BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The State Council, China's cabinet, on Tuesday granted the release of a set of milestone regulations to boost official transparency, ordering government departments to be more open in giving out information.

The regulations, signed by Premier Wen Jiabao, is likely to become the country's most specific and progressive rules encouraging the publicity of government information when they take effect on May 1, 2008.

Governments at various levels are required to give out information which involves the immediate interests of individuals and groups or which should be known by the masses, the regulations say.

Listed as priorities by the State Council are details of how government departments plan to deal with emergencies, government expenses, specific charges for administrative and public services, and results of investigations into environmental protection, public health and food and drugs safety.

Local governments are required to publicize data on land acquisitions, residence relocations and related compensation.

Village authorities will have to give out information on land use, financial accounting, the operation of rural collective enterprises and the family situations of village residents in order to ensure the fair enforcement of the family planning policy.