Posted by Following a marathon five-day debate, the 2011 Budget Bill got the nod in the House of Representatives yesterday with an overwhelming number of votes.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva thanked the MPs who voted in support of the bill and promised that the government would spend the funds in a fair and transparent manner as well as in a way that provides the maximum benefit to the people.
The Lower House voted 253-178 to pass the government-sponsored bill, with 14 abstentions. Twenty-one MPs did not vote.
While coalition partners showed the strong support that was expected, some opposition MPs from Pracharaj Party were seen voting in favour of the bill. Many of those who abstained came from the opposition Pheu Thai Party and the Puea Pandin Party faction that was recently expelled from the coalition. Many of them are expected to join Bhum Jai Thai or Democrat Party ahead of the general election next year.
In addition, many of those who abstained are Cabinet members who would be violating the Constitution by voting on matters that are in their interest.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva thanked the MPs who voted in support of the bill and promised that the government would spend the funds in a fair and transparent manner as well as in a way that provides the maximum benefit to the people.
The Budget Bill will be forwarded to the Senate, which will vote on whether or not to approve it, House SpeakerChai Chidchob said. He added that the Upper House had 20 days to make a decision, but that it had no authority to amend the bill.
Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej said yesterday that the Upper House would debate on the Budget Bill on September 6. He added that senators who want to take to the floor are handing in their applications, and the exact number of debaters will be determined on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, coalition chief whip Witthaya Kaewparadai said yesterday that too much time had been spent debating the budget bill and that it should have ended the night before if the Opposition had cooperated.
He complained that Opposition whips and MPs repeatedly went off in tangents during the meeting. Witthaya said that despite its House majority, the coalition did not want to always force decisions through.
Opposition chief whip Witthaya Buranasiri said yesterday that once the bill has been passed, his side would monitor the spending of the funds to ensure transparency.
News item courtesy of The Nation at www.nationmultimedia.com
