Discrimination and nepotism in the distribution of relief goods are not tolerated, China's State Council earthquake relief headquarters declared on Friday, and the legitimate rights of donors and recipients must be respected.

At a meeting to discuss the better management of relief supplies and funds for victims of the May 12 earthquake, a notice issued at the end of the session said all donations must only be used for quake relief and quake-hit regions' reconstruction. They cannot be appropriated for other purposes.

In addition, government departments and social organizations that deal with donations must clearly keep records of all donations.

"The legitimate rights of donors and recipients must be respected and protected according to China's law on donations," it said.

While distributing relief supplies, discrimination or nepotism are not allowed. It added when ensuring people's basic living demands, the waste of relief supplies must be avoided.

The notice required all government departments and social organizations dealing with relief supplies and donations to publicize information on the total amount of funds allocated by the central or local governments, the sources and whereabouts of donated funds and the price and quantity of relief supplies purchased.

It also required auditing organs to account for the relief and donations and to regularly publicize the results.

(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 20008)