The cabinet on Wednesday has approved the 2013 fiscal budget framework with expenditure of 2.40 trillion baht, reports said.
The 2013 budget exceeds the 2012 budget by 20 billion baht, but the budget deficit is down from 400 billion baht in 2012 to 300 billion baht, according to the reports.
The budget framework for next fiscal year was based on the hypothesis that government revenue would increase from 1.98 trillion baht in fiscal 2011 to 2.1 trillion baht this fiscal year.
Acting government spokeswoman Thitima Chaisaeng said the cabinet also gave the green light for the implementation of 29 projects costing about 1.65 billion baht as proposed by provinces in the Northeast.
Mrs Thitima, the PM's deputy secretary-general for political affairs, said originally 190 projects were proposed by provincial governors to cabinet members during their visits to upper and central northeastern provinces.
The cabinet gave approval for only 29 projects at a total estimated cost of 1.65 million baht, she said.
The government holds a mobile cabinet meeting in Udon Thani province this week.
Of the 29 projects, two were a proposed by Justice Minister Pracha Promnok. They are the 30-million-baht project for the establishment of Udon Thani University and 25-million-baht project for the construction the Northeast Cultural Centre and the Udon Thani sports stadium.
Most of the other projects approved concern water management, development of tourist attractions, improvement of medical and public health services, and expansion of the highway network.
In summary, budgets approved for each province are as follows: Udon Thani 163 million baht; Nong Bua Lamphu 107 million baht; Nong Khai 100 million baht; Loei 98 million baht, Bung Kan 126 million baht; Mukdahan 99.25 million baht; Sakon Nakhon 110 million baht; Khon Kaen 100 million baht; Maha Sarakham 100 million baht; Roi Et 105 million baht; and Kalasin 111.50 million baht.
Deputy government spokesman Pakdihan Himathongkam said the cabinet has agreed to extend the exemption of diesel from excise tax for another month, to March 31.
The excise tax exemption on diesel was to expire on Feb 29.
Mr Pakdihan said the decision was aimed at reducing the burden of fuel costs on the people at a time of rising global oil prices.
The cabinet will consider whether to further extend the excise tax exemption on diesel before the end of March, the spokesman said.
Deputy government spokesman Anusorn Eiamsa-ard said the cabinet approved the appointment of deputy permanent secretary for agriculture and cooperatives Lertviroj Kowattana as the new director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department.
Mr Anusorn said Mr Lertviroj will replace RID chief Chalit Damrongsak, who will take over the agriculture deputy permanent secretary's post.
The new appointments are effective when they receive royal endorsement.
The two-day mobile cabinet meeting in Udon Thani province ended today.
Lertviroj Kowattana (left) and Chalit Damrongsak
