In a recent development, the government has come forward to defend its decision to establish a new sub-committee to vet the digital wallet scheme. Kittirat Na Ranong, chief adviser to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, stated that this approach is common and inclusive for projects of this nature, contrary to accusations that the government is simply buying time.
The formation of the sub-committee comes after suggestions from the Council of State and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to finalize the scheme’s details and allow related agencies to scrutinize it over the next 30 days. Mr. Kittirat emphasized that the sub-committee would diligently assess the policy and its budget, as the 10,000-baht handout has not been included in the 2024 fiscal year budget.
During a recent meeting, Prime Minister Srettha expressed his desire for the scheme to be transparent and beneficial for the public. Recognizing concerns about the slow recovery of the economy following the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr. Srettha highlighted that the government is considering additional policies to reduce expenses, increase income, suspend debt, and stimulate foreign investment and the tourism sector.
The Move Forward Party (MFP), through its MP-list Sirikanya Tansakul, expressed apprehension about the repeated delays in implementing the digital handouts, stressing that it could lead to economic uncertainty. Meanwhile, Democrat MP Jurin Laksanawisit criticized the continually revised deadlines, hinting at potential doubts over the scheme’s legality and the government’s reluctance to repeat past mistakes.
As the general meeting sessions in the House are set to conclude on April 9, Mr. Jurin questioned whether the first reading of the scheme would meet the deadline. Despite these concerns, the government remains committed to ensuring a thorough and transparent evaluation of the digital wallet program before its implementation.
FAQs:
1. Why has the government established a sub-committee to vet the digital wallet scheme?
The government has established a sub-committee to vet the digital wallet scheme in order to finalize its details and allow related agencies to scrutinize it over the next 30 days. This is a common and inclusive approach for projects of this nature.
2. What is the purpose of the sub-committee?
The sub-committee will diligently assess the policy and its budget, as the 10,000-baht handout has not been included in the 2024 fiscal year budget. Its purpose is to ensure transparency and a thorough evaluation of the digital wallet program before its implementation.
3. What are the government’s concerns regarding the economy?
The government recognizes concerns about the slow recovery of the economy following the Covid-19 pandemic. In response, they are considering additional policies to reduce expenses, increase income, suspend debt, and stimulate foreign investment and the tourism sector.
4. What are some of the concerns raised by MPs regarding the digital handouts?
The Move Forward Party (MFP) has expressed apprehension about the repeated delays in implementing the digital handouts, as it could lead to economic uncertainty. Democrat MP Jurin Laksanawisit has criticized the continually revised deadlines, hinting at potential doubts over the scheme’s legality and the government’s reluctance to repeat past mistakes.
5. Will the first reading of the scheme meet the deadline?
There are concerns about whether the first reading of the scheme will meet the deadline as the general meeting sessions in the House are set to conclude on April 9. However, the government remains committed to ensuring a thorough and transparent evaluation of the digital wallet program before its implementation.
Definitions:
– Digital wallet scheme: This refers to a program or initiative implemented by the government that involves using digital wallets as a means of distributing financial aid or subsidies to the public.
– Sub-committee: A smaller committee formed within a larger committee or organization to handle specific tasks or matters related to a particular project or issue.
– Fiscal year: A period of time used for accounting and financial purposes, typically consisting of 12 months. The 2024 fiscal year refers to the designated year for financial planning and budgeting.
– Covid-19 pandemic: The global outbreak of the coronavirus disease in 2019, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Suggested Related Links:
– Government Website
– Council of State
– National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)
– Move Forward Party (MFP)
The source of the article is from the blog regiozottegem.be