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Lawmakers call for better supervision of China's poverty relief funds

Xinhua, June 30, 2016 Adjust font size:

Lawmakers on Thursday reviewed an audit report on the central government's budget for 2015, calling for better supervision and more targeted use of poverty relief funds.

The report was submitted for review Wednesday at the bi-monthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, which runs from Monday to Saturday.

During a panel deliberation of the report, Qiangba Puncog, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, said the entire process should be supervised, and punishments should make the funds "a high-voltage electric line," which people would think twice before touching.

Underscoring the proper use of funds, Qiangba said local governments, especially those at county or village level, should integrate funds from different sources to ensure poverty relief funds to reach those who need it most.

Zheng Xuejun, an NPC deputy who observed the deliberation, echoed Qiangba's comments and said audits should be intensified to "ensure every penny is used for lifting the country's 70 million poor people out of poverty."

According to Wednesday's report, of the 5 billion yuan audited, 843 million yuan, or 17 percent, was idle for more than one year, including some for as long as 15 years.

Around 27 million yuan has been wasted due to 29 abandoned or unsatisfactory poverty relief projects, and an additional 151 million yuan was fraudulently obtained, for instance through fabricated contracts, or used for purposes other than helping the poor, the report said.

Luo Liangquan, an NPC Standing Committee member, suggested the funds should focus on key programs such as special projects, industry, education, medicare or migration.

To check fraudulent use and wastage, the government should close all loopholes, Luo said. Endit