The second Pyithu Hluttaw’s ninth regular session held its second-day meeting at the Pyithu Hluttaw meeting hall yesterday, where asterisk-marked questions were answered, a motion tabled, reading of report, discussion and a motion tabled on bills.
Asterisk marked questions
The first asterisk marked question of the day was raised by U Khun Than Htoo of Hsihseng constituency on upgrading a 11 miles 6 furlong road linking Ponlaung Village cross road to Naung Htaw Village in Hsihseng Township that had been relied upon by 41 villages. Deputy Minister for Border Affairs Maj-Gen Than Htut answered that section wise budget to upgrade the road will be included in the nearest Union budget based on the detailed site visit and report by Pa-O Self-Administered Zone Leading Body on the requirement to upgrade the road, the analysis and recommendation of Shan State government and fund availability.
U Lar Mar Lay of Hsawlaw constituency on the other hand asked whether the 140 ft. long double frame Bailey bridge on the Hsawlaw-Lanse road, the Htandan Bridge between Maw Wei Village and Htandan Village was properly constructed and inspected as it was damaged in about eight months after construction was completed and if there will be any actions taken against the construction company or inspecting authorities.
Deputy Minister for Border Affairs Maj-Gen Than Htut replied that Augusta Co., Ltd. start the construction of the bridge on 25 October 2017 and was completed on 6 March 2018. Township quality inspection committee and State Hluttaw representative inspected the bridge during and after the construction of the bridge and the construction of the bridge fully comply with the quality requirement.
The reason the bridge was damaged was not due to inadequate or sub-standard construction but due to natural disaster, the extreme flow of the river during the raining season.
As the company that constructed the bridge had conducted necessary repairs as required while the inspection committee and Hluttaw representative had conducted proper inspection during and after the bridge construction, there is no plan to take any action against the company or the inspection committee said the Deputy Minister.
U Nay Lin Tun of Bokpyin constituency meanwhile asked if there is a plan to construct piers and village road for villages in the coastal and on islands of Taninthayi Region that are not connected with the Union road.
Deputy Minister for Border Affairs Maj-Gen Than Htut replied that construction of piers are not covered by the ministry but for village road construction, it will be conducted based on site inspection and recommendation of the Region government.
Similarly questions raised by Daw Aye Aye Mu (a) Daw Shar Mee of Kalay constituency, U Kyaw Soe of Bamauk constituency, U Wom Hla of Nanyun constituency and U R Moe Hsi of Khaunglanphu constituency were answered by Deputy Minister for Border Affairs Maj-Gen Than Htut and Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement U Soe Aung.
Motion to train teachers and budget for school feeding in kindergarten
Following the asterisk-marked questions session Daw Aye Mya Mya Myo of Kyauktan constituency tabled and explained a motion urging the Union government to train qualified teachers for kindergarten children aged between three and five years and to allocate budget for school feeding in kindergarten. The motion was supported by Daw Ni Ni May Myint of Taungup constituency.
Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U T Khun Myat announced the Hluttaw’s agreement to accept and discuss the motion after obtaining the agreement of the Hluttaw and announced further for Hluttaw representatives who want to discuss the motion to register their names.
Reading of report, discussion, decision and motion on bills
Next Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker informed the receipt of Protection and Preservation of Cultural Heritage Regions Bill approved and sent by Amyotha Hluttaw with amendment.
Bill Committee member U Steven read a report of the committee on the bill and Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker announced for Hluttaw representatives who want to table amendment motion to register their names. Afterwards Bill Committee member Daw Mar Mar Khine explained to the Hluttaw about 2018 Gambling Bill returned by Amyotha Hluttaw with amendments and after obtaining the decision of the Hluttaw, Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker announced the agreement of the Hluttaw. Pyithu Hluttaw Bill Committee member Dr. Wai Phyo Aung then tabled a motion to submit the matter to Pyidaungsu Hluttaw as there is a disagreement between the two Hluttaws on the bill so that Pyidaungsu Hluttaw can discuss and decide on the seven points where the two Hluttaws were in disagreement.
Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker announced that the matter will be submitted to the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. The eighth-day meeting of the Second Pyithu Hluttaw’s eleventh regular session will be continued on 4 February it is learnt.
—Aye Aye Thant (MNA) (Translated by Zaw Min)
