The Cabinet met on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at Command Building I, Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows;
The Cabinet approved Draft Regulation of Prime Minister's Office on the Committee for Promotion and Development of Fair Contract Farming System B.E..., as proposed by Office of the Council of State.
1. Determine the definition of “Contract Farming System”, “Agricultural Business Entrepreneurs”, “Farmers”, “Agriculture”, “Government Agencies”, “Committee”, “Cabinet”.
2. Stipulate establishment of the Committee for Promotion and Development of Fair Contract Farming System, which consists of Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives as Chairman, and Minister of Justice as Deputy Chairman. Ex-officio members are Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice as well as Attorney General, Chairman of the National Farmers Council, Board of Trade of Thailand's Chairman, Lawyers Council of Thailand's President and Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives' Manager. No more than 10 honorary committee members can also be appointed based on knowledge and expertise. Deputy Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives acts as member and secretary, and Deputy Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Justice, which as member and assistant secretary.
3. Stipulate authority of the Committee for Promotion and Development of Fair Contract Farming System
4. As soon as Fair Contract Farming System Development Plan is approved by the Cabinet, the committee is tasked to lay out directions and measures for concerned public agencies to implement accordingly.
5. Stipulate disbursement of meeting allowance or other expenses related to the operations of the Committee, Subcommittees or Working Groups in accordance with the Royal Decree on Committee Meeting Allowance or Government Regulation. The expenses will be disbursed from the budget under Office of Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
6. Stipulate that ex officio committee members commence working while honorary members are being appointed.
The Cabinet approved in principle Draft Royal Decree Issued under the Revenue Code on Reduction and Exemption from Revenue Taxes (No. …) B.E. ...., to promote the establishment of international headquarters, as proposed by Ministry of Finance and forwarded the draft document to Office of the Council of State for its deliberation.
To exempt specific business taxes to international headquarters on incomes from financial management for its associated enterprises, beginning from May 2, 2015.
The Cabinet agreed in priniciple on Draft regulation on fares rates, collection methods, and fare exemption for certain groups of passengers riding on Metropolitan Rapid Transit Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line, B.E..., as proposed by Ministry of Transport.
At the 17/2015 MRTA's Board Meeting dated December 9, 2015, new rate of fares has been approved. The new rate is at 16-42 Baht which remain unchanged except for the fifth, eighth and eleventh stations where the fare will be reduced by one Baht. The updated fares will go into effect July 3, 2016 to July 2, 2018 (a total of 24 months). Public announcement must be made at least 30 days prior to the effective date according to MRTA's contract (or before June 4, 2016).
1. Stipulate that the aforementioned regulation is to take effect from July 3, 2016 onwards.
2. Revoke MRTA's Draft regulation on fares rates, collection methods, and fare exemption for certain groups of passengers riding on Metropolitan Rapid Transit Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line, B.E. 2557
3. Determine the fare rates of Metropolitan Rapid Transit Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line in accordance with fare rates attached to the regulation (Starting from 16 baht to the maximum 42 baht)
4. Determine fare exemption and reduction for certain groups of passengers
5. Stipulate authority of MRTA's committee to make periodical announcement of fare reduction as part of the promotion for use of mass rapid transport, or support of activities according to the government's policy.
The Cabinet approved proposals made by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as follows:
1. Approved the 2016 action plan for prevention and mitigation of haze and smog in the North as the government's policy to be implemented by concerned agencies.
2. Approved 2016 annual budget (under central budget), for 93.8180 million baht in total for the implementation of the 2016 action plan for prevention and mitigation of haze and smog in the North (9 provinces)
The 2016 action plan for prevention and mitigation of haze and smog in the North focuses on preventive approaches to prevent burning or spread of uncontrollable fire hazard in order to minimize damages. Mobilization of resources from all agencies; volunteer network and equipment, must be implemented to monitor and prevent the burning and wildfire hazard in high risk areas. Enhancing knowledge, awareness and community participation in minimizing burnings during the crisis period of 2016. Law against illegal burnings will be strictly enforced through a Single Command of provincial governors.
Concerned agencies consist of Prime Minister's Office and 12 Ministries:
(1) Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
(2) Ministry of Science and Technology
(3) Ministry of Finance
(4) Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(5) Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
(6) Ministry of Defence
(7) Ministry of Transport
(8) Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
(9) Ministry of Energy
(10) Ministry of Public Health
(11) Ministry of Interior and
(12) Ministry of Education
Monitoring Mechanism: Operation Center to Prevent and Fight Fire and Smog
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) March 1, 2016 --