Graft buster find irregularities at welfare centers in 44 provinces

BANGKOK, March 12 (TNA) – Graft busters found irregularities at the protection centers for the destitute in 44 provinces while the investigation continues in 32 provinces. Assistant to the secretary-general of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Wannop Somjintanakul said that the PACC initially set a time frame to finish the investigation into 37 provinces, which received one million baht budget by the end of this month and the remaining 39 provinces by May 31. Until now, it found irregularities in 44 provinces with the budget of 97 million baht in total, accounting for 80 per cent of last year’s whole budget. Among all 44 provinces, the PACC accepted the cases in seven provinces including Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, Bung Kan, Nongkhai, Surat Thai, Trat and Nan for scrutinizing to identify the culprits. The rest of 37 provinces are being proposed for further investigation. The alleged corruption was first uncovered at a protection centre for the poor in Khon Kaen. The investigations into the welfare centers for the poor and the HIV- infected persons expand nationwide. The same similar corrupted practice was adopted and those who were entitled to the welfare fund did not receive the financial assistance or only got part of it. (TNA)