Thai govt approves 50-bln-baht fund for low-income earners

BANGKOK, May 10 (TNA) -- The Cabinet on Tuesday gave a nod to the establishment of a support fund for low-income earners with a budget of 50 billion baht and also extended the free bus and train service scheme for another five months, after which privilege cards will be issued to low-income earners to entitle them to fare exemptions. Advisor to the Prime Minister’s Office Minister Nattaporn Jatusripitak disclosed that the Cabinet agreed with the Finance Ministry’s proposal to set up the fund with the budget of 50 billion baht. The fund will take care of the impoverished by seeking to uplift their quality of life, support their career development, alleviate their hardships, provide them with health insurance. The Bureau of Budget will allocate the budget of 46 billion baht for the fund. Low-income earners will be able to access to the welfare through the privilege cards from Oct 1 onwards. Kobsak Pootrakool, Vice Minister for the Prime Minister's Office said people, who earn less than 100,000 baht a year are allowed to register with the authority until May 15 and the next round of the registration will be opened again next year. They will be given cards to receive the government welfare, including free bus and train service. The government ordered the Transport Ministry to expedite issuing the cards and putting in place the system. Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong said the ministry will collect the data of registered low income earners, including their living places and occupations to provide assistance that suits their needs with an aim to reduce inequality in the Thai society and raise people’s quality of life. Concurrently, the Cabinet agreed with the proposed five-month extension of the free bus and train program, consequently keeping it in effect from May 1-September 30, 2017. A budget of 1.9 billion baht has also been approved for the extended scheme, comprising 1.54 billion baht for the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority and 367 million baht for the State Railway of Thailand. After its expiration at the end of September, low-income earners, who carry the welfare cards will be able to continue to commute free of charge from Oct 1 onwards. (TNA)