July 14, 2020
The 17th regular session of second Pyidaungsu Hluttaw began yesterday, and its Speaker U T Khun Myat said in his opening remark that the session is scheduled till the last week of August, and will prioritize approvals of bills about the National Planning, the Union Budget and Union Taxation during this period.
The Speaker requested for understanding of combined teams, joint bill committees and the Joint Public Accounts Committee in limiting the periods for scrutinizing the plans and budgets in the bills due to the prevailing situations.
He added that the remaining bills and other Hluttaw procedures will be discussed in the order of priority, and the Hluttaw session will take a break from 8 to 18 August for the candidate scrutinizing processes of political parties to contest the third parliamentary elections.
MP U Tin Soe from Phakant constituency in Kachin State tabled a motion of condolences for the loss of lives and injured persons in landslide accident in his constituency on 2 July, and the motion was approved by the Hluttaw.
The Speaker and MPs of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw stood up for one-minute silence in memory of victims who perished in the accident.
Deputy Minister for Planning, Finance and Industry explained the Executive Order 1/2020 of President’s Office on the order concerning Union Tax Law in line with the authority conferred by section 212 of State Constitution and section 32 of Union Government Law as the order needs approval of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw in 60 days after issuance.
The law includes ‘right to enjoy 10 per cent of the additional wages and salaries during the 2019/20 income year as non-refundable tax credit’, ‘right to deduct 125 per cent of the additional wages and salaries paid during the 2019/20 income year as expenses’, ‘right to enjoy 10 per cent of the total value of the additional capital equipment that were increased by investment during the 2019/20 income year as non-refundable tax credit’ and ‘right to enjoy 125 per cent of the total depreciation of the additional capital equipment as “one time depreciation’.
The MoPFI has also announced rules and regulations to be exercised for tax relief as per this law.
The Deputy Minister sought approval of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw to approve the order.
The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker invited the list of MPs who want to discuss the order on 16 July.
Deputy Minister for Planning, Finance and Industry U Set Aung explained the COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan which is the detailed work plans to help private sectors, households, labours and farmers. He continued to say that the CERP needs to link with the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan, and the Economic Recovery Plan will also be designed to forester the link.
The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker invited the list of MPs who want to discuss the CERP on 17 July.
Deputy Minister U Set Aung also explained and submitted the National Planning Bill for 2020-2021FY to the Hluttaw, and the Speaker decided to discuss the bill in line with Pyidaungsu Hluttaw law and bylaw.
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Joint Bill Committee Secretary Dr Myat Nyana Soe presented the findings and recommendations of his committee on the controversial National Library Bill, and the Speaker invited the list of MPs who want to discuss the bill.
Deputy Minister for Planning, Finance and Industry U Maung Maung Win submitted the Union Budget Bill for 2020-2021 FY to the Hluttaw.
The Speaker replied that the Hluttaw has formed combined teams to scrutinize the projects and budgets of Union-level organizations in relation to the National Planning Bill and Union Budget Bill for 2020-2021FY.
He also advised the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Joint Bill Committee and the Joint Public Accounts Committee to submit their reports on the two bills by 7 August.
Joint Bill Committee Secretary Dr Myat Nyana Soe also presented the findings and recommendations of his committee on the controversial Animal Health and Livestock Breeding Development Bill, and the Speaker invited the list of MPs who want to discuss the bill.
Deputy Minister U Maung Maung Win sought approval of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw on the Union Taxation Law 2020, and the Speaker decided to discuss it in line with existing laws.
The second day meeting of 17th regular session of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw will convene on 16 July.—Mawsi, Han Lin Naing (Translated by Aung Khin)
