House panel to probe flood relief graft

[Coss]

The House committee on prevention and suppression of corruption will investigate alleged corruption involving state officials in the distribution of the 5,000 baht cash relief payment to flood victims, panel chairman Wilas Chantarapitak said on Thursday.

 

Mr Wilas, a Democrat MP for Bangkok, said people's complaints reaching the committee suggested there had been graft in several forms in the distribution of the money, being paid under a cabinet resolution to provide financial relief for flood-hit people.

 

According to the complaints, [color:red]many people who were not entitled to the money were put on the list of recipients, and administrative officials deducted a sum from each 5,000 baht for themselves.[/color]

 

Survival kit bags from various government and private agencies were also reported to have been opened by relatives or associates of local officials responsible for their distribution. Some items in the bags were taken out and sold.

 

Mr Wilas said the committee sent a letter to the Interior Ministry and five or six other agencies asking for information about this practice, but so far none of them had replied.

 

Members of the committee would go to areas mentioned in the complaints and investigate. The committee would also contact MPs of various parties in the areas for information.

 

If the complaints were found to have grounds, the committee would ask the National Anti-Corruption Commission to take action, he said.

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[TheCorinthian]

It's funny. I guy over here in State said that is why the US only gave $50,000. They knew what ever they gave at least 50% would be stolen.

[pasathai1]

too late now, the money is gone