An official in Chenzhou, Hunan province, has been fired for being absent for nearly five months from his post to avoid paying his debts, Xiaoxiang Morning News reported Tuesday.

Wang Changhong, 53, deputy director of the city's agricultural-machinery administration, was continuously absent from the administration without giving a reason for 146 days since Nov 29, until he was found April 22 by the local disciplinary inspection and supervision departments.

Wang told the departments that he left the city for Guangdong province in order to avoid paying his debts on his businesses of smelters and coal mine. While in Guangdong province, he worked as a driver.

Wang was fired Friday from the administration for his absenteeism and for violating rules that bans government officials from operating businesses.