BEIJING -- The government has punished 1,148 officials for laziness and poor performance after an internal check.

Punishments included removal from office, demotion and demerits, the State Council, China's cabinet, revealed Thursday in a statement.

The officials mainly worked in the education, social security, housing and medical sectors. Violations included delaying major projects, such as low-cost housing, and turning a blind eye to safety issues, the statement said, referring to checks conducted in the middle of last year. The checks were independent of inspections by the Communist Party of China's anti-graft agency.

Most problems found have been solved, according to the statement.

The State Council also praised 20 cities and 20 counties for their good performance, adding that its system uses punishment and rewards to ensure diligent, clean governance.

The 40 cities and counties will be assigned more financial support for their major projects and be exempted from inspections this year.