THE second Pyidaungsu Hluttaw held its 10th day meeting of 15th regular session yesterday, discussing urban restructuring plan and hearing reports of the Union Legal Aid Board and National Education Policy Commission.
It also voted for taking the loan from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of South Korea.
Speaker U T Khun Myat informed the urban restructuring plan sent by the President’s Office for renaming and resizing residential wards, village-tracts and villages in Kachin State, Sagaing Region, Magway Region and Mandalay Region. The Hluttaw put the plan on the record.
The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw also approved substitution of Tatmadaw member in the Joint Committee on ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, replacing Major Zawana with Brig-Gen Zaw Myint San.
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Joint Bill Committee’s Secretary Dr Myat Nyana Soe presented the controversial Myanmar Geoscience Council bill, and it was discussed by the Hluttaw MPs. The Speaker announced the approval of the bill with the recommendations of the Ministry of Education and the Joint Bill Committee.
Union Legal Aid Board Report
The six-month period report of Union Legal Aid Board was discussed by the Hluttaw representatives and its Secretary U Khin Zaw and Judge of Supreme Court of Union U Thar Htay replied to the discussions.
Secretary U Khin Zaw said their legal body was formed to help in legal defences, with providing legal services to the common people.
He also explained employment of staff members at the board in accordance with instructions of President, the Union government and law and bylaws for civil service personnel.
He added the board has not employed foreign or local advisors by using the State revenue. Moreover, it did not receive cash donations from local or foreign donors. Instead, it got legal books, desks and tables. These donation items were listed and reported to the Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry in accordance with the existing law.
Judge U Thar Htay reported the coordination among the chief judges of State/Region High Courts to be able to form township level legal aid boards and the budgets of the Supreme Court of the Union. He also explained the budget affairs of the board by seeking approval from the Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry.
The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker announced to put the six-month report of Union Legal Aid Board on the record.
National Education Policy Commission Report
The six-month report of the National Education Policy Commission (for the period from 10 April to 9 October 2019) was discussed by the MPs and it was explained by NEPC Chairman Dr Myo Kywal and Deputy Minister for Education U Win Maw Tun.
The Speaker also announced to put the report, discussions of MPs and explanations of commission and the ministry on the record.
EDCF loan from South Korea
Deputy Minister for Electricity and Energy explained getting a loan from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund of South Korea for natural gas pipeline upgrade project which has been planned to be implemented between Magway and Shwedaung townships without damaging environment in the respective areas.
The US$113.036 million loan plan was approved by the Hluttaw. There were 430 votes for and 1 against the motion, with 1 abstention.
Joint Public Accounts Committee’s report
The Hluttaw also discussed tax revenue during the second-six months of 2018-2019 financial year at the Union Ministries and organizations sent by the Union Government and the Joint Public Accounts Committee’s 2/2020 report on findings and recommendations.
MP U Khin Cho from Hlaingbwe constituency discussed tax reform plans and finding the root causes for the financial losses at the state-owned factories.
MP Daw Cho Cho from Ottwin constituency discussed adopting an appropriate policy for tax as it is the main source for government budget and expenditures in a democratic country amidst a high unemployment rate and huge gap of income.
She also advised the importance of efficient tax collection procedures to increase state revenue.
The issue was also discussed by the other seven MPs.
The 11th day meeting of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw will be organized on 21 February.
Aung Ye Thwin and Aye Aye Thant
(Translated by Aung Khin)
Photo; Soe Win Tun
Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar