The Communist Party of China's (CPC) top anti-corruption official on Friday urged tighter supervision and inspection to ensure the implementation of the central government's economic policies.

He Guoqiang, secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), made these comments at a conference held before inspection groups headed for local governments.

The central government has announced steps to spur domestic demand and boost economic development in the face of the global economic slowdown.

A supervision work leading group, composed of the CCDI, the Ministry of Supervision, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Finance and the National Audit Office, has been set up to supervise the projects invested in by the central government and the implementation of economic policies.

Twenty-four groups will go to 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions to carry out inspections.

He asked inspectors to examine project plans, as well as approval and construction procedures, to ensure they were in compliance with laws and regulations.

Supervision over the management and use of money, as well as project quality, should be tightened, He said.

He, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, added that officials found taking bribes or embezzling funds should be severely punished.

(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2008)