DSI probes graft allegations in govt's rice-pledging scheme
Play
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is investigating complaints of corruption in the government's rice-pledging scheme.
Vichai Kruetreepradit, senior executive vice president of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) said yesterday that the DSI has asked for information on all customers participating in the rice-pledging programme.
“We will provide full cooperation,” he said.
The BAAC has paid about Bt146 billion to farmers who’ve presented the certification documents issued by the Public Warehouse Organisation and the Agricultural Extension Department for the 2011-12 growing season.
“The amount of money is for 9.6 million tonnes of rice,” Vichai said.
In Ayutthaya, police chief Maj-General Anurak Taengkasem said officers had since last week inspected 26 rice warehouses in collaboration with the DSI officials.
Pol Lt-Colonel Pong-in Intarakhao, who heads the DSI Bureau of Security Crime, said the investigation has not yet found any evidence of irregularities.
“If we find grounds of corruption, we will take tough actions against wrongdoers,” he said.
An informed source said the Commerce Ministry has been planning to seek a big loan to finance the rice-pledging scheme for the 2012-13 season.
“The issue will be raised at the Cabinet meeting next Tuesday,” the source said.
The loan would be as high as Bt260 billion. In total, the budget for the scheme would be around Bt410 billion.
“The difference will be shouldered by the proceeds the Commerce Ministry will get by selling rice in its stock,” the source said.
