15 July
Amyotha Hluttaw held the second-day meeting of its 17th regular session yesterday.
MP U Win Aung from Sagaing Region constituency 3 asked about the delay in response of Ministry of Defence to the recommendation of scrutinizing committees to return of 100 acres out of the confiscated lands by the MEC for sugar mill project in Kanbalu Township from 183 local farmers and to give out compensations for the used lands.
Deputy Minister for Defence Real-Admiral Myint Nwe replied that the scrutinizing committees mentioned the 100 acres of land as the surplus land, however, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued permits for these lands, and are being utilized for the sugar mill and sugarcane plantation.
The Deputy Minister continued to say that there is no extra land and compensations have been given out to the owners since the time the lands were confiscated, and that these lands will not be released or compensation will not be given out again.
MP U Kyaw Than from Rakhine State constituency 10 asked about possible plan to withdraw retirement pension of civil service personnel in their townships.
Deputy Minister for Planning, Finance and Industry U Maung Maung Win replied that the retired persons from civil and military organizations can take out their pensions at the branches of Myanma Economic Bank with the orders of Pension Department, while those from enterprises and municipal committees can receive their pensions in the areas of their workplaces and locations of respective industries monthly, quarterly, biannually or annually, or at the branches of Myanma Economic Bank when the respective enterprises and committees.
The Deputy Minister also said the retired persons can take their pensions through mobile services such as e-pension card, Myanmar mobile money and Wave Money.
MP U Si Hu Dwe from Kachin State constituency 2 asked about construction of reinforced concrete structure to prevent flood of Ayeyawady River in Myitkyina Township.
Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Hla Kyaw replied that the Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department will manage the project, and budget will be allocated from the fund of Kachin State government.
MP Dr Khun Win Thaung from Kachin State constituency 11 asked for organizing inter-university swimming competitions to promote this sport and to resume contesting ASEAN University Games, and he also asked about refilling the positions for president and vice-president at Myanmar Swimming Federation.
Deputy Minister for Health and Sports Dr Mya Lay Sein replied that the Myanmar Olympic Committee has assigned the Director-General of Sports and Physical Education Department for the duties of Acting President of Myanmar Swimming Federation, and the filling of the positions will be carried out when sport activities are allowed to resume.
The Deputy Minister added swimming sport is jointly promoted by the Ministry of Health and Sports and the Ministry of Education by organizing summer swimming courses, basic swimming courses in respective regions and states, organizing swimming competitions, conducting training courses and training programmes with foreign trainers.
MP U Soe Win from Rakhine State constituency 12 asked about settlement on controversial records between the farmers and Department of Agricultural Land Management and Statistics.
Deputy Minister U Hla Kyaw answered it.
MP U Soe Moe from Ayeyawady Region constituency 1 asked for the Ministry of Health and Sports to get back the two sport grounds in Pathein Township.
Deputy Minister Dr Mya Lay Sein replied it.
Amyotha Hluttaw Bill Committee member Daw Kyein Ngeik Man explained the report of bill committee on Microfinance Bill sent by the Pyithu Hluttaw with recommendations. Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than approved the bill with the decision of Hluttaw. Amyotha Hluttaw’s Agriculture, Livestock and Fishery Development Committee member Saw Sha Phaung Owa read out the report of committee about reduction of side effects from chemical residues in agricultural sector.
The Speaker invited the list of MPs who want to discuss the report. The third-day of Amyotha Hluttaw will convene on 15 July.
Aung Ye Thwin (Translated by Aung Khin)
