Township makes own liquor to save cash

A township government in South China's Guangdongprovince is making its own liquor to save money on official receptions.

More than 50 kgof liquor is used by the government of Baishun township, a mountainous region, every month for official receptions, which is straining its finances, according to a township official.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the Southern Village Daily on October 24 that the liquor made by the government cost only 10 yuan ($1.6) to produce, much cheaper than liquor bought commercially.

Local people have a long tradition of making liquor, and homemade liquor is healthier to drink as it is made from grain, the official said.

During an official conference on October 24, the township government used nearly 10 kgof liquor, the report said.

Contacted by China Daily on Monday, an official from the township government said officials had been barred from discussing the liquor issue following the news report as public receptions are a sensitive topic.

According to an annual financial report, staging official receptions last year cost government agencies and affiliated public institutions 1.5 billion yuan at central government level.