20 Feb
Committees’ duration extended
Speaker U T Khun Myat first announced the extension of Hluttaw committees that have reached the end of their terms.
The International Relations Committee, National Races Affairs and Peace Making Committee, and Farmer and Worker Affairs Committee have been extended from 17 February 2020 to 31 January 2021.
The Education Promotion Committee, Banks and Monetary Affairs Development Committee, and Agriculture, Livestock Breeding and Rural Development Committee have been extended from 19 February 2020 to 31 January 2021.
The Health and Sports Promotion Committee, Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Committee, and Transportation, Communications and Construction Committee have been extended from 22 February 2020 to 31 January 2021.
The Investment and Industrial Development Committee, and Electrict Power and Energy Development Committee have been extended from 24 February 2020 to 31 January 2021.
The Citizen’s Fundamental Rights Committee, Economic and Financial Development Committee, and Public Affairs Management Committee have been extended from 26 February 2020 to 31 January 2021, while the Women and Children Rights Affairs Committee has been extended from 1 March 2020 to 31 January 2021.
Question time
Next, MP U Won Hla of Nanyun constituency asked whether the plan to open the Myanmar-India border market in Pansaung Town will be carried through. Deputy Minister for Commerce, U Aung Htoo, replied that the plan will be implemented once both countries can agree on the management affairs for the border market.
Next, MP Daw Aye Mya Mya Myo of Kyauktan constituency asked for a precise time frame regarding promised land compensation, and for a fair policy and transparent approach in providing resettlement compensations.
Deputy Minister U Aung Htoo first clarified that the lands the MP is referring to were confiscated with compensation during 1940 to 1945 by the Urban and Housing Development Department. However, these lands are now involved in ongoing cases as the original farmers whose land had been taken and their inheritors have appealed to the different levels of the Committee for Scrutinizing Confiscated Farmlands and Other Lands.
The Deputy Minister said the Thilawa Special Economic Zone management committee is continuing work on the SEZ in line with the 2014 SEZ Law. He said they are carrying out land compensation, crop compensation, and social assistance to the households that are in the project vicinity, and that they are doing so with the utmost transparency. He said the Thilawa SEZ management committee will follow the decisions made by the Committee for Scrutinizing Confiscated Farmlands and Other Lands.
Next, MP U Kyaw Tin of Saw constituency asked whether the four concrete pillars of Yeshin canal in Yeshin Village, Saw Township, will be upgraded into something more resilient.
Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Hla Kyaw replied that this canal is diverted from Chi creek in Mindat Township, Chin State, that requires its own upgradation of its piers, flumes and abutments. He said this requires coordinating with the Chin State government and the budget proposal for this will be included in the Magway Region government’s fund proposal for 2020-2021 financial year.
Next, MP Daw Cho Cho of Ottwin constituency asked whether there were plans to construct factories in the country that will produce the necessary farm machinery, fertilizers and farm equipment for farmers.
Deputy Minister U Hla Kyaw replied that they are importing all necessary items for the farmers, as well as inviting foreign investment to set up the factories the MP has mentioned.
Next, MP U Win Khaing of Mogaung constituency asked when a verified map of Namti, Mogaung Township, will be released. U Hla Kyaw replied that they are still at the stage where the Mogaung Township General Administration Department, Township Administrator and relevant government departments are working on mapping the roads and railways of the region. He said they will follow all due processes and adhere to existing laws to complete the entire mapping process.
Afterwards, the Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker announced he has received the bill amending the Myanmar Medical Council Law from the Amyotha Hluttaw with amendments. He called for MPs interested in submitting amendments to enroll their names.
The eighth-day meeting of the Second Pyithu Hluttaw’s 15th regular session will be held on 18 February. -Aye Aye Thant (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)
