Probe into sub-panel 'graft' on cardsThe House committee on laws, justice and human rights will decide whether to launch a probe into alleged extortion by MPs sitting on a sub-panel scrutinising the 2021 expenditure budget, the committee chairman Sira Jenjaka says. The allegation was made by Sakda Wichiensilp, director-general of the Groundwater Resources Department while he was reportedly defending his agency's budget allocation to the sub-panel. Mr Sira said yesterday the scandal has severely tarnished the reputation of the sub-panel as a whole. "If the House committee on laws agrees to initiate a probe, it would set in motion the first step towards finding the truth," he said. Several House sub-panels have been established to examine the bill on the 3.3-trillion-baht budget slated for the next fiscal year starting in October.

Source: Bangkok Post August 13, 2020 00:56 UTC