Thread: Govt To Keep Eye On Farmer Rice Payouts

Bangkok Post
October 24, 2014
Writer: King-oua Laohong

Justice Minister Gen Paiboon Koomchaya has ordered authorities to look into rice-subsidy payments to ensure the funds go directly to farmers, according to the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).

The subsidy, approved by the cabinet on Oct 1, allows registered rice growers to receive 1,000 baht per rai, with a maximum payment of 15,000 baht each, whether they own the land or lease it. The project's budget is 40 billion baht.

Concerns were raised at a recent Justice Ministry meeting that the farmer database is not up-to-date and landlords could use this loophole to take the subsidy for themselves, said PACC secretary-general Prayong Preeyajit.

Meanwhile, a probe by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) into the assets of five politicians — Ms Yingluck and four former cabinet ministers — involved in the rice-pledging scheme is progressing, said a commissioner.

Narong Rat-amarit, chairman of the asset probing panel, said the investigation which started in June is now 80% complete.

The asset probe was launched to proceed alongside the NACC probe into alleged acts of corruption in the rice-pledging scheme. The NACC found Ms Yingluck guilty of malfeasance due to her failure to stop corruption in the scheme.

Deputy Attorney-General Vudhibhongse Vibulyawongse said yesterday the joint working panel has yet to conclude its scrutiny of the NACC's report against Ms Yingluck.

The NACC submitted its case file against Ms Yingluck to the Office of the Attorney-General on Aug 4 recommending the former prime minister be indicted in the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions.

The OAG, however, found the case file was incomplete and a joint committee was formed by the OAG and the NACC to scrutinize the case further.

Mr Vudhibhongse said there are several points to work through and, even though the 14-day time limit for consideration has not been met, the case has not been dropped. If the joint-panel agrees with the indictment, the case will be filed with the court.

Govt to keep eye on rice payouts | Bangkok Post: news

Lets hope the biggest landowners in Thailand not have ways around the scheme.

Who Are The Biggest Landowners In Thailand? ? Kingdom