March 07, 2020
The 11th-day meeting of the Second Amyotha Hluttaw’s 15th regular session was held yesterday.
During question time, Naw Chris Tun (a) Dr Arkar Moe of Kayin State constituency 7 asked whether the registration of Ketpel Village and Ka Paung Pin villages of Thandaungyi Township, Kayin State, by the Ministry of Home Affairs into Kwye Yaing Pyin village-tract, Yedashe Township, Bago Region, in 2018 will be rectified.
Deputy Minister U Tin Myint of the Office of the Union Government replied that if more than half of the relevant electorate consent to re-delineate the territorial boundary and if three-fourths or more of representatives of assenting Hluttaw levels vote their approval of the matter, than it can be implemented in line with Article 53 of the Constitution.
Next, Dr Sai Hsai Kyauk Sam of Shan State constituency 6 raised questions concerning land confiscated by the local light infantry division and possible relinquishment.
Deputy Minister for Defence Rear-Admiral Myint Nwe replied that the division already received permission to seize the land area in Wow Khote village, Kengtung Township, and they have relinquished 2 acres from there. He said the land cannot be relinquished as it plays an important strategic location with the military command there, and would be easily infiltrated without its presence.
U Bwe Khain of Chin State constituency 3 then asked whether the inter-village roads between three village-tracts near Mara ridge, Thantlang Township, will be completed in 2020-2021FY.
Deputy Minister for Construction, Dr Kyaw Lin, replied that there are five roads networking the village-tracts, and from among them, the 9-mile Loilem-Fartalan road has 5 miles left for expansion but the concerned village and township administration committee and Hluttaw representatives have not submitted any relevant documents. Thus, it cannot be included in the budget proposal while the remaining four roads will be included in the state capital fund for 2020-2021FY.
Next, U Baw Rae Soe Wai of Kayah State constituency 3 asked when the villages in Dorphu village-tract, Dimawhso Township, which have not been linked to an electricity supply will be provided as such.
Deputy Minister for Electricity and Energy U Khin Maung Win replied that the total estimated cost for linking the 6 villages in Dorphu village-tract to an electricity supply is K787.6 million. He said the matter has been included in the state government’s fund proposal for 2020-2021FY and work will commence depending on the amount allotted.
Following this, Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than announced that the Pyithu Hluttaw has sent back the traffic safety and vehicle management bill with amendments and for MPs interested in discussing the bill to enroll their names.
The Speaker also submitted the Tax Appellate Tribunal Bylaw sent back with amendments from the Pyithu Hluttaw for the consideration of the assembly. U San Myint of Ayeyawady Region constituency 3 then discussed the Bar Council Election Rule.
Next, the Speaker announced the Pyithu Hluttaw has made amendments to all separate fifth bylaws amending the Pyithu Hluttaw Election Bylaw, Amyotha Hluttaw Election Bylaw, and the State and Regional Hluttaw Election Bylaw and called for MPs interested in discussing the matter to enroll their names.
This was followed by U Maung Maung Ohn of Ayeyawady Region constituency 5 tabled a motion urging the Union Government to swiftly issue a mandate to relevant businesses allowing them to blend gasoline with an appropriate ratio of ethanol.
The MP explained that since ethanol can be produced from breweries and the byproducts used to feed livestock and other agricultural use, it would help alleviate the nation’s trade deficit and annual import of approximately 2 million tons of gasoline if businesses were allowed to blend ethanol with the fuel.
U Tun Tun Oo of Mandalay Region constituency 2 seconded the motion, saying it will greatly benefit the nation.
The Speaker then gathered the deliberation of the Amyotha Hluttaw, received no opposition, and announced the motion has been put up for debate. He called for MPs interested in discussing the matter to enroll their names.
The date of the next Hluttaw meeting will be announced in advance.—Aung Ye Thwin, Soe Win Tun (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)
