January 08, 2021
THE Work Committee on Drafting the National Land Law and Harmonization of Related Laws held its third meeting via videoconferencing at the Office of the Union Attorney-General in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
At the meeting, the committee’s Chairperson Union Attorney- General U Tun Tun Oo said that seven sub-work-groups were formed to implement the work plan according to the decision of the second meeting of the committee. He continued that subwork- groups are unable to conduct field visits and face-to-face meetings because of the COVID- 19 pandemic, but are conducting non-face-to-face observations and online discussions. He said that the Work Committee sought public opinions on the action plan (draft) via daily newspapers and the website of the Office of the Union Attorney-General, and received 172 suggestions.
He said that great efforts are being made to create a National Land Law that looks forward to a future democratic federal union. It also aims at bringing sustainable development, peace, prosperity, socio-economic security and food security for all the citizens, including ethnic nationalities. He said that to achieve that goal, it is necessary to take into account the general public’s suggestions on the action plan (draft) for the National Land Law. He added that the process of drafting National Land Law would be continued in accordance with the plan approved by the meeting. He also stressed that the general public could be involved in carrying out the process, and it is necessary to get relevant suggestions. He pointed out that it is required to pay great attention to recognize land ownership of ethnic nationalities.
He said that the land-sector related points approved by the Union Peace Conference-21st Century Panglong sessions need to be included in the bill. He also highlighted the importance of recommendations from the technical advisory board in reviewing existing laws for compatibility with National Land Law and improving the management of the National Land Use Council. He emphasized that if all work collaboratively, the National Land Law (draft), which will be in line with the national land use policy, will be completed within a reasonable period of time. He said that the drafting process must be carried out in accordance with the action plan and the sub-work-groups need to work collaboratively to draft the backbone of the law.
Members of the committee, members of the technical advisory board and other invitees participated in the meeting.—MNA (Translated by Maung Maung Swe)
