Chinese government agencies have returned 4.16-billion yuan (520-million U.S. dollars) in misappropriated funds, announced the National Audit Office Wednesday.

According to the announcement, the government departments have also turned over 1.18 billion yuan (14.7 million U.S. dollars) to the central budget and reallocated 11.76 billion yuan (1.47 billion U.S. dollars).

One hundred and fourteen cases of suspected malpractice were discovered during the 2004 audit leading to punishment of 213 officials and the arrest, indictment of sentencing of 76 officials.

Ten of 12 departments accused of falsifying budget reports have transferred 390 million yuan (48.75 million dollars) in over claimed expenses to next year's budget.

Of the 26 central government departments that misappropriated 1.07 billion yuan (13.3 million dollars) in 2004, 23 have made refunds involving 873 million yuan (109.1 million dollars).

The Ministry of Finance has pledged to promote budget management reform.

Source: Xinhua