Recent reports about the extravagant tastes of a real estate bureau chief in Nanjing have incensed the public, the latest in a string of stories about local government officials nationwide who live luxurious lifestyles.

The public has criticized such officials for their lavish spending both on the job and in their private lives. The real estate bureau chief in Nanjing, for instance, reportedly spent 180 yuan, or 25 U.S. dollars, on a pack of cigarettes.

A commentary in the Workers' Daily says citizens are very concerned about such cases, because they want to know who is actually footing the bill for government officials' spending sprees. Although public servants have been earning higher salaries in recent years, their incomes do not enable them to purchase luxury goods. This has led many to assume that the officials are accepting bribes.

The commentary points outs that some officials have been quite actively involved in power-for-money deals with the local wealthy. At the same time, some other officials have sought luxury goods and high-priced entertainment while acting in their official capacities. They often take overseas business trips and stay in five-star hotels, it said.

The paper suggests that the government soon initiate a property declaration system for local government officials nationwide. It also should allow for the investigation of both officials and their family members, the article said.