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Thai EC frees state funds to pay rice farmers

Thailand ’s Election Commission (EC) has approved a request by the caretaker government to use 712 million THB (almost 22 million USD) from the central budget to pay farmers under the state rice-pledging programme.
Thailand ’s Election Commission (EC)has approved a request by the caretaker government to use 712 millionTHB (almost 22 million USD) from the central budget to pay farmers underthe state rice-pledging programme.

The BangkokPost newspaper quoted Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, an EC member, as sayingthat the decision was made at the recent body’s meeting on February 25.With this decision, 3,971 farmers in Chachoengsao, Phetchabun, PrachinBuri, Uthai Thani and Ayutthaya provinces will receive payment forthe rice they sold to the government.

Earlierthe same day, the caretaker cabinet approved 20 billion THB (around 614million USD) from the same source to pay the debts owed to farmers,which also needs EC approval.

The rice subsidyscheme, introduced by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra after she tookoffice in 2011, buys rice from farmers at a higher than market price.The caretaker government, however, is facing a 130 billion THB (4billion USD) debt owed to around a million farmers.

The Thai National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has filed chargesagainst PM Yingluck accusing her of neglect of duty over the ricescheme.

The body also summoned the Prime Minister to a hearing on the charges on February 27.-VNA
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