The sixth day session of Pyithu Hluttaw was held at Pyithu Hluttaw Hall in Hluttaw Building here today, attended by Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw Thura U Shwe Mann and 358 Pyithu Hluttaw representatives.
During today’s session, seven questions were raised and answered, one new proposal was submitted, one bill was approved and one important proposal was submitted and additional members were assigned to a commission of Pyithu Hluttaw.
Pyithu Hluttaw received the Election Commission Bill on 17 February approved by Amyotha Hluttaw and Pyithu Hluttaw has invited those representatives who want to discuss the bill to enlist their names not later than 25 February as the bill committee of Pyithu Hluttaw will scrutinize and introduce the bill to Pyithu Hluttaw.
During the question and answer session, U G Phone Sar of Nagmon Constituency asked whether local people in the Khakaborazi National Park would be allowed to search and trade herbal plants and roots in the park for their livelihood.
Union Minister for Environmental Conservation and Forestry U Win Tun replied that the Khakaborazi National Park occupies an area of 1,472 square miles (942080 acres) and located in Nagmon Township, Putao District, Kachin State. It was established as a natural reserve in 1996.
According to the Subsection (b) of the Section 7 and the Subsection (a) of the Section 8 of the Protection of Wildlife and Conservation of Natural Areas Law enacted in 1994, the Ministry of Forestry announced the Notification No 78/98 on 10 November, 1998, and established the Khakaborazi National Park, he said.
He continued to say that Khakaborazi National Park which was well-known as the Myanmar’s northern-most forests linking with the eastern area of the Himalaya Mountain Range was included in the lists for conservation for its rich biodiversities. The new species were found in the park recently and the finding had helped research works and the park had attracted researchers and scientists, he added.
The Subsection (e) of the Section 29 and the Subsection (a) and (c) of the Section 30 of the1994 Protection of Wildlife and Conservation of Natural Areas Law had prohibited the digging, plucking, collecting and doing something related to the plants in natural areas. Therefore, the searching and trading herbal plants and roots in the national park had been prohibited legally.
According to the protection of wildlife and conservation of natural areas bylaws, searching and exploitation of herbal plants and roots had been allowed within a limit at the border of the park and in the area established between the border and in the park, he added.
In an attempt to improve socio-economic life of the local people in Nagmon area, the Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry and INGOs had been making efforts for creating jobs based on agriculture and other jobs for them in accordance with the rules and regulations of the State, he said.
Afterwards, Deputy Minister for Electric Power No. 2 U Aung Than Oo answered seven questions related to the power supply sector. U Aung Kyaw Khin of Kyauktan constituency asked whether the ministry had a plan to install power cables to Ayemyathida Ward, Shwepyithaya Ward and Thidar Myaing Ward in Kyauktan Township.
The deputy minister replied that to install the cables to the wards, the ministry would spend estimated 48 million kyats on installation of cables and establishment of one 315-KV transformer in Ayemyathida Ward, estimated 68 million kyats on installation of cables and 500 KVA transformer in Shwepyithaya Ward.
The ministry would need over 230 million kyats to supply power to the three wards and the budget would be limited to supply power to the three wards simultaneously. Therefore, the ministry would seek annual budget for supply power to each ward.
U Win Myint of Myingyan constituency asked whether the ministry had a plan to supply power to Hsimikhon area in Myingyan Township, Mandalay Region. He replied that there was a 66/11 KV 5 MVA sub-power station built by the Water Resources Utilization Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation in Hsimikhon area. The sub-power station had transported power to Hsimikhon-1 river water pumping station through 11 KV cables, to Hsimikhon-2 river water pumping station through 3.73 MVA cables and Nganhmyar river water pumping station through 5.745 MVA cables, he said.
The 66/11 KV 5 MVA Sub-power Station was established to supply power to the three river water pumping stations which would benefit 12972 acres of farmland.
However, the three stations currently used only 2.5 MW, benefitting 2059 acres and 1.5 MW was in surplus. AS the was no more farmland to be irrigated by the three stations, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation could allow to supply the surplus power to Hsimikhon area.
