PROVINCIAL GOVERNORS MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IF CHEATING FOUND IN RICE PURCHASE SCANDAL

The Commerce Ministry prepares stringent measures against corruption, adding that provincial governors must take responsibility if cheating in the government’s pledge to purchase rice is found.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak (สมคิด จาตุศรีพิทักษ์) revealed that operations of many agencies have led to higher rice production, while the Department of Internal Trade’s purchasing rate has increased. He said that the Ministry must control and inspect rice mills more often, to increase transparency, as in the past, rice have been found tainted. He said that the Ministry has coordinated with the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives and related agencies to be stricter in checking corruption, so that the purchase will be transparent and farmers will receive the mot benefits. He said that if there are complaints of corruption without proper inspection from any provinces, the provincial governors of those provinces will be made responsible.

However, Mr. Somkid said that the government plans to set up Central Community rice mills in many rice-producing provinces, to solve inadequacy of rice mills. He said that once completed, the project will be under the supervision of the Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperative Ministry.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 05 January 2006

Of course they should, but it WILL NOT happen.