BEIJING - A total of 4,599 people were punished for breaches of anti-bureaucracy rules in March, the Communist Party of China (CPC)'s discipline agency said Friday.

The violators were involved in 3,275 cases, the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said in a statement. Breaches included violating workplace rules, using public funds for expensive recreational or building activities and being lazy at work.

Since the implementation of the "eight-point" anti-bureaucracy and formalism rules, 42,666 people have been punished nationwide, the statement said.

The rules were introduced by the central leadership late in 2012. They order CPC officials to reduce pomp, ceremony, bureaucratic visits and meetings.