Key panels ordered to come up with rehab plans

Representatives from the Strategic Committee for Reconstruction and Future Development (SCRF) and Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management (SCWRM) were summoned to Government House for a meeting with the premier that lasted for about 45 minutes.
Over the past two months, floods have ravaged dozens of provinces, submerging seven industrial estates, disrupting many businesses and ravaging the homes of millions.
“The international community is watching us now,” Yingluck said.
To date, the two committees have had different views on flood prevention.
SCRF secretary Arkhom Termpittayapaisith is interested in building roads in low-lying areas, which can be open to traffic during the dry season and serve as floodways during the wet season.
Dr Royol Chitdon from SCWRM, meanwhile, wants to stick with the floodways recommended by His Majesty a long time ago.  During the current flood crisis, only 40 per cent of the existing floodways, which rely on Dan, Phraong Chao Chaiyanichit and Bang Pakong canals, are usable.
“We plan to stick to that route, but make sure at least 80 per cent of the stretch is functional. Our committee has no plan to expropriate land to build new floodways,” Royol said.
However, according to Arkom, laws controlling the usage of land may be necessary to prevent such crises in the future.
“We have not reached any conclusions yet,” he explained.
In a related development, Office of the Government Pawnshop said it would relax its rules so as to ease people’s burden during the flood crisis. People will be given six months to redeem their items instead of five months and 15-days of interest will be waived in certain cases.