The Pyithu Hluttaw session continued for the eighth day at Pyithu Hluttaw Hall in Hluttaw Complex here today, attended by Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann and 351 MPs. The actions of the Hluttaw were put on record, eight questions asked and answered and two new proposals submitted at today’s session. The Hluttaw put the official goodwill visit of Myanmar delegation led by Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann to the People’s Republic of China from 22 February, 2012 to 26 February, 2012 at the invitation of Chairman Mr Wu Bangguo of the National People’s Congress of China. The 11-member delegation led by the Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker, at the invitation of Chairman Mr Wu Bangguo of the National People’s Congress of China, paid a goodwill visit to People’s Republic of China from 22 February, 2012 to 26 February, 2012. On their tour, the Myanmar delegation held talks with Chairman Mr Wu Bangguo of the National People’s Congress, Mr Jia Qinglin, member of Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of Chinese Communist Party Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Vice-Chairman Mr Lu Kongxiang of National People’s Congress, Mr Li Yuanchao, member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Chen Bingde. The tour was a complete success and the talks could bear fruit results, fostering the friendly ties and cooperation between the influential organization NPC and the Pyithu Hluttaw, strengthening the amicable relationship and cooperation between the people of China and Myanmar. The Myanmar delegation invited Mr Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the National People’s Congress to pay a visit to Myanmar.

Next, the Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker said that each and every citizen has to abide by the existing laws enacted by the government including the constitution. Time has changed and so has the system. Efforts out of sound judgment are needed for the real system change, which means respecting the 2008 Constitution ratified by the majority of the people. Especially, Pyithu Hluttaw representatives need to respect and abide by more. In addition, Pyithu Hluttaw representatives need to make sure each other Pyithu Hluttaw representatives and related organizations abide by the constitution properly and appropriately. Pyithu Hluttaw representatives have to appreciate their dutybound legal actions and make mutual cooperation and reciprocal monitoring. The Hluttaw will put the actions of the MPs correctly practicing this concept on record. Next, the Hluttaw put Hluttaw representatives correctly discharging their duties through mutual cooperation and reciprocal monitoring in line with the existing laws on the record.

Union Minister for Finance and Revenue U Hla Tun replied to the queries raised by two Hluttaw representatives. Regarding the question asked by Daw Tin Nwe Oo of Dagon Myothit (North) constituency constituency about “if there is any ,effective work programmes enabling the pensioners take out pension easily and whether pension can be transferred to the bank account”, the Union Minister replied that it has been instructed to give out pension in ten days before the end of month beginning February, 2012 in the time of the new government. So, the pensioners can take out pensions more easily as the time has been extended. Currently, there have been a total of 7425 pensioners taking out pensions at Myanma Economic Bank (branch) in Dagon Myothit (North) Township, Yangon Region and now they can take out their pensions conveniently.

Since October, 1972 when it started giving out pensions, the Myanmar Economic Bank has offered cash transfer service to those pensioners who open fixed account or current account at their volition. They can transfer their pensions into their accounts. In response to the 70 pensioners, Myanma Economic Bank in Dagon Myothit (North) transfers their pensions into their accounts monthly. The Myanma Economic Bank, being a State-owned bank, is providing services to ensure the smooth functioning of the government banking mechanism. Regarding the question about “if there is a plan to launch fast money transfer through fax in Nagmon Township” asked by U J Phon Sar of Nagmon Constituency, the Union Minister answered that his ministry has coordinated with the Myanma Posts and Telegraphs to launch fax money transfer in the township. The Myanma Economic Bank has fixed a CDMA mobile phone in Nagmon treasury, arrangements will be made for transferring and receiving of money through fax. But, according to the current conditions of the Nagmon treasury, although it can transfer unlimited amount of money to other Myanma Economic Banks, other banks can only transfer up to K 100,000 to it.

Next, Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Ko Ko replied to the questions of three Hluttaw representatives. Regarding the question of U Ko Gyi from Aungmyethazan Constituency about “if there is plan to put Phonetawtoe Ward within the boundary of Mandalay City Development Affairs Committee”, the Union Minister replied that it is learnt that Tatmyo Development Affairs Committee is carrying out development works for Phonetawtoe Ward of Aungmyethazan Township of Mandalay Region. It is the work of the Mandalay Region government to designate the residential land plots Nos 41, 42 and 43 within the boundary of Tatmyo as the boundary of Mandalay City Development Affairs Committee. The final decision of the Defence Ministry must be asked to do so and upon its agreement, residential land plots except the land owned by the military will be announced as land under the management of the government and the rights to manage the land will be vested to the Mandalay City Development Affairs Committee. The Ministry of Home Affairs no more handle the land management of Mandalay as the Mandalay City Development Laws was enacted on 14 November, 2002. So, Mandalay region government, Mandalay City development Affairs Committee will have to coordinate with the Defence Ministry to put Phonetawtow Ward under the management of Mandalay City Development Affairs Committee.

