Farmers upset as rice-pledging scheme stutters

But the scheme was started in seven provinces - Phichit, Chai Nat, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Pathom, Suphan Buri and Nakhon Sawan.

Kittisak Srisunthorn, manager of BAAC's Tak office, said the scheme might be started today after the bank screened the qualifications of the nine millers in the province. He affirmed the pledging price would remain at Bt14,000 per tonne for white rice with a humidity level of not more than 15 per cent.

Phitsanulok Deputy Gover-nor Sompong Arunrojpanya said the province was given just one day to prepare for the scheme, whereas the millers' association was still screening the 13 millers in the province. The scheme is now likely to start tomorrow.

Sawang Rittirong, of BAAC's Angthong office, said that though the National Rice Policy Committee's order issued on June 6 asked BAAC, the Public Warehouse Organisation and the Marketing Organisation for Farmers to work together on the rice-pledging scheme, the bank had been unable to contact officials from the two organisations. However, preparations are expected to start today and BAAC hopes to launch the scheme in Angthong on Thursday.

Democrat deputy spokesman Sathit Pitutecha yesterday voiced concern about the lack of cooperation between state agencies as a result of conflicts between the finance and commerce ministers. Also, the number of rice millers taking part in the scheme could be too few to handle the second rice harvest, he said.

Sathit said the government should also inspect weighing scales and the pledging process to ensure that farmers gained full benefit from the programme.

Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Pataraprasit insisted yesterday farmers would be able to pledge their rice at 100 points nationwide within two weeks.

"I was told that on Monday Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej will instruct more than 10 ministers to take care of the scheme to ensure fairness to all. Though many criticise this scheme and predict failure, I'm confident of its success," he said.