Some NRC members happy with revised charter draft
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Representatives of National Reform Council (NRC) groups said they are satisfied with the revised version of the draft charter, which includes some of the changes they recommended.
The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) yesterday held a meeting with four groups of the NRC to hear and acknowledge changes on the draft before submitting its final version to the NRC on Saturday.
After the meeting, representatives of the NRC said the CDC had followed many proposals suggested by them.
Poldej Pinprateep, spokesman of the NRC administration group, said the CDC fully agreed with 31 points among the NRC’s proposals. The committee, however, only partly agreed with another 38 proposal points.
The CDC also agreed to reduce senators’ authority following their proposals. However, the CDC turned down their proposal to select the total number of senators. The CDC also agreed to not merge the National Human Rights Commission with the Ombudsman.
“I don’t think the CDC will make any changes during the remaining time [before submission]” he said. “Personally, I think this draft is more progressive than those of 1997 and 2007.”
Teerayut Lorlertrat, leader of the group, said he did not see any major problem with the revised version.
However, Teerayut expressed some concerns over overlapping authority between the National Strategic Committee, focusing on a national 20-year overall strategy, and the National Strategic Reform and Reconciliation Committee, focusing on the subject of its name.
Once established, both bodies would be led by the same group of people, according to the current draft, he said.
“I know that [the CDC] will clearly separate both functions, but I would like them to prioritise agendas on governance and development [as urgent issues]” he said, weighing in on the National Strategic Committee.
“But I agree that both of them are important and should be harmonious with each other.”
Asked if he would vote for the draft, he replied “I’m happy with it, so why not? But I will have to see the whole draft again [before making a final decision.]”
Lt-General Navin Damrigan, another NRC member and CDC spokesman, however, reassured that both bodies would be driven simultaneously.
“Our country needs continuation, and we need firm strategies to guide our directions.” he said.
Somchai Ruchupan, who led the NRC group working on finance issues, said he was satisfied with the proposal to establish the National Strategic Committee. He said it was time for the country to be guided with long-term strategies and there should be an agency responsible for this task.
He said he was also happy to see the CDC set clear authorities for government agencies, so they do not have confusing roles. This ranges from regulatory authority to policy making and operations among others.
Somchai said the CDC had also responded to the NRC’s proposal to have the Finance Ministry play the part of a key agency that takes care of state enterprises on behalf of the public.
Other changes introduced by the CDC in response to the NRC’s proposals are removing the narrow definition of the national budget, as well as covering tax collection at both local and national levels as well as reforming the national pension system.
Manoon Siriwan, representative of the environment and energy group, said 70 per cent of his group’s proposal –including the removal of “political group” from the draft – received a response from the CDC.
He said his group was satisfied with the CDC’s revision because the drafters were able to maintain the draft’s major principles.
The CDC, chaired by Borwornsak Uwanno, was scheduled to meet representatives of eight groups from the NRC yesterday and today.
