City Hall is stepping in to clarify details of the government's scheme to provide financial help to flood victims, after confusion arose about how it will work.
On Nov 8, the cabinet approved a proposal to grant 5,000 baht in financial help to each flood-affected household.
But questions have arisen as to why only the legal owners of flooded houses are entitled to receive the aid, and what documents should be submitted along with their application for assistance.
The government says 621,355 households in the capital have been hit by the floods. The cabinet has decided to set aside about 3.1 billion baht to help them.
Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said he had told all 50 district offices to start registering flood victims under the programme.
Two types of flood-affected households were defined as: those flooded as a result of a sudden incident that damaged a house; and prolonged flooding of at least seven days which damaged property.
In both cases, the houses or properties must be located in areas declared flood-affected zones, said the governor.
The legal house owner is required to submit a copy of his or her house registration document and ID card with authorities. Tenants are required to submit a copy of their rental contracts and ID cards. Flood victims should visit http://www.bangkokgis.com/flood or call 1555.
A total of 32 districts of Bangkok are regarded as flood zones: Bang Kae, Bang Khen, Bang Kholaem, Bang Phlat, Bang Sue, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok Yai, Chatuchak, Din Daeng, Don Muang, Dusit, Kannayao, Klong Sam Wa, Klong San, Klong Toey, Laksi, Lat Krabang, Lat Phrao,
Min Buri, Nong Chok, Nong Khaem, Phasicharoen, Phra Nakhon, Rat Burana, Sai Mai, Samphanthawong, Sathon, Taling Chan, Thawi Watthana, Thon Buri, Wang Thonglang and Yannawa.
MR Sukhumbhand said he had told district staff to try their best to ensure convenience for applicants.
If flood victims did not have their registration documents with them, staff should check the house registration database for them.
As for unregistered residential buildings, their owners could call on witnesses to establish their ownership rather than relying on house registration documents, said MR Sukhumbhand.
"Flood victims should be able to receive payments from Dec 20 onwards, and City Hall will not impose a deadline of relief applications as we realise that flooding situations are different across the city," said the governor.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is also drafting legislation to allow additional assistance of 1,500 baht per household for flood victims in Bangkok, he said. Service points could be opened in flooded areas to help with registration.
The first applications for flood relief aid could be sent to the government by tomorrow, said Bangkok city clerk Charoenrat Chutikarn.
Pictures of flooded houses were not required to be submitted along with applications for financial assistance, but the application form must be signed by credible witnesses, he said.
After verifying the applications, the BMA would forward them to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation for final approval before the Government Savings Bank handles the payments, he said.
The process should take no longer than 45 days from the day applications are received, said Mr Charoenrat.
Sanyan Chantharat, an adviser to the Bangkok governor, said although flood victims are not required to submit pictures of their flooded houses, such images would make it easier for officials to verify applications.
"For unregistered houses, owners can submit water and electricity bills as evidence [of ownership]," he said.
Piboon Wekhawakayanon, who is chief of the Nong Khaem district office, said staff there had so far received more than 2,000 applications from property owners and also tenants for financial assistance.
Applications for relief can be submitted from 8am to 4pm every day, Mr Piboon added.
No comments:
Post a Comment