High dissatisfaction rate over services of some government departments reveals problems in their work, says a signed article in Jinan-based Dazhong Daily. An excerpt follows:

Beijing-based Horizon Research Group recently published a report on Chinese citizens' verdict on government and public services. It says that more than 40 percent of those polled were not satisfied with services of government departments. The report was based on random sampling in 10 cities and 8 towns around the country.

The level of "dissatisfaction" towards government services is quite stunning. It indicates that there is much room for improvement.

The public satisfaction rate is an important way to test the quality of government work. In a similar survey last year, the public gave higher marks to the central government than local governments.

Compared with the previous survey, many indexes in the new one have improved. But still, there are more than 40 percent of citizens who are unhappy with public services, which has set alarm bells ringing in some local governments.

Related departments should pay attention to this survey, unofficial as it is. Problems revealed in it should be examined and rectified. Those officials who are accountable for the low satisfaction rate should be investigated or even sacked if they are found to be in dereliction of duty, while others should be urged to reflect on their performance.

A service-oriented government should provide quality public products and services. It requires all government departments and civil servants to improve their daily work.

(China Daily February 23, 2006)