Rice-pledge probe panel gets 30-day extension
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A 30-day extension has been granted for one of the committees probing the rice-pledging scheme and the part allegedly played by former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, said Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
He said Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha and Finance Ministry Apisak Tantivorawong approved the 30-day extension yesterday.
The government had assigned two fact-finding committees, one under the Finance Ministry and the other under the Commerce Ministry, to look into the damage caused by the controversial scheme implemented by Yingluck’s government.
The first committee, under the Finance Ministry, has been probing the damage allegedly caused by Yingluck, but it asked for an extension of the deadline, which was yesterday.
Wissanu said the extension was granted as witness lists need to be submitted for consideration.
The damage caused by the scheme had initially been estimated at Bt500 billion. The government decided to proceed with the issuance of an administrative order as part of its civil liability enforcement against certain individuals, including Yingluck.
The fact-finding process was the first step. Once the damages were determined, the committees would pass the findings to the civil liability committee to propose that the responsible agencies issue an order. All those under investigation have the right to defend themselves in the administrative court.
