China's top disciplinary authorities have called for tighter supervision of reconstruction projects offered by some local governments to the quake-hit areas.

In total, 19 provinces and municipalities have promised help in the reconstruction of 24 cities and counties seriously hit by the May 12 earthquake that centered on Wenchuan County of Sichuan Province.

The provinces and municipalities, including Shanghai, Tianjin and Zhejiang Province, are expected to help build houses, schools, hospitals and infrastructure in the quake-struck areas of Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi provinces.

Local disciplinary authorities were asked to closely follow the building, including the design, raw material purchase and construction of the projects, according to a release from a meeting held by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Ministry of Supervision.

Donations and materials offered by the 19 local governments should also be closely monitored, the release said.

It was feared that once the fate of all those listed missing in the magnitude-8.0 quake on May 12 was clarified, the death toll would top 87,000.

The losses from the quake were estimated at 845.1 billion yuan (US$123.5 billion). The national government had set up a quake rehabilitation fund and allocated 70 billion yuan for use this year.

An early report said 186 people had incurred Party disciplinary measures or administrative penalties as of August 29 for violations in the relief work.

(Xinhua News Agency September 17, 2008)