Chalermchai to propose Bt30-billion water management project to Cabinet
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on will propose to the Cabinet a Bt30-billion water management project as part of a Bt400-million agricultural recovery plan.
Chalermchai said this “small project” must go ahead immediately on receiving Cabinet approval.
The project will focus on digging canals to create more water retention and distribution channels, also hiring people who have lost their jobs during the pandemic to carry out the task instead of using machines.
“The Royal Irrigation Department is the only organisation under the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry that can start employing jobless people. So the Bt400-billion budget will be spent to create jobs,” Chalermchai said. “The department has already hired 50,000 workers and this Bt30-billion project can raise that number.”
Of the money spent, Bt33.7 billion went to projects dealing with agriculture, Bt27.91 billion went for irrigation development, Bt14.82 billion for water resources development, Bt4.67 billion to increase the potential of irrigation, and Bt2.25 billion to develop water infrastructure.
Some 575 Royal Irrigation Department buildings also needed to be repaired due to inundation, with Bt1.14 billion being spent, while Bt319.27 million is being used to cover equipment damage and another Bt6.95 billion to repair machines that were destroyed or to purchase new ones.