Projects proposed under the Finance Ministry's Covid-19 economic recovery spending plan came under fire during a House session yesterday after lawmakers claimed the cost of the proposed projects exceeded the money available.
The House of Representatives yesterday considered an urgent motion to form a special House committee to scrutinise the spending.
The motion was tabled by six MPS from the Democrat Party with support from some Bhumjaithai MPs.
The Democrats argued the spending, especially the 400 billion baht fund earmarked for economic recovery in the aftermath of the pandemic, requires close monitoring to ward off corruption.
After the debate, a 49-member committee was set up to examine the spending of the budget, within its 120-day time frame.
The Finance Ministry is overseeing a plan to borrow about 1 trillion baht to help people affected by the pandemic, repair the financial system, and restore economic security.
An executive decree authorising the borrowing was passed by MPs on May 31.
Of the 1 trillion baht, 600 billion has been set aside for financial aid and health-related plans for those whose jobs and businesses have been affected.
The remaining 400 billion is for economic and social rehabilitation via projects aimed at creating jobs, strengthening communities and building infrastructure.
On May 31, MPs also approved a second decree worth 500 billion baht to help affected SMEs and a third decree worth 400 billion for a bond stabilisation fund.
During yesterday's House session, Democrat MP for Trang, Sathit Wong- nongtoey, said more than 38,000 projects have been proposed under the 400-billion-baht fund under the first decree so far.
These projects are worth an estimated 783 billion baht, nearly twice as high as the fund available for them, Mr Sathit said.
Some proposed projects involve buying overpriced television sets while other projects have requested money to build billboards or for landscaping.
This has raised suspicion about collusion between provincial authorities and contractors, Mr Sathit said.
Jirat Thongsuwan, Move Forward Party MP for Chachoengsao, questioned the merits of the proposed projects, saying several proposals were not intended for the purpose of economic recovery.
He expressed concern that the 400-billion-baht fund would end up being wasted.