A GROUP of elderly people in Nonthaburi are furious after stricter eligibility criteria for state welfare card, commonly known as the card for the poor, led to losing their payout, Amarin TV said this afternoon (July 20).
At 11.30 a.m. a large group of impoverished elderly people showed up at Nonthaburi Transport Office to submit petitions to obtain documents confirming their poverty and stating they did not own any cars or motorcycles as doing so denies them this welfare card.
They shouted insults at the government for revoking their welfare cards.
They said officials claim they own cars or motorcycles even through their vehicles were wrecks and undrivable. They were instructed to report to the provincial transport office to confirm by submitting evidence that their vehicles had genuinely broken down, were wrecked or sold.
Ms. Kannika Deeying, 70, one of the complainants, angrily said officials mentioned that she owned two cars thus disqualifying her.
“In reality, one car is wrecked and the other has been sold for scrap. I don’t understand the criteria used to determine my eligibility. Officials initially told me to file a police report and go to the provincial transportation office, claiming there would be no charges.
“However, upon arriving here, they said there would be costs involved and that I need to file a police report as well. I don’t know what to do. I’m just sitting here, helpless and unable to do anything.”
Mr. Sitthiprasert Wiriyabancha, 73, another complainant, revealed that he had received the welfare card nine years ago but this year, under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, he was disqualified. He is blind in one eye and currently only receives a disability allowance.
Officials claimed he was disqualified because he owned cars. He told reporters he wanted to show them his wrecked car and even offered to give it to anyone who wants it.
He added that the elderly folk affected are marching to the Finance Ministry to ask for an explanation because tens of thousands of people are likely affected.
They also want to tell Anutin that he is a very capable prime minister as he can make the poor rich, and as they are now so wealthy they can no longer get the poor person’s card.
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page: Some angry elderly people who lost their state welfare card criticising the government at Nonthaburi’s Transport Office. Photos – Amarin TV
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