With national finances hurting, lawmakers have proposed cutting costs by reducing their own pay and that of top government officials and political appointees.
DPP Legislator Charles Chiang (
By the same token, benefits for retired presidents and vice presidents should be reduced by 30 percent for two years, Chiang said.
Also targeted are 3,442 retired high-ranking military officers, whom the legislator said are spending too much government money.
For example, Chiang said, 44 retired generals and admirals receive a monthly pension of NT$179,500.
"The government will be able to save a lot of money if their retirement pensions are reduced altogether," Chiang said.
Chiang's proposal won immediate support from the KMT and PFP, which plan to achieve the goal through inter-branch negotiations, amending related laws and trimming the budget for personnel expenses.
Lee Chuan-chiao (
PFP caucus convener Shen Chih-hwei (
The TSU, meanwhile, said the officials in question should be encouraged to cut their pay voluntarily, just as President Chen Shui-bian (
This would prevent disrupting the system governing the benefits of government officials, according to TSU caucus convener Su Ying-kwei (
Su said the generous special allowances for public appointees, rather than pay, should be targeted.
Su said he has found that many ministry funds contain large administrative fees, which ministers have a free hand to spend.
The amount could reach NT$50 million per annum in a single ministry, Su said, estimating that it would help save billions of NT dollars if lawmakers kept a close watch on this category of spending alone.
In addition, Su proposed that Chen stop hiring paid advisers, which he said would save NT$150 million in annual government spending.
Also yesterday, DPP Legislator Tuan Yi-kang (
Tuan said Lien is entitled to a monthly retirement pension higher than that received by former president Lee Teng-hui (
According to Tuan, Lien's monthly pension is NT$422,586, while Lee's is NT$411,000.
Lien yesterday said he would give up his retirement benefits if it would help the economic development of the country.
Lien also accused the DPP of distracting public attention from its failure to improve the economy by raising what he said was this irrelevant issue.
A NT$39 receipt for two bottles of tea at a FamilyMart was among the NT$10 million (US $312,969) special prize winners in the January-February uniform invoice lottery. FamilyMart said that two NT$10 million-winning receipts were issued at its stores, as well as two NT$2 million grand prizes and three NT$200,000 first prizes. The two NT$10 million receipts were issued at stores in Pingtung County and Yilan County’s Dongshan Township (冬山). One winner spent just NT$39 on two bottles of tea, while another spent NT$80 on water, tea and coffee, the company said. Meanwhile, 7-Eleven reported three NT$10 million winners — in New Taipei
Considering that most countries issue more than five denominations of banknotes, the central bank has decided to redesign all five denominations, the bank said as it prepares for the first major overhaul of the banknotes in more than 24 years. Central bank Governor Yang Chin-lung (楊金龍) is expected to report to the Legislative Yuan today on the bank’s operations and the redesign’s progress. The bank in a report sent to the legislature ahead of today’s meeting said it had commissioned a survey on the public’s preferences. Survey results showed that NT$100 and NT$1,000 banknotes are the most commonly used, while NT$200 and NT$2,000
ANNUAL EVENT: Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in Daan Park, with an event zone operating from 10am to 6pm This year’s Taipei Floral Picnic is to be held at Daan Park today and tomorrow, featuring an exclusive Pokemon Go event, a themed food market, a coffee rave picnic area and stage performances, the Taipei Department of Information and Tourism said yesterday. Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in the park as attractions, with an exclusive event zone operating from 10am to 6pm, it said. Participants who complete designated tasks on-site would have a chance to receive limited-edition souvenirs, it added. People could also try the newly launched game Pokemon Pokopia in the trial area, the department said. Three PokeStops are
Taiwan is concerned that China could exploit the US’ war in the Middle East, with state media citing examples from the conflict to cast doubt on the efficiency of US weapons Taiwan would use to repel an invasion. Taiwanese officials said the resumption of Beijing’s large-scale air force incursions near Taiwan after an unusual decline show that China wants to take advantage of the redeployment of US forces from East Asia to the Middle East. “This is a moment for China to exercise influence,” a senior Taiwanese security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “What China is trying to create is a
RSS