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WICHIT CHANTANUSORNSIRI
A government coupon programme to help the poor cope with soaring food and energy costs could be run for six to 12 months, according to Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee.
''This is a temporary measure to help ease the transition for the poor until their revenues begin to increase,'' he said yesterday.
The welfare programme would give the poor coupons that could be exchanged for food and basic household products.
Dr Surapong said some measures were needed to help poor people cope with inflation, which hit a 10-year high in May at 7.6% year-on-year.
Officials of the Budget Bureau, the Fiscal Policy Office and the National Economic and Social Development Board are studying details of the programme, including who should be eligible, the amount offered each month and how coupons can be exchanged for products.
Distribution could involve using electronic national ID cards as a form of cash card. For rural areas or people without electronic cards, direct cash handouts or physical coupons could be used instead.
Dr Surapong acknowledged that no programme could fully guard against abuse, but said authorities would require participants to register for eligibility. Community leaders and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives could also be used to verify an applicant's financial position to determine eligibility.
According to the NESDB, 6.1 million people nationwide were under the poverty line in 2006, or 9.55% of the population. The poverty line is defined as monthly earnings below 1,386 baht.
Meanwhile, authorities plan to host a massive sales exhibition from July 17-20 at Impact Muang Thong Thani.
Dr Surapong said that more than one million people were expected to attend the sale, which is expected to generate transactions of three billion baht.
The sale is being supported by the government to help consumers purchase goods at wholesale prices. NGV (natural gas for vehicle) kits will be offered at less than 35,000 baht, or nearly half current market prices.
Dr Surapong said applications would open from Tuesday for exhibition space at the sale from manufacturers and retailers. Space will be offered at cost to reduce expenses for exhibitors.
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