14 Feb 2012 — The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw continued its 11th day session at Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Hall of Hluttaw Building, here, at 10 am today, attended by Speaker of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw U Khin Aung Myint, Speaker of the Pyithu Hluttaw Thura U Shwe Mann and 556 Pyidaungsu Hluttaw representatives.

With regard to the proposal submitted on 10 February 2012 by U Thurein Zaw of Kawkareik Constituency “urging the Union government, in the interest of the entire people, to take action on suggestions of the Pyithu Hluttaw Public Accounts Committee on the findings of the Union Auditor-General over the river water pumping projects, dams and diversion weirs built by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation as the suggestions are crucial issues for the people and urged Pyidaungsu Hluttaw to approve it”, U Thein Aung of Thanbyuzayat Constituency, U Myo Myint of Mandalay Region Constituency No. 6, U Kyaw Thu Oo of Magway Region Constituency No. 5, Dr Khin Shwe of Yangon Region Constituency No. 9, Dr Aye Maung of Rakhine State Constituency No. 1, U Ohn Tin of Rakhine State Constituency No. 10, U Than Tun of Dabayin Constituency, U Sai Kyaw Myint of Mongnai Constituency and U Ohn Ngwe of Myaung Constituency participated in the discussions.

They said that it should give priority to benefits from construction of dams and reservoirs. It should consider cost and advantage in implementing the river water pumping projects, they said. As the finding of the Union Auditor- General was based on some dams, it should make more scrutiny on remaining dams and reservoirs, they noted.

They added calculation on advantage of water supply facilities from river water pumping projects should be based on lesser water consumed crops but not on paddy. They noted that in addition to building new dams, the existing dams and reservoirs are to be maintained for meeting the set standards. It should emphasize completion of the implementing dam projects, they said. In drawing and implementing the policies, it should consider public participation and suggestions of private sector, they said. It should undertake systematic calculation in building embankments with the use of heavy machinery to protect against seawater similar to that of other dams and reservoirs, and they said they supported the proposal.

Today’s session ended at 1 pm and the 12th day session will be held on 16 February 2012.