Govt allocates BT5 billion for flood prevention projects in 31 provinces

BANGKOK, April 30 (TNA) – Thai Deputy Permanent Secretary for Interior Minister Pracha Terat said Monday the government has allocated 5.085 billion baht to finance 119 flood prevention projects in 31 provinces. Pracha told reporters that of the sum, 1.817 billion baht will go to 10 upstream provinces, 1.587 billion baht to 14 midstream provinces and 1.681 billion baht to seven downstream provinces. He said over 80 percent of the projects have been procured and all of them are expected to be completed within July as scheduled. Pracha also assured that these projects are free of corruption, noting that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra during her recent trips to follow up the progress of the projects ordered concerned officials to ensure accountable and transparent implementation of the projects. He denied reports that aides of a minister are demanding bribes or lobbying for project procurement contracts, stressing that corrupt officials, if found, would be punished. (TNA)