“Sirikanya” points out that digital wallets may be at a dead end. Encountered a big budget problem. Recommend policy review Tell the truth about the origin of the money. I believe people understand.
Ms. Sirikanya Tansakul, list MP and deputy leader of the Progressive Party Mentioning the 10,000 baht digital wallet that will screen people who will receive the money, it is an important problem that the criteria have been adjusted to screen out rich people. Whether it is a person who receives a salary of 25,000 baht, a person who receives a salary of more than 50,000 baht, and another rule that will be distributed only to those with a state welfare card. It is clear that the government will definitely have financial problems to use with the digital wallet project. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the number of people receiving benefits. Even though I tried to reduce it. But there are still approximately 43-49 million people receiving money here. If it is 43 million people, the budget is 430,000 million baht, which the 2024 budget is not enough in one year. Therefore, the opportunity to use the budget for the year 2024 is quite small and there is another proposal that it will be used as a binding budget, committing 100,000 million baht per year for 4 years. It is even more clear that After having calculated It shows that the 2024 budget has room for a digital wallet project of only 100,000 million baht. And in the case where it is necessary to be committed for up to 4 years, it means that some stores will not receive cash immediately. and have to wait to exchange it every fiscal year This part will affect stores that may not have enough incentives. who need cash to circulate in their own stores and do not participate in the project
“Therefore, it reinforces that the digital wallet project We’ve reached a dead end. Unable to provide State Bank or Government Savings Bank This project can be carried out first. Because the main limitation is a large stump. That is the matter of the budget and where the money will come from. But adjusting the conditions this time It must also be considered whether the original objectives and expected results of the project are still being met. If everything is changed, there may be a need to reconsider the entire policy,” Ms. Sirikanya said.
Ms. Sirikanya said that for screening people with a salary of 25,000 baht and those with deposits In fact, the number can only be reduced to 13 million people. If it is people with a salary of more than 50,000 baht, it can only be reduced to 7 million people, so in reality it doesn’t help much. In terms of saving the budget This is a big problem that the government must consider what to do next.
“But in the end Going back to option 3, which is only available to people who have a state welfare card. It was clearly written that It may not even stimulate the economy. It may be just to help with the cost of living. to people with low incomes or those holding state welfare cards instead This is starting to change the format of the project. Changing the purpose clearly changes the people who will receive it. Therefore, if we maintain only the form of distributing money But the objective was not as stated. It is necessary to review. Until I understand well that This policy is the policy that Pheu Thai has campaigned for. But if able to tell People can be honest about what problems they have. How is the budget not enough? He thought that the people should be able to understand. that the government has tried its best to carry out this project But there is a big obstacle and that is the budget,” Ms. Sirikanya said.
As for this project, it may be canceled or not. Ms. Sirikanya said that it is more called a change of method. Don’t call it cancelled. He understands that An emotional contract with voters or important supporters. But to achieve the same result we have several ways to go.
Will the last part just end up being a reparation project or not? Ms. Sirikanya said that we have to wait and see. Now that the budget that has been reviewed by each government agency has been completed. And it has begun to gradually be sent back to the Budget Office. Therefore, the Budget Office has information in hand on how much it can cut, reduce, or equalize the budget for 2024. It appears that it is only a hundred billion.
“Therefore, if we are not going to make a binding budget across the year, the only solution is That is, it will only be given to people with state welfare cards, so it will no longer be an economic stimulus project. Just to cover living expenses Therefore, we must tell the government that we must seriously review the objectives of this project. Don’t get stuck on the format. Let’s look at the goal more than what results we want to get. Then design policies to be more in line with that,” Ms. Sirikanya said.
However, we must wait for the full committee. There was a resolution first. The news that comes out is only the opinion of the subcommittee. We are still kind enough to give the government time to reconsider and go into every detail. Then let the large committee come up with a proposal. Propose to the Prime Minister We will continue to investigate. which many committees Waiting to be called in to discuss the details. The live thread is still waiting even though it is during the closed session. But when it opens, we will definitely talk about this matter. Ready to leave the media to ask the public Including the store that if you have to pay gradually For many fiscal years Cash will not be immediate. Are stores still participating in the project?
As for the screening part of this project, can it really be done or not? Ms. Sirikanya said that she did not want there to be confusion about this matter because it was a big problem. It is a matter of budget rather than a matter of criteria. that it will be the same criteria as people who will receive a state welfare card That is, look at income from filing with the Revenue Department. and view assets from commercial banks By notifying through the Bank of Thailand. How much is the deposit? This shouldn’t be difficult. But of course there will be mistakes in that there may be people who have a lot of income. but did not file with the Revenue Department Have other assets but do not have a deposit
As for the discussion with Krung Thai Bank, not the Government Savings Bank, Personally, I think It is more likely to discuss with Krungthai Bank about the application because Krungthai has experience in making the PaoTang app. Discussion with Government Savings Bank is impossible because of legal issues. There is not a single thing that will make the money distribution process possible. If the Government Savings Bank is still used, the law must be amended and must be passed by the parliament.
When asked if the government’s final solution might be to use the Royal Decree to implement this project, Ms. Sirikanya said that technically, the final solution is Issue of loan decree Just like during Covid, having the Ministry of Finance borrow money is the simplest technical solution. But the Constitution clearly states that a Royal Decree can only be issued if there is an urgent need. But you must ask the Debt Management Office whether they will accept the loan or not. In the case where there is no urgent reason and there is a risk of violating the constitution and in politics It must be accepted that the Royal Decree will be issued. Loans at this time that are not facing that severe economic crisis. Must encounter enormous resistance for sure. He would like to warn that if it is issued as a Royal Decree When is the loan? It may be political suicide.
Source: Thai News Agency