Therefore, 11 KV cables would install and two 200 KVA transformers or one 315 KVA transformer would be built to supply power to the area and the work are to be carried out in self-reliance basis.
The work would be allowed if it was agreed with the rules and regulations of the Ministry of Electric Power No. 2 and the ministry would also assist in the work.
Dr Daw Aye Myint of Shwedaung Constituency asked whether there is a plan to replace 100 KVA transformer of Energy Ministry in use at Ngwarmayan village in Ngwarmayan village-tract in Shwedaung Township in Bago Region with 200 KVA transformer. The deputy minister answered: As Ngwarmayan village in Ngwarmayan village-tract in Shwedaung Township of Bago Region is close to oil storage and distribution division of the Energy Ministry, the electricity is supplied to the village from (11/0.4) KV, 100 KVA transformer which supplies electricity to the oilfield of the Energy Ministry. Following higher number of electricity consumers, reaching 201, more electricity consumption at night and oil pumps and water pumps run by the Energy Ministry, the existing transformer becomes far from meeting the demand and electricity cut took place in the village and staff quarters.
For distributing round-the-clock electricity to the village, the transformer owned by the Energy Ministry will no more be used in the 2012-2013 fiscal year and new 100 KVA transformer will be installed.
U Kyaw Soe Lay of Mohnyin Constituency said Nabar-Mohnyin- Mogaung 66 KVA Power Grid has been completed cent per cent and asked when the electricity will be distributed through the power grid, whether electricity will be supplied to village-tracts in Mohnyin and Mogaung Townships, which villages, if any, will receive electricity, and how the villages out of the project can get access to electricity.
The deputy minister answered: The power grid is under construction. Nabar-Mohnyin section has been completed by 95 per cent and Mohnyin-Mogaung section by 82 per cent. Each (66/11) KV 5 MVA power station is being built in Mohnyin and Mogaung. These are completed by 50 per cent and will distribute electricity when the power grid is completed in the 2011-2012 fiscal year. Villages nearby Mohnyin and Mogaung could get access to electricity by installing 11 KV power grids from these stations, (11/0.4) KV transformers in the villages and 400 V power grid. As in other Regions or States, these measures are to be taken by their own efforts.
The Ministry of Electric Power No (2) will allow and provide technical assistances if electrification committees of the villages submit applications satisfying 24 requirements for village electrification tasks issued by the Ministry of Electric Power No (2). The ministry is striving to supply electricity to the whole country. Apart from Kachin State, it is working simultaneously to supply electricity to Chin, Shan and Rakhine States. If the power grids are completed, Mohnyin, Mogaung, Hopang and Myitkyina will get access to round-the-clock electricity. U Sikhamram of Khaunglanphu Constituency asked whether there is a plan to build small-scale hydropower plant three miles from Ahtam creek for supplying electricity to downtown Khaunglanphu.
The deputy minister answered: The constitution states small- and -medium-scale hydropower distribution tasks are to be carried out by legislation of respective Region/State. Ahtam creek lies about three miles from Khaunglanphu. Feasibility tests for building small-scale hydropower plant were conducted in 2008. Electricity can be supplied to Khaunglanphu with 41 households using electricity. Other households are scattering. Stretching low voltage power grid will have to be installed to supply electricity from three-mile distance to wider population. Solar and wind power systems should be installed under the programme of respective states.
The ministry has planned to install 30 KVA power station to distribute electricity to wider consumers in the 2012-2013 fiscal year. It will be carried out, based on fund allotment. The ministry provided oil for two hours a day to towns where electricity is supplied by generators. To distribute electricity for more hours, regional authority and local consumers have to pay the cost for oil.
U Zaw Win Aung of Myinmu Constituency asked whether electricity distribution network can be established from 33 KVA power grid of Myinmu Township in Sagaing District and ChaungU in Monywa District. The deputy minister answered: (33/6.6) KV 2 MVA power station was built in Myinmu and 33 KVA power grid was installed from Dagundine power station in Mandalay. The electricity was supplied to Myinmu through Ywathitgyi of Sagaing.
