The State Council has issued a 24-article regulation to effectively prevent especially serious accidents from happening, and to protect people's lives and property.
According to the regulation, which Xinhua News Agency was authorized to release Saturday, criminal liabilities of principal officials will be pursued if accidents occur because of neglect of duty or other malpractice involving the leaders.
The State Council will impose administrative punishment against governors, mayors, or chairpersons of provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions as well as relevant ministers of the State Council if there occur exceptionally serious accidents related to traffic, construction quality, fire, civil explosives, dangerous chemicals, coal mines, boilers, pressure pipes or vessels, in line with the said regulations.
(Xinhua 04/29/2001)
