A rice-pledging scheme investigation panel seeking financial compensation from ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra has concluded the programme did not cause damage to the state.
However, the committee found Ms Yingluck committed dereliction of duty.
A Finance Ministry committee chaired by Jirachai Moontongroy began the investigation under an administrative order in April last year.
Mr Jirachai, a deputy permanent secretary to the Prime Minister's Office, said Wednesday the probe looked into two issues: Ms Yingluck's role in overseeing and monitoring her government's rice-pledging scheme; and the earlier estimated loss of 518 billion baht which was calculated by the Finance Ministry sub-committee overseeing the scheme's accounting.
- Earlier report: Bad news for Yingluck
Mr Jirachai said the panel agreed with the National Anti-Corruption Commission's findings that Ms Yingluck was negligent in failing to stop corruption in the rice scheme.
However, he said the committee did not regard the rice-pledging price at 15,000 baht a tonne under the scheme, which was much higher than market price of around 9,000 baht at the time, as damaging to the country.
This is because the rice price margin was considered beneficial to farmers and, in implementing the scheme, state officials were also considered to be performing their duty and following government policy.
Mr Jirachai also said his panel disagreed with the ministry sub-committee which added interest to the losses incurred by the rice scheme because it was not a programme designed for commercial purposes.
"We do not consider the scheme as being for commercial purposes but state administration for the people's benefit so it is not considered as damaging [to the state]," he said.
He declined to state whether his panel would propose an estimated loss amount to be sought from Ms Yingluck, saying the conclusions drawn by his committee would be sent to Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.