Bangkok: "Sirikanya" advises the Prime Minister to review the new criteria for "poverty alleviation cards". Sirikanya Tansakul, Deputy Leader of the People's Party, emphasized the need for the government to reassess the Cabinet's decision on the criteria for state welfare card eligibility, aiming to prevent familial discord. She highlighted the importance of reviewing the conditions not only for this year but also for future tax cycles to ensure fairness in determining filial responsibility.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Tansakul commented on Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's directive to reconsider the eligibility criteria for state welfare benefits. The current conditions disqualify parents whose children claim them as tax deductions from receiving the welfare card. While this criterion is not being enforced this year, it is expected to apply in the next tax cycle, potentially categorizing children as either filial or ungrateful based on their tax filings.
"This doesn't align with the opinions of many parties. I believe the Cabinet resolution regarding the screening criteria for holders of the state welfare card should be reviewed entirely to end all the confusion that the public is facing and to resolve family relationship issues," said Ms. Sirikanya.
Ms. Sirikanya appreciated the government's acknowledgment of the public's concerns through the review order. However, she criticized the Prime Minister's lack of clarity regarding the aspects needing review. This ambiguity prompted Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Ekniti Nitithanprapas, to communicate uncertainly about the criteria's application for the current year.
The situation could incite further debate during the next tax cycle concerning the use of parental support as a tax deduction while maintaining state welfare benefits. If left unaddressed, this could result in parents losing welfare benefits due to their children's tax deductions.
Ms. Sirikanya also urged the government to reconsider other criteria, such as vehicle ownership and the 100,000 baht debt threshold, noting that many farmers and citizens have debts exceeding this limit.
"I think the current criteria are very strict, and having to check every box to receive the card shows that the government wants to screen applicants very rigorously. There's a very fine screening process. This time, instead of filtering out those who aren't truly in need, some genuinely needy people might be overlooked," she concluded.