EC to sue anyone linked it to rice-pledging scheme
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The Election Commission (EC) is threatening to sue anyone who claims the body is responsible for the government's repeated postponement of payments to farmers through its rice-pledging scheme.
EC commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn dismissed on Friday claims the body barred the government from seeking loans to finance the scheme.
More than a million farmers across the country are owed money under the scheme.
“The EC has no mandate whatsoever on the issue,” Somchai said.
“It’s just that the Constitution prohibits a caretaker government from incurring debts that will affect the next government.”
He produced a photo of an internet message that read: “Why can’t farmers get payments from the ricepledging scheme? The EC has tried to prevent the payments.” Somchai’s picture was attached to the message.
