■ Civil service
English incentives revamped
The government has decided to amend a controversial plan to enhance the English levels of civil servants after the incentives offered sparked complaints, officials said yesterday. The Central Personnel Administration (CPA) was drafting a new version of the plan that alters awards for advanced English speakers. "Government agencies will be authorized to work out their own rules regarding those who pass advanced-level English tests in accordance with their needs," a CPA official said. The new standards for advanced English proficiency were set to take effect today. Under the plan announced on Saturday, civil servants would get extra performance credits if they pass certain English exam levels, and civil servants who pass certain tests would be awarded performance credits and promotion prospects. But the proposed incentives sparked strong criticism, with opponents saying civil servants may be prompted to devote more time to improving their language skills rather than to their jobs. The CPA hopes at least 30 percent of civil servants will pass the basic tests by the end of next year and another 50 reach the level 12 months later.
■ Transportation
Train users can get refunds
Passengers will be entitled to a full refund for train tickets in the event of delays lasting more than 80 minutes from the middle of this month, Taiwan Railway Administration Deputy Director-General Chen Feng-nan (陳峰男) said. Chen made the promise at a news conference held by People First Party Legislator George Hsieh (謝國樑) after trains plying the Western Railway were hit with serious delays during the rush hour on Tuesday morning, generating a chorus of complaints. The delays were caused by a construction problem on the railway between Hsichih (汐止) in Taipei County and Chitu (七堵) in Keelung City, northern Taiwan, where the Reconstruction Bureau of the Taiwan Railway was working on an elevated rail project. The incident led to the Hsichih-Chitu line being cut for nearly three hours, affecting 56 commuter trains.
■ Politics
Control Yuan budget planned
The Control Yuan, the nation's highest watchdog body, has been without members since Feb. 1 because the legislature has refused to approve the nominations submitted by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), but this has not stopped the Executive Yuan from proposing a massive NT$240 million increase for the Control Yuan's fiscal 2006 budget. According to the central government's overall budget submitted to the Legislative Yuan for approval, the Control Yuan's share amounted to NT$2.26 billion, an increase of NT$240 million over fiscal 2005. The proposed budget covers all normal expenditures of the Control Yuan, including salaries for 24 members and staff, administrative expenses and allowances for members to make inspection tours abroad. However, the prospects appear dim for the Democratic Progressive Party government to break the deadlock, unless the president agrees to submit a new list of nominees matching the expectations of the legislature. Chen first submitted the names of his nominees in January for the previous legislature's approval, but opposition legislators refused to approve them. Chen indicated earlier this week that if it is necessary for him to submit the names of the nominees again, he will send exactly the same list as he submitted early this year.
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