FORMER deputy prime minister Wisanu Krua-Ngam defended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from accusation that the policy statement she delivered to Parliament was incomplete because the source of national revenue was not mentioned pointing out that a brief mention is enough, TV Channel 7 said late afternoon today (Sep. 26).
This arose after an anonymous person petitioned the Election Commission (EC) that not giving an explanation on the source of government revenue is a violation of the Section 162 of the constitution.
However Wisanu, currently a member of the Council of State, said the policy statement did touch on this subject and this very same objection had been raised when former prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was at the helm. An explanation was then given that just a mention is enough.
“Just saying a few words, half a line, or anything is enough. The constitution does not say that everything must be written down, where the revenue is coming from and how much it is,” he said.
Asked whether it is acceptable to not mention the source of national revenue in the policy statement, Wisanu replied that the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) and the Budget Bureau had been preparing the national budget for years now and already know what should be included but it is just that some people failed to find it.
He emphasised that there is no need for the government to deliver a new policy statement to Parliament.
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Top and Front Page: Former deputy prime minister Wisanu Krua-Ngam. Photos: Thai Rath
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