Govt promises to maintain accountability
The 3.48- trillion- bass budget bill for the 2024 governmental year passed parliament yesterday as the government promised to maintain transparency in budget spending, increase people’s livelihoods and navigate the economy ahead.
This comes as expenditure allocations earmarked for education and Marketing programmes, as well as international trips, were cut by more than 9.2 billion baht so funds may be diverted to pay for therefore- called important expenses.
The funds bill was passed by 298 vote in favour and 166 vote against, with one abstaining, in the last and next reading.
The costs will be presented for acceptance by the Senate on Tuesday. It will then be submitted for royal support and it is expected to take effect in May, according to solutions.
After the ballot, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin thanked legislators for their assistance in passing the costs.
” I would like to tell you that the budget calls approved by parliament may be spent in line with the government’s priorities and actions plans”, the prime minister said.
” The government will monitor and track budget spending to maintain transparency and reach the policy goals to support efforts to nudge economic and social development as well as increase people’s quality of life, while also protecting the environment, so the country can proceed forward and the people can make more income”.
Parliament yesterday also endorsed a proposal from the special House committee vetting the budget bill to cut government agencies ‘ spending on training programmes, seminars, PR campaigns, the hiring of advisers, contracting for service, and overseas trips by more than 9.2 billion baht.
The committee also proposed that the 9.2 billion plus baht should be diverted to fund necessary expenses of other government agencies, courts of justice and independent agencies. The proposal was also endorsed by parliament.
According to sources, the committee has also presented a number of observations and recommendations regarding the budget bill for consideration by the government.
The committee is made up of 72 members from political parties in both the government and opposition camps. It is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai of the ruling Pheu Thai Party.
The committee suggested that the government should make a serious effort to stamp out corruption so the country can have sufficient funds for national development.
It cited information from the National Anti- Corruption Commission, which found that in 2019, there were complaints about corruption in state procurement projects worth more than 200 billion baht.
Corruption will cause investors to lose confidence in the country’s civil service system, and the public will receive substandard public service, the committee noted.
” The government should devise measures to tackle corruption urgently”, it suggested.
” The National Anti- Corruption Commission, the State Audit Office, and other relevant agencies should inform the government and parliament and the special House committee vetting the budget bill every year about agencies that are accused of corruption in procurement projects”, the committee said.
The committee also suggested government agencies should explain details of their procurement projects funded by the regular national budget and those financed by off- budget money in order to curb the duplication of state projects.