Kittiratt to head loans-bill scrutiny panel
Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong was yesterday appointed chairman of the House special committee scrutinising the Bt2-trillion loan bill.
At a meeting temporarily chaired by Bhum Jai Thai party-list MP Chai Chidchob, the panel also appointed six deputy chairmen: PM’s Office Minister Varathep Ratanakorn, Pheu Thai Party member Chaturon Chaisang, Science and Technology Minister Woravat Auapinyakul, Democrat MP Korn Chatikavanij, Pheu Thai Party Nakhon Panom MP Paijit Srivarakarn and Democrat Nakhon Si Thammarat MP Withaya Kaewparadai. Pheu Thai MP Pichit Chuenban was appointed secretary to the committee.
Three spokesmen were also appointed: Pheu Thai Chiang Mai MP Chullapan Amornwiwat, State Railway of Thailand Governor Prapat Chongsanguan and Democrat party-list MP Samart Ratchapolsit.
Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt, Democrat MP Phirapan Salirattawipak and Thewan Lipta-panlop were appointed as advisers.
The committee will meet every Monday and Tuesday from 1.30pm-9pm. It will first check the legitimacy of the draft bill before the Council of State is invited to assess it.
Representatives of the National Economic and Social Development Board, the Fiscal Policy Office and the Office of State Enterprise Policy will then be summoned to explain why the government needs to borrow money for infrastructure development, its readiness to embark on the projects and expected economic benefits.
The Bank of Thailand, the Budget Bureau and Comptroller General’s Department will be invited to explain the procedures for checking the use of the funds, source of funds, and financing procedures. The Transport Ministry will be asked to explain the projects. The next meeting is set for next Tuesday.
