Monday, September 7, 2009

PACC links 4 groups to graft scandal

       Four groups have been identified as having links to scandal-plagued community sufficiency projects in Bangkok's Bang Kapi district, the Public Sector AntiCorruption Commission says.
       PACC secretary-general Tharit Pengdit yesterday said a preliminary investigation had found local politicians, district officials, Sufficiency Economy Office for Community Development (SEO) staff and four companies had been involved in irregularities in the sufficiency projects in Bang Kapi district.
       The SEO is responsible for granting funds to community projects under the Sufficiency Economy for Community Development Programme.
       The PACC's investigation followed complaints about alleged irregularities in sufficiency projects countrywide, and accusations that politicians and government officials were involved.
       The investigation found a Bang Kapi district councillor had acted as a broker,arranging the purchase of equipment for the communities without seeking the consent of local people as required by law.
       District councillors were also found to have falsified documents.
       Officials attached to the Bang Kapi district office's community development office were found to have neglected their responsibilities by allowing politicians to become involved in the procurement plans.
       The two SEO officials found involved in the irregularities have been dismissed from office.
       The last group involved four private firms found to have supplied substandard and overpriced equipment to the communities, Mr Tharit said.
       Puea Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit yesterday led Din Daeng residents in filing a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division asking it to look into alleged corruption in community projects being undertaken in Din Daeng and other districts in Bangkok.

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