BEIJING -- China punished 3,299 people involved in fiscal violations as of the end of October after an audit of 2017 central budget spending and other fiscal matters, the top auditor said Monday.

Hu Zejun, head of the National Audit Office, made the statement while briefing lawmakers following the audit.

The funds related to fiscal violations stood at around 295.6 billion yuan (42.9 billion U.S. dollars).

Among those on the list, 649 were punished for inappropriate use of poverty relief funds, Hu said, adding involved funds totaled around 15.49 billion yuan.

In addition, 525 were punished for irregularities in the use of affordable housing funds with 59.4 billion yuan involved.

The report was submitted for review at the ongoing bi-monthly session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee.