Somkid tells finance minister to increase welfare-card credit limits

By The Nation

 

File photo: Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripithak

 

Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripithak said on Monday that he had told Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong to consider increasing purchasing credit for the poor who hold the government’s welfare debit cards.

Somkid said Apisak would have to weigh various factors before deciding how high to raise the credit for purchasing goods through the welfare cards.

 

Welfare card holders are now allowed to use the debit cards to buy goods worth Bt200 to Bt300 a month from supporting shops, depending on their level of registered income.

 

Somkid said the government may reallocate budget funds from non-urgent projects to increase the purchasing credit for the poor.

 

“If possible, we will increase the money for the welfare cards’ credit. Now, it is clear that the poor want more credit for making purchases,” Somkid said.

 

“We may also allow the purchases of other necessities such as school uniforms for their kids.”

 

So far, 11.67 million people have registered to receive the government’s subsidy through the welfare card program.

 

Those with income less than Bt30,000 a year are entitled to monthly purchasing credit of Bt300 while those with Bt30,000 to Bt100,000 income a year are entitled to monthly credit of Bt200.

 

The welfare card holders are entitled to receive a subsidy of Bt45 for purchasing cooking gas every three months, Bt500 a month for using electric trains and buses, and Bt500 a month for using provincial buses or inter-provincial trains.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30329366

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-10-16

A good idea too.

 

Whilst it is populist it is aimed at the poorest and not just at a specific group of people.

 

If you think about it at this time it is only 10 baht per person per day.

" reallocate budget funds from non-urgent projects to increase the purchasing credit for the poor."

what,like submarines,tanks,and other weapons of war,yes seems like a good idea,never happen but.

regards worgeordie

Love to see anyone post here on how to live on 10 baht a day

35 minutes ago, billd766 said:

A good idea too.

 

Whilst it is populist it is aimed at the poorest and not just at a specific group of people.

 

If you think about it at this time it is only 10 baht per person per day.

Yes at least its not aimed at farmers alone.. just poor people. so even though its populist its at least good for all of them. Far more fair then just giving the farmers money.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

the government may reallocate budget funds from non-urgent projects to increase the purchasing credit for the poor.

Ordinarily the executive branch cannot move funds between agencies without legislative approval. Prayut might have to invoke Article 44 to bypass the normal legislative budgeting process. Unless the executive branch has created a slush fund of phantom accounts in the FY 2018 Budget to "park" discretionary funds - not an impossibility.

stupid ideas that don't make any long term difference

5 hours ago, mike324 said:

stupid ideas that don't make any long term difference

 

Do you have any better ideas along with ways to fund them?

 

If you are on 30,000 baht a year and were given a card to increase your income by more than 10% at NO cost to you,you may think differently.

 

Seniors in Thailand are given a pension of 600 baht per month (soon to be 700 baht).

 

An increase of some 50% is very welcome.

2 hours ago, billd766 said:

 

Do you have any better ideas along with ways to fund them?

 

If you are on 30,000 baht a year and were given a card to increase your income by more than 10% at NO cost to you,you may think differently.

 

Seniors in Thailand are given a pension of 600 baht per month (soon to be 700 baht).

 

An increase of some 50% is very welcome.

As mentioned in the article it is the credit limit which is to be increased, this implies that this is a credit card. Credit cards normally have to be repaid, as they are loan instruments...

15 hours ago, billd766 said:

 

Do you have any better ideas along with ways to fund them?

 

If you are on 30,000 baht a year and were given a card to increase your income by more than 10% at NO cost to you,you may think differently.

 

Seniors in Thailand are given a pension of 600 baht per month (soon to be 700 baht).

 

An increase of some 50% is very welcome.

I admit my words were a little harsh. The scheme is poorly planned, there are only a limited amount of blue flag stores that people can purchase goods from, for many its out of reach and they have no means to travel there. The schemed is rolled out, but not all stores even have card readers, some stores have card readers but no internet access to swipe the cards. It would have been more beneficial if they included major retailers such as 7-11, Lotus, Big C to join in the scheme. 

 

The government could help greatly by reducing the cost of public transportation such as BTS / MRT so low income can afford to take it. The distance traveled per KM is expensive if you compare with other develop asian nations. This would increase efficiency and reduce traffic.

 

The scheme has good intentions as it cuts down on corruption with the use of electronic cards but it just needs better planning.