Regarding the question of U Ohn Ngwe from Myaungmya Constituency about “if there is a plan to pass judgment on disputes over alluvial land ownership in accordance with the existing laws and procedures,’ the Union Minister replied that there have been disputes over alluvial land ownership on the Ayeyawady River between Shwe Paukpin Village of Myaung Township in Sagaing Region and Kyigon Village of Ngazun Township in Mandalay Region since 2007, which has even grown into fierce group fight between the farmers of the two villages, calling for the arbitration of the local authorities concerned. The Settlement and Land Records Department (headquarters) and Land Records Departments at different levels have demarcated the alluvial land, apart from the arbitration of the local authorities concerned and the general administration departments of the two districts and townships to ensure no more disputes over the land between the tow villages. It is up to the farmers to follow the rules to ensure there is no trespassing of the demarcation. If one side trespasses and cultivates over the demarcation line, the other side can file against it at courts at different levels to receive the fair judgment. Regarding the question of U Zone Taint of Chiphwe Constituency on “there is any plan to form Administrative Court that can justify disputes, discontents and losses,” Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Ko Ko replied: The government is protecting the people’s rights. Actions are being taken against bribery, corruptions and abuse of power that usually prevail in administrative mechanism in accord with the prescribed services regulations and existing laws.

If a staff’s duty causes a loss to a person or an organization, that person or that organization can complaint about it to his or her departmental officials. The departments have to take actions against that staff if the complaint is true. He or she shall be charged at respective courts if his or her faults are serious or he or she shall be sentenced in line with the laws if the court finds him or her guilty of it. A citizen can apply for writs if management and judicial undertakings cause a loss to a citizen’s right. The Supreme Court of the Union is carrying out the hearings on it. So, there are remedies for these citizens. It can be seen that the formation of Administrative Courts has not been prescribed in the Constitution. No need to form Administrative Courts as the existing laws and procedures that can justify disputes, discontents and losses among citizens have already included in the executive body. Those citizens who suffer the losses are to complaint about it to respective administrative bodies. After that, two Hluttaw representatives raised three questions on education. With respects to question of U Than Nwe of Butalin Constituency on “there is any plan to raise stipends of university students in the 2012-2013 Academic Year and students shall enjoy increased stipends if raised” and “ there is any plan to have own websites in universities across the country” Union Minister for Education Dr Mya Aye replied: To turn out the qualified human resources and to grant stipends for university students, the government will conferred honourable prizes on the 28 students who stood first at Regions/State level in science and arts combination matriculation exams and 20 top ten students at the countrylevel exam—ten from science combination and ten from arts.

Starting the 2012-2013 Academic Year, scholarships to be conferred on the university/colleges students for ten months in a year are as follows: monthly cash assistance of K 0.1 million for students of University of Medicine or University of Dental Medicine under the Ministry of Health; monthly assistance of K 80,000 for students of university/college under the Ministry of Transport, monthly assistance of K 70,000 for students of universities and colleges under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and the rest universities except University of Medicine or University of Dental Medicine; monthly assistance of K 50,000 for students of universities and colleges under the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Border Affairs, Ministry of Cooperatives, Ministry of Culture and Union Civil Services Board. At the start of the academic year, cash assistance of K 0.1 million will be granted to the students for their preparatory expenses. With respect to the second question, the Minister replied: Ministry of Education has no any plan to have own websites in universities at present. But, all of these universities have been equipped with internet access. Respecting the question of U Sai Ngaung Hsaing Hein of Maukmai Constituency on “Continued measures for analysis of education indexes in the time of the new government,” the Minister replied: Ministry of Education has started implementing 30-year national education promotion programme since the 2001-2012 academic year.

Checking of basic education schools in basic education sector and of universities and colleges in higher education sector, plays an important part in successful implementation of short-and long-term plans. Education indexes are being used based on 12 benchmarks for basic education schools—seven for quality and five for appearance, 12 benchmarks for education colleges—seven for quality and five for appearance and 12 benchmarks for universities and degree colleges—eight for quality and four for management. At proposal-submitting session, Chairman of Pyithu Hluttaw Economic and Trade Development Committee U Maung Maung Thein submitted the proposal on “Urging to cease procedures asking for temporary vehicles registration fees of authorized vehicle import companies and organizations including Directorate of Road Administration like unlicensed vehicles’ fines and to review it in accord with the law and Pyithu Hluttaw Judicial and Legal Affairs Committee Chairman Thura U Aung Ko, on “to amend The Arbitration (Protocol and Convention) Act (Act No.VI, 1937) (19th January, 1937).” With respect to U Maung Maung Thein’s proposal, the Hluttaw decided that before submitting it to the Hluttaw directly, Pyithu Hluttaw Committee were to continue to coordinate respective ministry and organizations. The date will be announced later for discussion on Thura U Aung Ko’s proposal. The representatives who want to discuss it are to register their names this evening. The meeting came to an end at 12.55 pm and the nine day session will be announced.