ALLEGED CORRUPTION related to government assistance for destitute people plagues at least 14 provinces, an ongoing probe by the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) stated yesterday.

The investigation is set to expand to the implementation of projects across the country.

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Pol General Adul Saengsingkeo, who served as the minister of Social Development and Human Security last year, named the ministry’s permanent secretary, Puttipat Lertchaowasit, as being implicated in the alleged irregularities.

Puttipat and his deputy permanent secretary, Narong Kongkam, were transferred out of the head offices of the Social Development and Human Security Ministry last week, reportedly to ensure a transparent investigation into the disbursement of state funds.

“I ordered a preliminary probe last year and found grounds to suspect the permanent secretary might have engaged in wrongdoing,” said Adul, who is now the Labour Minister.

Social Development and Human Security Minister General Anantaporn Kanjanarat said he would try to get to the bottom of the corruption scandal.

“Those involved in the scandal can be treated as witnesses if they testify about a mastermind, if there is one,” he said.

He added that Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha had already made clear that senior officials should set a good example.

“If they are accused of wrongdoing themselves, they will be investigated. If there are grounds of wrongdoing, they definitely will be punished,” he said.

The PACC started investigating the disbursement of state funds via provincial protection centres for the destitute after a university student reported alleged irregularities at the Khon Kaen centre, where she was briefly a trainee.

After the investigation found clear signs of graft, it was expanded to cover all centres across the country.

“The nationwide investigation is still ongoing. But at this point, alleged irregularities have already been detected in 14 provinces,” PACC assistant secretary-general Wannop Somjintanakul said.

The provinces are Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, Bueng Kan, Nong Khai, Saraburi, Udon Thani, Surat Thani, Ayutthaya, Nan, Krabi, Trat, Trang, Sa Kaew and Roi Et.

Local officials’ efforts to pay destitute people retroactively since the investigation started would not help cover up their wrongdoing, Wannop said.

“Our investigation focuses on disbursements in the 2017 fiscal year, which ended on September 30 last year. Payments this month will not help,” Wannop said.

The government allocated Bt493 million to projects to help people in need last year.

The investigation found that many people’s documents had been used without their knowledge to claim funds for destitute people.