Misconduct by officials working in poverty alleviation in 2017 will not be tolerated, according to the State Council executive meeting on Feb 22.

Central government will conduct strict supervision on local authorities in terms of fund use and relocation of poor families, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Local governments’ performance in poverty alleviation will be evaluated, as well as the cooperation between east and west regions.

In 2016, 7,465 officials were punished for misconduct, including cheating and abuse of power, in poverty alleviation work.

“The year 2017 will see the strictest appraisal in years,” said Liu Yongfu, director of the State Council poverty alleviation office.

Also in 2017, the budget for poverty alleviation will be raised by central and local authorities to improve infrastructure and basic public services in extremely poor areas, ethnic group areas and remote regions. And some poor families will be helped by the government to maintain their old houses, according to the State Council executive meeting.

Poor villages will get support to develop their economy, especially in industries where they may have comparative advantages, Xinhua said.