NLA targets Bt17-billion reduction
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Budget committee proposes biggest slash for central govt budget; transport, defence and tourism to also see cuts
The National Legislative Assembly is seeking to reduce the annual national budget bill for fiscal 2015 by making cuts in many areas – including defence, education and tourism promotion.
NLA president Pornpetch Vichitcholchai will convene a meeting of the assembly on Tuesday at 1pm to consider the Bt2.57 trillion bill. The next fiscal year begins on October 1.
The assembly’s budget committee has targeted a total budget reduction of Bt16.8 billion. The top five areas to be affected by the proposed budget cuts include the central government budget, which would be cut by Bt6.2 billion. The cut would affect the salary adjustment of some officials.
The proposed cut for the Transport Ministry is Bt1.6 billion. This would affect, among other things, seminars, training, hiring consultants and conducting environmental impact assessment studies.
The state enterprises budget would be cut by Bt1 billion, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s budget would have Bt32 million slashed from the originally proposed Bt6.5 billion. This would affect expanding the base of quality tourists and the development of tourism competitiveness.
The Sports Authority of Thailand may lose Bt893,200 of the Bt3.7 billion originally proposed. This would affect the budget for Asean-level development of athletes.
The National Housing Authority could lose Bt37 million of Bt920 million. This would impact the development of strong low-income communities and the repair budget for NHA buildings.
As for farmers, the support fund for rubber farmers would be reduced by Bt750,000 while the Interior Ministry budget would be cut by Bt1 billion, impacting on construction projects, seminars and training, including overseas exposure trips for officials, and community planning in bordering areas.
As for the Education Ministry, the proposed cut is Bt919 million and would mostly affect seminars and training, overseas trips and the construction of dormitory and classrooms.
For the Defence Ministry, a Bt550-million cut is proposed from Bt193 billion originally proposed. The Royal Aide de Camp Department may lose Bt3.1 million.
Six projects of the Army could lose Bt435 million while the Air Force may have Bt7.1 million stripped from its Bt1.9-billion budget.
The assembly’s budget committee will also note that the various agencies need to coordinate their work to avoid additional expenditure.
