B105 bln approved for rice-pledging

B105 bln approved for rice-pledging

CHACHOENGSAO - The cabinet on Sunday approved the Commerce Ministry's proposal for a budget of 105 billion baht for use in the rice-pledging scheme for the off-season produce of the 2012-2013 crop year, government spokesman Tossaporn Serirak said.

Supporters give Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra roses during her visit to a market near Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan before chairing a mobile cabinet meeting in Chachoengsao. (Photo by Thanarak Khoonton)

Mr Tossaporn said that under the proposed criteria, the moisture of paddy to be pledged under the scheme must not exceed 15%.

The pledging prices vary from the maximum of 15,000 baht per tonne for 100% paddy to lower amounts according to grades and quality.

The amount of rice fixed for the second-crop pledging is 7 million tonnes, he said, adding that the expenditure is covered by the government's 410 billion baht framework for rice pledging approved in 2011.

Each farmer can pledge their rice for not more than two times a year and the age of the rice to be pledged must not be less than 110 days to ensure its quality.

The pledging period is from February to Sept 16, 2013.

Rice mills which are found to have not properly followed the criteria set by the Commerce Ministry would be banned from joining the pledging scheme for three to five years.

The cabinet has also approved a proposal to extend for another six months limited free bus and train rides to help alleviate the growing cost of living, he said.

The free bus ride is provided by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) with 800 ordinary buses per day on 73 routes in the capital city and nearby provinces.

The free train ride is provided by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) with 164 third class long-distance trains per day.

The cabinet set aside 2.06 billion baht as compensation for the BMTA and SRT.

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