New benchmarks for central funding

PHUKET CITY: Provincial projects must meet meet one of two new criteria if they to receive funding from the central government: profit or “communal benefit”. Speaking at Phuket Provincial Hall this morning, Gov Udomsak Usawarangkura told provincial government department chiefs that only projects that make money or that offer benefits to other provinces will be considered when it comes to the allocation of central government funding. He explained that each province would receive between 300 and 500 million baht, but that Deputy PM Bhokin Bhalakula, who will screen all proposals, will approve only projects that satisfy one of the new criteria. “We must apply for funding for worthwhile projects only, in order to get first priority in getting funds,” he told the officials. “Old-style projects will be rejected. One-off projects for a single government office will be dismissed, too.” Department chiefs in Phuket have until 4:30 pm on Tuesday to submit their proposals. Vice-Governor Winai Buapradit will be responsible for reviewing all proposals from Phuket before they are passed on to Bangkok.