By Aye Aye Thant (MNA)
The tenth-day meeting of the eleventh regular session of the Second Pyithu Hluttaw was held at the Pyithu Hluttaw meeting hall of the Hluttaw Building in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday, where asterisk-marked questions were asked and answered, a motion tabled and a report on a bill was read.
Asterisk marked questions
The first asterisk marked question of the day was posed by U Maung Maung of Htigyaing constituency on the status of publishing and preservation of books and manuscripts of distinguished writer Sayagyi Shwe U Daung, amount of copyright fees obtained and arrangements made to present Shwe U Daung literature award. Deputy Minister for Information U Aung Hla Tun said Sayagyi U Pe Thein (pen name Shwe U Daung) passed away in 1973 and a books and manuscripts of Sayagyi was learnt to have been preserved by Shwe U Daung manuscript preservation and protection committee. Sayamagyi Ludu Daw Amar’s son U Nyein Chan (writer Saya Nyi Pu Lay) was the relevant person on this matter and the Deputy Minister quoted U Nyein Chan written reply in answering the question. When Sayagyi Shwe U Daung passed away, his wife Daw Kyi Soe was left behind and she asked director/author U Thukha, Ludu U Hla, Ludu Daw Amar, Saya Thawdar Swe and Hanthawaddy Saya U Win Tin to care for the books and manuscripts of Sayagyi Shwe U Daung. As these persons passed away one by one, the last remaining person Hanthawaddy U Win Tin transferred the responsibility to Sayagyi Shwe U Daung’s nephew Saya Ludu U Sein Win.
When Saya Ludu U Sein Win passed away, the responsibility was transferred to Sayagyi Shwe U Daung’s grandnephew U Thin Aye (engineer) and Upper Myanmar Writers Association who were still handling this responsibility. Sayagyi Shwe U Daung’s copyright fees were being deposited in a bank account is said to be over K 108.9 million.
Discussions were made with families of Sayagyi Shwe U Daung and village elders of Magyi Tone Village, Wetlet Township, Shwebo District, Sagaing Region – birthplace of Sayagyi, to donate funds for Shwe U Daung library and a Basic Education High School in the village.
As for Ministry of Information, when the 100 Myanmar classics was published by Sarpay Beikman in December 2018, volume 2 contains Sayagyi’s “Yadanabon” and the publishing committee contacted Sayagyi Shwe U Daung manuscript preservation committee and Saya Nyi Pu Lay on the matter of copyright fees. Both the Ministry of Information and the manuscript preservation committee has no immediate plan on the matter of Shwe U Daung literature award, answered the Deputy Minister.
U Maung Maung of Htigyaing constituency then said the last owner of Sayagyi’s copyright is Daw Kyi Soe and she has transferred this to her niece Daw Myint Myint. Daw Myint Myint had said that she’ll donate the fund to the State so that the State could spend the prize money for the Shwe U Daung literature award for eternity and requested the presence of her or her descendants whenever the award is given. As a related question, he asked what the response is on this latest development and the Deputy Minister said Saya Nyi Pu Lay will be contacted on the matter.
Next, U Tun Wai of Phaungpyin constituency asked if there is any plan to set Annual Allowable Cut and allow private sector to extract Tamalan, Padauk and other hardwoods. Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Dr. Ye Myint Swe replied that as per 2018 Forestry Law timber extraction is permitted only to state owned Myanmar Timber Enterprise and there is no plan to permit private sector extraction of timber.
Afterwards, U Lin Lin Oo of Tanai Constitutency asked for arrangements made to permit small scale businesses and artisans to mine gold and amber in Tanai Township. Deputy Minister Dr. Ye Myint Swe replied that 15 companies had applied for small gold blocks and 52 worksites in Nanbyu, Zibyugon, Labukha and Waylaw regions in Tanai Township but due to security situation, site inspection couldn’t be conducted and was suspended since 14 August 2018. Once the site inspection can be done, permission will be granted according to rules and regulations said the Deputy Minister.
Questions raised by U Kyaw Soe of Bamauk constituency, U Saw Tin Win of Kya-in Seikkyi constituency, U Khin Maung Latt of Myanaung constituency and U Tun Tun Win of Yamethin constituency were then answered by Deputy Minister for Electricity and Energy Dr. Tun Naing and Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Dr. Ye Myint Swe.
Motion on electricity distribution tabled and accepted for discussion
Following the asking and answering of asterisk marked questions U Nyan Hein of Thanbyuzayat constituency tabled a motion for Ministry of Electricity and Energy to establish an electricity distribution agreement with private companies so that the initial investment burden is not passed on to the people and provided explanations for tabling the motion. The motion was supported by U Aung Soe Lin of Ywangan constituency.
After obtaining the decision of the Hluttaw, Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker announced the Hluttaw’s acceptance to discuss the motion and announced further for Hluttaw representatives who want to discuss the motion the register their names.
Report on bill amending Bar Council Act read
As a final agenda of the day, Hluttaw was informed of receiving a bill amending Bar Council Act approved and sent with amendments by Amyotha Hluttaw and bill committee secretary U Kyaw Soe Lin read the committee’s report on the bill.
Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker then announced for Hluttaw representatives who want to table amendment motions to register their names.
The eleventh-day meeting of the eleventh regular session of the Second Pyithu Hluttaw will be held on 13 February. (Translated by Zaw Min)
