Govt targets rice wrongdoers

Govt targets rice wrongdoers

Seeks further redress after Yingluck ruling

The government is holding ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra's feet to the fire for 35.7 billion baht in damages - and now will figure out who to bill for the other 142.87 billion. (Post Today photos)
The government is holding ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra's feet to the fire for 35.7 billion baht in damages - and now will figure out who to bill for the other 142.87 billion. (Post Today photos)

The government is considering seeking additional compensation for the remaining losses of the 142 billion baht rice pledging scheme from state officials and private sector people who were involved.

The move came after the panel considering compensation, chaired by Manas Jamveha, director-general of the Comptroller-General's Department, ruled that former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra must pay 35.7 billion baht for losses in the scheme which operated during her tenure.

The government spokesman, Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd, said Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam explained to the cabinet on Tuesday the compensation amount requested from Ms Yingluck accounts for only 20% of the 178.5 billion baht in losses.

For the remaining 80% or 142.87 billion baht, further investigations would be needed to determine those responsible. An initial probe found a number of state officials and private operators were involved in more than 850 irregular cases in connection with the scheme covering 33 provinces. Those involved may be obligated to pay compensation if the probe finds that they are guilty.

"In addition, further investigations will be conducted to find additional parties at the policy-maker level who may be responsible for the remaining damages," said Maj Gen Sansern.

The cabinet assigned the Centre for National Anti-Corruption (CNAC) to bring together anti-graft and law enforcement agencies to investigate those involved with the offences.

The agencies include the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Anti-Money Laundering Office, the Department of Special Investigation and the Office of the Auditor-General.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said after the cabinet meeting that state officials, ranging from high to mid-level officials, must be held responsible for the remaining 80% of the losses.

For the case of Ms Yingluck he said Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong would have to sign the administrative order seeking compensation as the law does not require his authorisation, as he is the head of the committee probing the case.

A government source said that under the Tort Liability by Officer Act, the liability ratio by state officials is clearly determined. In terms of damages, the policy-maker or highest commander is responsible for 20%, a committee which undertakes the project is responsible for 60% and the rest are the responsibility of officials at the operation level.

This is the reason Ms Yingluck has to pay for 20% of the total losses, the source said.

On Saturday, the committee pursuing civil liabilities against wrongdoers in the state sector announced Ms Yingluck was liable to pay compensation of 35.7 billion baht for her role in the scheme that led to huge losses during the 2013-14 rice crop.

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