The caretaker government should maintain tradition and strictly comply with the constitution by not transferring top officials, particularly permanent secretaries, while a new government is in the process of taking charge of the country's administration, Pheu Thai Party deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai said on Friday.
In a statement, he reminded the caretaker government under Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha that it is duty-bound to follow the constitution, which prohibits it from approving any project that could create tied-over responsibilities for the new government as well as from transferring or appointing high-level officials.
"Doing so may affect the new government's efforts to implement its policies," he said, saying that it would not be reasonable to claim that they are near to mandatory retirement, as it is not yet the end of the fiscal year, he added.
Mr Phumtham said it is necessary for the new government to implement its policies which have been presented to the people, starting from the first day of taking office.
Government officials, he said, are very important mechanisms needed to steer these policies into practice, especially ones concerning the country's economic problems involving all business groups that must be quickly dealt with.
Permanent secretaries in all ministries, in particular, are the most important for helping the new government get started, he said.
Addressing the permanent secretaries, Mr Phumtham said: "In order for the new government to quickly achieve its objectives, it is necessary that you initially delay the appointment of high-level officials and wait for the new government to introduce the new policies."
Deputy government spokeswoman Tipanan Sirichana responded to Mr Phumtham by reassuring Pheu Thai that the caretaker government is carefully adhering to the provisions outlined in the constitution regarding the transfer and removal of officials in government agencies, state enterprises or businesses in which the government is a major shareholder.
Concerning permanent secretaries, the cabinet can only approve the appointment of an individual selected to succeed a retiring permanent secretary, as proposed by the respective ministry.
Following cabinet approval, that name will be forwarded to the Election Commission for its consideration, as is required by the constitution, she said.
The caretaker government will be extremely careful to ensure no added burdens are left for the incoming administration, she added.
Meanwhile, Gen Prayut said the transfer of any high-level government officials will be carried out within the proper timeframe. However, he said he had not seen the Pheu Thai statement expressing concern about this matter.
Pheu Thai is currently leading efforts to form a new coalition government after the Move Forward Party's nomination of Pita Limjaroenrat for the post of prime minister failed to get parliamentary endorsement in a joint vote last month.