22 July
The fourth-day meeting of the 17th regular session of the Second Amyotha Hluttaw was held in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
MP Daw Htu May of Rakhine State constituency 11 raised a question on budget spending of the Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department for water management processes in order to provide enough clean water in the Rakhine State.
The Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Dr Aung Thu replied that the Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department of the Rakhine State spent K16.485 billion between the 2015-2016 fiscal year (FY) and 2019-2020FY for construction of a total of 47 dams, and the Department of Rural Development spent K19.525 billion between the 2015-2016 fiscal year (FY) and 2019-2020FY for 2,796 projects to provide adequate water supply to villages. So, the total spending by the two departments for water supply projects in the Rakhine State in that period was K36.01 billion.
The Union Minister added that the relevant municipals and the Department of Rural Development are cooperating for sufficient supply of water in the Rakhine State.
According to 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census, the percentage of households using improved drinking water sources stood at 37.8 per cent in the Rakhine State. But, according to the “Rainy Season Data” of the Myanmar Living Conditions Survey (MLCS-2017) jointly conducted by the Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry, about 45 per cent of the population in the Rakhine had access to improved water sources, said the Union Minister Dr Aung Thu.
The Union Minister continued to say that 2019 Interim Census has already been completed, so the updated data for accessing to improved water sources in the Rakhine State will be announced soon.
MP U Bwe Khane from Chin State constituency 3 raised a question on whether a budget will be got for constructing a new school building in the premises of the middle school in the Foneka village, Thantlang township, Chin State.
In response to his question, the Union Minister for Education Dr Myo Thein Gyi replied that the existing school building is enough for the current number of students, so there will be no budget allocation for constructing a new school building in the 2020-2021FY. But the budget may be provided in the 2021-2022FY, and it will depend on the number of students, said the Union Minister for Education.
MP U Myo Htap (a) Salai Myo Htike from Chin State constituency 12 raised a question on whether new school buildings will be built in the premises of the high schools of Lonenu village and Ganam village in Paletwa township, Chin State, in 2020-2021 FY. The Union Minister for Education Dr Myo Thein Gyi replied that the new school buildings will not be constructed in the 2020-2021FY, but the proposal will be considered in next fiscal years in order to fulfil the needs.
MP U San Myint from Ayeyawady Region constituency 3 asked a question on whether there is a plan to build new school buildings to replace the dangerous old school buildings in the premises of the high school in Kone Pyin village, Yay Kyi township, Pathein district, Ayeyawady Region. The Union Minister for Education replied that the budget for constructing a (130x 30) feet two-storey building has been allocated for the 2020-2021 FY.
Questions related to land issues were raised by MP U Hla Myint (a) U Hla Myint Than from Mon State constituency 11 and MP U Saw Than Htut from Kayin State constituency 2.
Union Minister Dr Aung Thu replied to these questions.
MP U Soe Thein (a) U Maung Soe from Taninthayi Region constituency 10 discussed the Myanmar Health Assistant Council Bill, which was sent back by the Pyithu Hluttaw with recommendations.
MP Daw Shwe Shwe Sein Latt from Bago Region constituency 3 and MP U Ba Myo Thein from Yangon Region constituency 5 discussed Amyotha Hluttaw’s Agriculture, Livestock and Fishery Development Committee’s report on reduction of side effects from chemical residues in agricultural sector in Myanmar.
MP Daw Shwe Shwe Sein Latt said that the objective of the report, the research result and the suggestions can reflect the current situations, so all stakeholders should cooperatively implement the suggestions for the sake of the nation and the citizens. She also suggested that some of the suggestions in the report will also be useful in implementing the COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan (CERP).
MP U Ba Myo Thein from Yangon Region constituency 5 discussed that good agricultural practices should be adopted.
Then, Amyotha Hluttaw’s Agriculture, Livestock and Fishery Development Committee Secretary Dr Win Myint said that the committee took about a year to draw up the report. He expressed thanks to the MPs who made the discussions, and tabled a motion to accept the report of the committee.
Afterwards, Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than announced Hluttaw’s agreement to accept the report of the Amyotha Hluttaw’s Agriculture, Livestock and Fishery Development Committee, after obtaining the decision of the Amyotha Hluttaw.
The 5th-day meeting of the 17th regular session of the Second Amyotha Hluttaw will be held on 23 July.
Aung Ye Thwin (Translated by Maung Maung Swe)
