments should take care of the people who are disabled as a result of saving someone's life. If the regulation passes, which will be decided today, it will go into effect on August 1, 2000.



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