Fourth regular session of First Pyithu Hluttaw continued for the third day at Pyithu Hluttaw Hall of Hluttaw Building here this morning, attended by Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann and 414 representatives.

At the meeting, eight questions were raised and answered, one proposal discussed and one proposal submitted. At the questionand –answer session, Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement U Aung Kyi replied the questions on fire brigades.

With respect to the question raised by U Myint Soe of Pyawbwe Constituency on “there is any plan to build a new fire station for Ward No.4 of Pyawbwe Township, Textile Factory and Cotton ginning factory of Ministry of Industry”, the Union Minister replied: In summer, duties will be assigned to township fire brigade members with one fire engine for fire safety measure at the suitable place in accord with the wishes of people. In addition, preliminary basic fire services course will be conducted for fire safety measures of Textile Factory and Cotton ginning factory. At present, there is no plan to open a new fire station in Pyawbwe Township.

Regarding the question raised by U Sai Tun Sein of Mongping Constituency on “there is any plan to appoint members of Fire Services Department for natural disaster preparedness in Mongping Township”, the Union Minister answered: Establishment of unit-2 level fire station in Mongping Sub-township has been allowed.

At present, two members and one fire engine have been assigned there. It will be provided with members and one fire engine. Likewise, Plans are under way to provide at least two fire engines in townships in which there is no fire engine and in which there is one only during this financial year.

With respect to the question of U Win Myint of Pyay Constituency on “there is any plan to reconstruct broken Wetmyaetaw Dam”, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Khin Zaw replied: Wetmyaetaw Dam broke due to heavy rain and floods caused by the climate change.

There will be no long-term durability if the broken dam is reconstructed at its original site. So, it needs to build diversion weir, based on water from the spillway of North Na Win dam. Drawing design, calculation of estimated costs will be carried out based on facts gained from a survey on ground exploration, hydrology and geology. Then, it will be submitted to Pyidaungsu Hluttaw with the approval of Union Government, and implemented after getting approval.

Regarding the question of U Than Win of Taungdwingyi Constituency on “there is any plan to build a diversion weir by damming Set Set Yo watercourse”, the Deputy Minister replied: To protect Taungdwingyi from floods, it needs to build Set Set Yo diversion weir. Necessary survey and calculation of estimated costs will be carried out in order that construction of it can start in 2013-2014 fiscal year. The proposal on the diversion weir construction will be submitted to Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. It will be implemented when Union Government gives green light and grant funds.

With respect to the question raised by U Kyi Myint of Latha Constituency on “he would like to know amount of agricultural loan disbursements to farmers by the government, private companies and banks, including input values”, “how much loan could be collected so far”, “how much loan arrears would be if last year loan arrears are added” and “there is any plan to change loan policy”, the deputy minister answered:

Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation has already granted loan of K 352.722 billion during 2011-2012 financial year. K 334.868 billion of K 352.722 billion could be collected and K 17.854 billion are in arrears. During 2011-2012 financial year, agricultural loan disbursement to farmers by private companies, including input values are: 54 Paddy specialized companies (K31.061 billion); 10 Beans and Pulses Specialized Companies (K 5.170 billion); and two Crops Specialized Companies (K1.960 billion), totaling K 38.191 billion. K 24.337 of K 38.191 billion could be collected and K 13.854 billion are in arrears. When Loan arrears of K 0.122 billion for 2009-2010 are added to Loan arrears of K 1.702 billion for 2010-2011, loan arrears of private crops specialized companies would be K 15.678 billion.

So, loan disbursements to farmers by Myanma Agricultural Development Bank and private crops specialized companies, amount to K390.913 billion. K 359.205 billion of K 390.913 billion, could be collected and K 31.708 billion are in arrears. Total loan arrears will be K 33.532 billion when that amount is added to previous year loan arrears of private crops specialized companies. MADB has no any plan to change loan disbursement policy.

With respect to the question raised by U Htay Lwin of Namhsan Constituency on “there is any plan to open Myanma Economic Bank (branch) in Kholan sub-township”, Union Minister for Finance and Revenue U Hla Tun replied: To open a bank in Kholan sub-township needs building, treasury, furniture, appointment of staff, staff’s accommodation and help of Myanmar Police Force for security. At present, MEB can not open its branches in Namhsan Township and Kholan Sub-township. Only when the regions see more development, will it be opened after being submitted to Union Government. But, plans are under way to open Inwa Bank (branch) of Myanma Economic Corporation (MEC).

Regarding the question raised by U Tin Maung Oo of Shwepyitha Constituency on “there is any plan to publisized the business-wise taxpaying of entrepreneurs”, the Union Minister answered: Inland Revenue Department has announced 100 top taxpayers who pay revenue and trade taxes for 2012-2013 year. Such announcement aims at knowing the dutifulness of individual taxpayers and a group of taxpayer. According to the right of taxpayers, secret businesses and related matters could not be publisized. So, there is no any plan to publisize businesswise taxpaying at present.

Regarding the question of U Ou Yal (a) U Oo Yal of Prusho Constituency whether there is plan to designate Prusho as remote region, the minister answered that Prusho covered with dense forests where deep ravines exist is difficult to access. To be labeled as the remote region, the proposal needs to be made to the Home Ministry through respective state governments. The Home Ministry after scrutiny passed the proposal to the Union government.

U Kyi Tha of Gwa Constituency, U Myint Soe of Pyawbwe Constituency, U Aung Kyaw Khin of Kyauktan Constituency, U Aye Naing of Hsinpaungwe Constituency, U Ko Gyi of Aungmyaythazan Constituency, Dr Aung Moe Nyo of Pwintbyu Constituency, U Khin Maung Yi (a) U Khaing Maung Yi of Ahlon Constituency and Dr Zaw Myint Maung of Kyauktan Constituency discussed the proposal submitted by U Aye Mauk of Mahlaing Constituency on 4 July “urging the Union government to set timeframe to draft standards bill in regions and fields enact laws”.

Deputy Minister for Science and Technology Dr Ko Ko Oo discussed that the drafting of the standard bill is being finalized. If the bill is approved, national level standard council will be formed at the first step. Scholars from relevant ministries and nongovernmental organizations will be invited and respective standards will be drafted.

Technical subcommittees will be formed to draft quality and environmental management standards. Coordination meetings with respective ministries, NGOs and scholars are being held.

As the proposal is convincing, the decision of the Hluttaw will be implemented.

The Hluttaw decided that the proposal of U Aye Mauk will be put on record and the Hluttaw will monitor the implementation as a pledge. U Thein Lwin of Chauk Constituency submitted the proposal “urging the Union government to coordinate, supervise and manage Myanmar’s energy sector more effectively”.

The date for discussion will be announced later and the representatives willing to discuss the proposal are to submit their name lists not later than 1 pm on 9 July.

Today’s session concluded at 3.20 pm and the fourth day session resumes on 9 July 2012.