Draft bill to set up land bank approved by NRC

The NRC committee on the reform of society, community, children, women, the elderly, handicapped and underprivileged plans to improve the proposed bill in seven days before submitting it for Cabinet to consider.

The NRC also approved a report by two committees on community rights regarding land management via community title deeds. A total of 130 voted in support of the report while 60 voted no and 26 abstained.

Earlier Monday, NRC deputy chairperson Tassana Boonthong received a letter from members of People Movement for a Just Society (P-Move), who supported the setting up of a land bank and community title deeds. However, the group objected to the Community Forest Act, saying its content was changed from an original version submitted by the people’s sector.

The land bank is a mechanism that would be set up under the Finance Ministry to ensure just and sustainable land distribution. It would aim to find plots of land for 100,000 farmers and underprivileged people in its first five years and 300,000 others in 10 years. Initial capital of Bt5 billion would come from the government and the issuing of state bonds. It would be set up this year – if the plan is approved by Cabinet and the National Legislative Assembly.