Upon completion of Ohntaw power station (Kantalu) in 2010, the electricity is supplied to Myinmu from Ohntaw (Kantalu) power station through 33 KVA power grid. It reduces the length of power grid by 20 miles and increase voltage. One (33/11) KV 5 MVA transformer replaced the (33/6.6) KV 2 MVA transformer in Myinmu in September 2010. (6.6/0.4) KV Transformers in downtown areas were replaced with (11/.0.4) KV transformers. Despite electricity cuts for various reasons, there is no cut for two or three days in a row and for the whole day. For installing new power grids, the electricity is cut in day time and the distribution resumes at night.
Myinmu is 20 miles far from 33 KV power station in ChaungU. But the main power station is in Monywa, only 37 miles from Myinmu. Power grid between Monywa and ChaungU is for ChaungU alone and small in size. To connect Myinmu and ChaungU, new 20-mile 33 KV power grid is assumed to be installed. Actually, it is needed to install 37-mile 33 KVA power grid from Aungchantha power station in Monywa. It is technically inappropriate. For installing 33 KVA power grid, the overall estimate is K 800 million. The government has to use the fund in installing power grid.
It is not necessary to install 33 KVA power grid between Myinmu and ChaungU. U Thein Nyunt of Thingangyun Constituency submitted the proposal that the Hluttaw urged the government to establish National Anti-Corruption Commission independent and reliable by the people for taking actions against corruption in order to emerge Clean Government and Good Governance.
The date for discussion of the proposal will be announced again and those who want to discuss it are to register today evening. At bill discussion and approval session, with respect to the proposal on “Workers dispute settlement bill”, Union Minister for Labour U Aung Kyi replied: all presentation for amending it by Bill Committees and Daw Nan Say Awa of Hpa-an Constituency are agreed upon. The proposal of U Thaung Han of Yinmabin Constituency on adding new para under para 49 in principle is agreed to.
But, phrases that include in the proposal are to be amended as those in Bill Section (1) so as to make it clear. U Thaung Han of Yinmabin Constituency presented the agreement on the amended proposal because of being reasonable one. The Hluttaw approved the amended bill with “Yes” votes.
In addition to the existing labour union laws, that bill is submitted urgently which is needed for the formation of Labour Unions soon in Myanmar in accord with the law. It is drafted in line with international standards. After it has been approved, the labour unions could settle the labour disputes in accord with the laws. Thanks to the urgent formation of labour unions, Myanmar would achieve the international recognitions regarding the Myanmar’s democratization processes. ILO would have factors to lift ban on Myanmar.
According to, Bill Committee Chairman submitted the proposal on “ To fix the dates for discussions on particular projects submitted in National Planning Bill in accord with the Pyithu Hluttaw Bylaw 133 with the Union Minister for National Planning and Economic Development as the way Budget Bill was discussed in accord with Union Hluttaw Bylaw 89 (a) and submitting to obey the prescriptions described in Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Bylaws 85,86, 87, 88, 89, 90 and 91 to Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, as an important proposal. It was approved with “yes” vote.
Representatives Dr Nay Lin, Dr Win Myint, U Tin Maung Oo, U Win Than, U Win Oo, Dr Maung Maung Wint, U Kyi Tha, U Aye Mauk, U Thein Lwin, U Kyi Min, U Min Swe, U Mann Maung Maung Nyan, Daw Nan Wah Nu, U Sai Thiha Kyaw, U Ba Shein, Dr Soe Yin, Col Htay Naing, Col Myint Ko Ko and Col Tint Hsan and those from outside -U Myint Swe and U Khin Maung Soe, U Nay Win, U Win Myint, U Tin Htwe, U Taik San, U Toe Naing Mann, U Win Thein, U Aye Lwin and U Thein Oo as members of Legal Affairs and Special Affairs Assessment Commission.
Political Affairs and Security Affairs subcommission, Economic Affairs subcommission, Social and Cultural Affairs subcommission, Science, Technology, Research, Information and Communication Technology sub-commission and Legal Affairs sub-commission, covered by the commission will be formed with suitable persons. The Hluttaw approved the assignment of new members. The meeting came to an end at 2:30 pm and will go on at 10 am 22-2-2012.