Cabinet mulls rehabilitation plan
A budget request for tens of billions of baht to be spent on post-flood restoration and rehabilitation projects is to be submitted to the Cabinet for approval today.
The money will be disbursed through three committees: one on general flood relief, one on quality of life and another on rehabilitation, each chaired by a Cabinet member.
The projects, which received initial approval yesterday at a two-hour meeting at Government House of the three ministers in charge, are required to be completed by December 2012, said government spokesperson Thitima Chaisaeng.
Under the panel working on rehabilitation, chaired by Transport Minister Sukampol Suwannathat, Bt384 million will be spent on general repairs to infrastructure at government offices, Bt1.59 billion on historic sites and ancient temples, Bt1.43 billion on schools and universities, and Bt5.9 billion on waterways and waterworks mechanisms.
Under the panel working on quality of life, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Kowit Wattana, six ministers will oversee the spending of Bt2.26 billion on 14 projects of the Social Development and Human Security Ministry; Bt778 million on 12 Education Ministry projects; Bt1.98 billion on six Labour Ministry projets; and Bt1.64 billion on Interior Ministry projects.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has ordered grand “Big Cleaning Day” events to be held in 25 flooded provinces from Thursday to Sunday, Thitima said.
Yingluck and Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, who chairs the panel on general flood relief, will visit Songkhla’s Hat Yai area for an inspection visit on December 2.
