Budget Heavy On Populist Spending, Light On Flood Rehabilitation: Jurin

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Budget heavy on populist spending, light on flood rehabilitation: Jurin

Khanittha Theppajorn,

Thanapat Jiensathit

The Nation

The opposition is preparing to scrutinise the government's 2012 Budget Bill, which it believes focuses too much on populist programmes, while the planned Bt900 billion in extra loans will be hard to examine as they are off-budget, opposition chief whip Jurin Laksanawisit said yesterday.

Moreover, of the Bt120 billion in central budget funds to be allocated to flood-related problems, Bt80 billion-Bt100 billion was to go towards flood-victim compensation while only Bt20 billion-Bt30 billion would be saved for the rehabilitation works.

"The [government's] budget allocation reflects the government's emphasis on the populist projects it promoted during the election campaign; the budget is still allocated to the tablet PC and first-car programmes, as if the country was in a normal situation. The government is more worried about populism and election campaign promises [than rehabilitation]," Jurin said.

He said the opposition had also found that the government intended to reduce some crucial spending planned by the previous government.

For example, he said, the budget for the public healthcare scheme would be reduced from Bt2,895.60 to Bt2,755.6 per citizen.

Government spokeswoman Titima Chaisang said the opposition should support the government's budget plan as it was designed to help people. Moreover, the Bt800 billion budget was for long-term rehabilitation.

The government cannot wait until the flood water subsides to plan long-term rehabilitation, she said. It had set up three panels to study and plan rehabilitation efforts.

Concerned ministries would have to quickly study the details and propose plans to the National Economic and Social Development Board so that the proposals can be brought to the Cabinet for consideration quickly, she said.

"When the Cabinet decides, people will be informed of how much they would get in compensation in case of house damage or crop damage. For example, Bt25,000 compensation would be granted in the event of loss of life, and Bt50,000 if it is the breadwinner," she said.

The government has requested that 10 per cent of each ministry's budget be allocated to flood relief. Altogether, that would add up to more than Bt100 billion in central budget funds, she said, adding that the Bt800-900 billion budget would be for one year only.

The spokeswoman also said the government would clarify during the budget scrutiny session that the Pheu Thai Party's difficulties were exacerbated by the fact that the previous Democrat-led government had made no flood preparations. The central budget was fully allocated, forcing the government to cut each ministry's budget by 10 per cent.

Deputy government whip Paijit Sriworakhan said the government and opposition MPs would get 13 hours to scrutinise the government's 2012 Budget Bill during the scheduled House meeting on Wednesday and Thursday. Three hours would be spared for objections.

He was speaking after a meeting with Deputy House Speaker Charoen Chankomol and the opposition whip yesterday.

The meeting would start at 9.30am Wednesday and finish before midnight Thursday, he said.

Paijit said Pheu Thai initially plans to give ministers seven hours to clarify the government's position, while its MPs would be allowed to speak for six hours.

-- The Nation 2011-11-04

[jonclark]

...Bt25,000 compensation would be granted in the event of loss of life, and Bt50,000 if it is the breadwinner," she said.

Jeez - That is actually insulting, wouldn't even cover the costs of a funeral. So how many TV members feel that 1'000 GBP is a good approximation for the value of their or their loved ones lives. Shows that more value os placed on business than life when you compare the figures.

[siampolee]

Bargain basement prices so as to ensure the cheapest possible return price for Brother no.1 and thus allowing him , his family and their nauseating collection of brown nosing acolytes to pick up the big ticket items at disaster sale prices.

The plan must go on.

[whybother]

...Bt25,000 compensation would be granted in the event of loss of life, and Bt50,000 if it is the breadwinner," she said.

Jeez - That is actually insulting, wouldn't even cover the costs of a funeral. So how many TV members feel that 1'000 GBP is a good approximation for the value of their or their loved ones lives. Shows that more value os placed on business than life when you compare the figures.

I'm not trying to be heartless, but why should the government give anything? Do they give money for any other deaths (unrelated to floods) that occur?

[siampolee]

There is a death grant given by the government , therefore there is a precedent for compensation. Charity begins at home .

Let's be fair about it the government (s) over the years have "donated, granted " large sums of money and land at knock down prices to their own members without a qualm to alleviate their members suffering.

Give the little man a go on the roundabout this time.

Edited November 4, 2011 by siampolee

[DP25]

For example, he said, the budget for the public healthcare scheme would be reduced from Bt2,895.60 to Bt2,755.6 per citizen.

Good thing they decided to start charging 30 baht instead of having it free like under the previous government

And I'm not sure that tax free 5 million baht homes or even tax free automobiles really qualify as populist, that's hardly aimed at the poor and will mostly benefit the middle class and the wealthy. Not sure how slashing corporate income tax helps the poor either.

[Buchholz]

...Bt25,000 compensation would be granted in the event of loss of life, and Bt50,000 if it is the breadwinner," she said.

Jeez - That is actually insulting, wouldn't even cover the costs of a funeral. So how many TV members feel that 1'000 GBP is a good approximation for the value of their or their loved ones lives. Shows that more value os placed on business than life when you compare the figures.

I'm not trying to be heartless, but why should the government give anything? Do they give money for any other deaths (unrelated to floods) that occur?

If you're a Red Shirt, compensation goes up from the 25,000 baht for the flood victims to 10,000,000 baht for participating in an insurrection.

Edited November 4, 2011 by Buchholz

[Bakseedaa]

...Bt25,000 compensation would be granted in the event of loss of life, and Bt50,000 if it is the breadwinner," she said.

Jeez - That is actually insulting, wouldn't even cover the costs of a funeral. So how many TV members feel that 1'000 GBP is a good approximation for the value of their or their loved ones lives. Shows that more value os placed on business than life when you compare the figures.

More than enough.... we are not in The UK ... this is Thailand .. let them reap what they sowed............!!

[siampolee]

Oh, as an aside, just so as to help the little people more the free electricity unit level of 90 units is going to be cut back to 50 units now in the governments valiant effort to assist the most vulnerable in society.

P.T.P (Personal Thaksin Property) style demo(n)cracy policies..

Edited November 4, 2011 by siampolee

[siampolee]

Bakseedaa # 8

More than enough.... we are not in The UK ... this is Thailand .. let them reap what they sowed............!!

The greater majority of Thai's didn't vote for the current government

The P.T.P. (Personal Thaksin Property) actually received 48.41% of the total votes cast. See the link below for full information

http://en.wikipedia...._election,_2011

Edited November 4, 2011 by siampolee

[DrKillpatient]

History repeats its self when Rome burnt to the ground Nero played the fiddle Bangkok floods the Thai government are on the fiddle