Senate launches debate attacking rice-pledging policy

General debate on the policy opened in the Senate yesterday and up to 56 senators offered to speak on the subject. The second round of the debate will be held on Wednesday. Ministers such as PM’s Office Minister Varathep Ratanakorn, Science Minister Woravat Auapinyakul and Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul were at hand to respond to the motion. 

 

During the debate, Senator Paiboon Nititawan said the rice policy was not transparent enough and only allowed a few farmers to benefit. 

 

For instance, farmers in the Northeast were losing out because, owing to the drought crisis, they do not have enough of a harvest to join the scheme, he explained. The policy is only benefiting rich farmers in the Central region because their harvests are large enough to make them eligible for the scheme, the senator said. 

 

In addition, he said, the administration has failed to disclose details of the government-to-government rice-trading contracts other than saying that a large amount had been sold. The senator went on to say that there might be some irregularities in the government’s rice-price pledging project, noting that he would work with the national anti-graft body to scrutinise the project. 

 

Paiboon also called on the government to produce these contracts at the next debate if it did not have anything to hide. 

 

This debate opened two days before the opposition Democrat Party launches its censure debate tomorrow. Deputy House speaker Charoen Jankomol yesterday called on opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to submit documents and evidence in advance so the House Speaker can ensure the debate takes place smoothly.