Some officials of a children welfare center in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, have been suspended for squandering more than 390,000 yuan (US$61,452) of fund to buy a Mercedes-Benz MPV.

The Mercedes-Benz MPV bought by Hefei Children Welfare Center [file photo]

The case also involved officials with the city's civil affairs, finance and public procurement bureaus. The vehicle has been confiscated, the Hefei government said today.

Hefei Children Welfare Center's new vehicle sparked some controversy about the abuse of public funds. A Heifei Civil Affairs Bureau official said yesterday the van would be used to carry orphans to social activities and hospitals.

The official said the budget for the Mercedes-Benz MPV was approved by certain bureaus and it was not overly expensive for a public welfare organization to own a quality vehicle.

However, the city government said the Children Welfare Center violated the regulations on government spending and people responsible for the purchase will be punished.