A motion to permit use of motorcycles in six outlying townships of Yangon was voted down at the eighth meeting of the Second Pyithu Hluttaw’s eleventh regular session, which was held yesterday at the Pyithu Hluttaw in Nay Pyi Taw.
Motion for motorcycles in outlying townships of Yangon voted down
U Aye Naing of Dagon Myothit (South) constituency tabled a motion urging the government to permit use of motorcycles in four Dagon Myothit townships, and Hlinethaya and Shwepyitha townships, located just outside Yangon city. Stating his reasons for tabling the motion, he said it would ease transport in areas that are not adequately covered by the YBS system and cited the low cost of using motorcycles. U Ye Lwin of Ahlon constituency supported the motion.
When the motion was put to vote, there were 50 votes supporting it, 265 against it, and 3 abstentions. With a majority of votes against the motion, Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U T Khun Myat announced it would not be tabled for discussion.
Power supply arrangement of YESC, MESC
In the question-and-answer session, U Nay Myo Htet of Kyauktada Constituency asked about the township-wise electricity distribution arrangement of the Yangon Electricity Supply Corporation (YESC), Mandalay Electricity Supply Corporation (MESC), and franchises, and how they are handling power losses. The Deputy Minister for Electricity and Energy, Dr. Tun Naing, said that in the Yangon Region, the YESC and franchise companies were handling electricity distribution in 42 and 15 townships, respectively, while in Mandalay Region, the MESC and franchise companies were handling electricity distribution in 14 and 20 townships, respectively.
The deputy minister said the authorities are cracking down on illegal use of electricity and imposing fines on offenders, and they are also detecting non-operational, damaged, and tampered meters. Arrangements are being made to place capacitor banks to reduce losses from poor power factor due to usage of industrial motors when installing industrial-use transformers, he said.
Furthermore when agreements were signed with franchise companies, drawing up and implementing System Development Plans were included to improve electricity distribution in the short term and to provide timely supply of increasing electricity demand. Franchises were to draw up plans to reduce electricity losses and earmark budget for it. The status of works being done was being monitored by district and township managers through field visits, as well as with spot checks by Management Level occasionally. The Head office reviewed, managed and coordinated the monthly progress, explained the Deputy Minister.
In replying to a question raised by U Thein Tun of Kyaunggon constituency on a plan to extend 11 KV power line in Kyaunggon Township, Deputy Minister for Electricity and Energy Dr. Tun Naing said Region Government funds were used in fiscal year 2019-2020 for 5 miles of 11 KV power line to provide electricity to Phayagyikon Village beside Kyaunggon-Einme Road, 6.22 miles of 11 KV power line to provide electricity to Moemakha, Ywathakon, KyaungAing and Asugyi villages beside Kyaunggon-Kyonpyaw Road and to provide electricity to Pantawyo, LuthantChaung and Wetchan Gayet villages beside Kyaunggon-Thongwa Road. For fiscal year 2020-2021 funds have been allocated in the Region Government fund to implement 5.97 miles of 11 KV power line to provide electricity to Kungyankon, Yin Saing and Thekon villages besides Kyaunggon-Daka Road and 8.89 miles of 11 KV power line to provide villages like Latpanchaung, Gonmin, Zichaung and ByaikKyi, explained the Deputy Minister.
Dr. U Lin LinKyaw of Myittha constituency asked if there was a plan to allocate fund for MyaungGyiBaung, Pwe Lon Kyaw and HtaneKan villages in Myittha Township that were facing difficulties in conducting self-reliant village electrification program. Deputy Minister Dr. Tun Naing replied that Mandalay Region Government would allocate funds in fiscal year 2020-2021 for 11.72 miles of 11 KV power line for MyaungGyiBaung Village, a mile of 11/0.4 KV power line and 11/0.4 KV 200 KVA transformer for Pwe Lon Kyaw Village and 2 miles of 11 KV power line and two 11/0.4 KV 200 KVA transformers for HtaneKan Village.
Questions raised by Daw Nan Moe of Mongton constituency,Daw Khin HninThit of Padaung constituency, U Nyan Lin of Shwepyitha constituency and U Sai Ba Thein of Langkho constituency were then answered by Central Bank of Myanmar Deputy Governor U Bo Bo Nge and Deputy Minister for Transport and Communications U Kyaw Myo.
Committee report discussed, explained and approved
Next, Pyithu Hluttaw government’s guarantees, pledges and undertaking vetting committee report was discussed by U Naing Naing Win of Tamu constituency, Tatmadaw representatives Lt-Col Tun Tun Win and Major Zin Lin.
Committee member U Khin Maung Oo responded to the discussions by providing explanations and then tabled a motion for the Hluttaw to accept the report. After obtaining the decision of the Hluttaw, Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U T Khun Myat announced the approval of the Hluttaw to accept the report.
Hluttaw approves Civil Service Law (2nd Amendment) Bill
Afterwards Bill Committee member U Sai Tun Aye explained about the amendment motions tabled by Hluttaw representatives on the Civil Service Law (2nd Amendment) Bill submitted by the Union Civil Service Board and the Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker obtained the decision of the Hluttaw to approve it.
Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker then continued and obtained the decision of the Hluttaw to approve the entire bill and the amended clauses and sub-clauses and announced the Hluttaw’s approval.
Finally an announcement was made to hold the Second Pyithu Hluttaw eleventh regular session ninth day meeting on 7 February. – Aye Aye Thant (MNA) (Translated by Zaw Min)
