ID :
128009
Tue, 06/15/2010 - 19:58
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/128009
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Cabinet approves Bt100million for protest victims
BANGKOK, June 15 (TNA) – The Thai Cabinet on Tuesday approved a budget of Bt100 million (US$28 million) to assist people affected by the recent United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) anti-government protest in the capital.
Deputy government spokesman Vachara Kannikar said the Cabinet approved the Red Shirt victim relief budget as proposed by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
The ministry earlier allocated Bt40 million ($11 million) to 803 persons. The additional budget will be offered to 833 others.
The anti-government Red Shirt protesters began protesting at the capital's Ratchadamnoen Avenue in mid-March, demanding that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolve the lower house of Parliament for a fresh election.
They moved the main protest site to Ratchaprasong on April 3, forcing shopping malls, shops and offices to close and affecting business operators and retailers.
The Red Shirts ended their protest on May 19 after the military operation to retake the protest site forced a surrender by most of the UDD leadership. But some leaders fled, and some angry protesters torched nearly 40 spots including the the country's largest shopping mall, and shops high-end shopping areas in Siam Sqaure.
In addition, the Cabinet also approved tax measures to promote a culture of reading as proposed by the Education Ministry.
Among the measures approved include income tax deductions for book donations to government agencies, educational institutions and charity organizations, and expenses for buying books for persons and corporations.
The Cabinet also agreed in principle that value added tax of newspapers and magazines will also be exempted.
The finance and education ministries will meet to finalise details for implementation before forwarding the measure to the Cabinet next month. (TNA)
Deputy government spokesman Vachara Kannikar said the Cabinet approved the Red Shirt victim relief budget as proposed by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
The ministry earlier allocated Bt40 million ($11 million) to 803 persons. The additional budget will be offered to 833 others.
The anti-government Red Shirt protesters began protesting at the capital's Ratchadamnoen Avenue in mid-March, demanding that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolve the lower house of Parliament for a fresh election.
They moved the main protest site to Ratchaprasong on April 3, forcing shopping malls, shops and offices to close and affecting business operators and retailers.
The Red Shirts ended their protest on May 19 after the military operation to retake the protest site forced a surrender by most of the UDD leadership. But some leaders fled, and some angry protesters torched nearly 40 spots including the the country's largest shopping mall, and shops high-end shopping areas in Siam Sqaure.
In addition, the Cabinet also approved tax measures to promote a culture of reading as proposed by the Education Ministry.
Among the measures approved include income tax deductions for book donations to government agencies, educational institutions and charity organizations, and expenses for buying books for persons and corporations.
The Cabinet also agreed in principle that value added tax of newspapers and magazines will also be exempted.
The finance and education ministries will meet to finalise details for implementation before forwarding the measure to the Cabinet next month. (TNA)
