21 Feb 2012—The seventh day session of the Pyithu Hluttaw, attended by Speaker of the Pyithu Hluttaw Thura U Shwe Mann and 353 Pyithu Hluttaw representatives, continued at Pyithu Hluttaw Hall of Hluttaw Building, here, at 10.20 am today.

Seven questions were replied and one bill approved. The Speaker of the Pyithu Hluttaw submitted his message to be sent to the Speaker of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw.

U Kyaw Naing Htay of Indaw Constituency asked whether there is a plan to solve the problem that local people use muddy water in creeks nearby villages all the year round due to gold mining works. Union Minister for Mines U Thein Htaik replied that Myanma Gems Enterprise of the Ministry of Mines permitted five companies to carry out jade mining along Laytan Creek in Mohnyin Gems Land and supervise their works.

In jade mining works, 1500 feet in the blocks from the confluence, the companies excavate the stone layers with the use of backhoes and screen the stony soils with water. They store muddy water from the production again and use it once more.

The muddy water in the creek may be flowed from spilling the embankment. However, the water may not be muddy due to the fact that the muddy water has been settled in the sediment ponds. As both the mining blocks and farmlands are 15 miles from Laytan Creek, the mining works cannot damage the farmlands according to the survey.

The companies have been explained not to harm the natural environment and to emphasize flow of clean water to the creek by constructing the sediment lakes systematically.

The Ministry of Mines has issued directives to five gems mining companies for their works to cause muddy creek water, for abiding by the prescribed rules and regulations and withdraw the permits if they do not follow the rules and regulations. However, the inspection team cannot check their tasks due to regional situation. If the local situations are in good condition, supervision tasks will be undertaken.

Among four mining blocks, the nearest distance between the block and Laytan Creek is 20 miles and the farthest distance, 50 miles. With regard to flow of muddy water and bad quality of water in the creek, the inspection team will be sent to the region for making necessary supervision and some arrangements when the region is in good situation.

Deputy Minister for Construction U Soe Tint replied to two questions on construction sector by two Hluttaw representatives. U Hla Tun of Hkamti Constituency said that as Koetan Creek Bridge linking Thetkelkyin and Khatun villages on Monywa-Hkamti strategic road between is damaged due to erosion, the new bridge is under construction spending a large sum of money. Whether there is a plan to rebuild the bridge as a suspension bridge by the State. The deputy minister replied that 290-foot Koetan Creek Bridge was built temporarily in 2011-2012 fiscal year. Due to heavy rains and 13 feet high torrent water on 12-9-2006, the bridge was damaged. Then, the bridge could not be rebuilt depending on the fund and the temporary bridge was built there in open season annually.

Koetan Creek Bridge on Thetkelkyin- Phaungpyin-Homalin-Hkamti Road was included in the fifth five-year plan and it will commence in 2013-2014 fiscal year.

U Soe Soe of Htigyaing Constituency asked whether there is a plan to build a culvert on Kwanbaung Creek on Htigyaing-Kyaunggon Road near Kwanton-Kyaukaik Village. The deputy minister replied that Sagaing Region spends its fund on maintenance and upgrading of the road, construction of retaining wall and conduits.

Htigyaing-Kyaunggon Road is under management of the Region Government. Due to strong current of the creek, it should build a bridge than the culvert. Thus, the fund is being sought from the region government to build 250-foot Kwanbaung Bridge in 2012- 2013.

Union Minister for Transport U Nyan Tun Aung replied to four questions raised by three Hluttaw representatives.

U Win Myint of Pyay Constituency asked whether Marine Administration Department will have a plan to manage landslides in Pyay Township due to bank erosion that local people lose housings and plantations and he asked whether there is a plan to make arrangements for small passenger aircrafts to land at Pyay Airport of Bago Region. The Union Minister replied that the Ministry of Transport is taking responsibility for waterway and aviation sectors. Its aim depends on raising the funds of the ministry. Thus, the ministry is difficult to take responsibilities for maintenance of bank erosion and landslides along all rivers and the delta region. In conducting survey of buildings and necessary measurements for Myaywa River Water Pumping Project, the area was eroded due to over volume of water. In this regard, the project is being implemented to store necessary volume of water by applying technology. However, the ministry does not have the funds not only for the bank erosion in Pyay but also in all landslides along all rivers of the nation including that of the delta region. Township authorities are to submit matters related to bank erosions to the President Office through respective region/state governments. The President Office will allot the separate budget for the tasks. The ministry will not allot its fund for the bank erosion.

Regarding the second question, Myanmar is practicing market economy, the minister said. Aircrafts once landed Pyay Airport which is under maintenance of Civil Aviation Department now, he said. As there is no passenger, there is no flight grounding Pyay Airport, the minister pointed out. If the representatives wish the airport to operate flights and they can assign an agent there and book passengers for half of the flight, the aircrafts are ready to board them, the Union minister answered.

U Tin Maung of Chanmyathazi Constituency asked whether there is a plan to upgrade Chanmyathazi Airport in Mandalay Region by the Union government to give a facelift to the city. The Union minister answered: the airport emerged in parallel with the Independence. Its original length is 4000 ft and width, 75 ft. Its current length is 6500 ft and width, 100 ft. F-28 aircrafts weighing 75 tons and above can land the airport. It is a global fashion constructing new airports in cities if they come to development. TadaU Airport was built to handle international flights Mandalay.

Mandalay Chanmyathazi Airport was extended to 6500 ft in 1996. Since opening of TadaU Airport in September, 2000, it was suspended. 450 aircrafts are crossing Myanmar’s aviation territory. Of them, 200 have to report to the airport which plays a significant role in global aviation route. Every computer has the distance of the airport. It is planned to swing the airport into action.

It is planned to open civil aviation training school to nurture qualified pilots for local and international airliners and to open flying club for aviation enthusiasts and amateur pilots. The principal and trainers of Defence Services (Air) Aviation Training School are being recruited for opening the civil aviation training school.

After the flying club is opened, it will be packed with training aircrafts, amateur aircrafts and buildings of the club and will become a glory of Mandalay where aviation education is provided. The airport could also be used a reserve airport of TadaU Airport. It is planned to keep the airport as compulsory report point on international aviation route, civil aviation training school and flying club. U Win Myint of Myingyan Constituency asked whether there is a plan to perform maintenance tasks along Ayeyawady River course in Myingyan Township. The Union minister answered: The question is similar one raised by U Win Myint of Pyay Constituency. Hsimikhon is a significant site along the Ayeyawady river course. Flowing south to north, the river changes its course from east to west as it passes over Hsimikhon village. Till now, vessels of Inland Water Transport are loading and unloading in Hsimikhon village. If the question is about the plan to contain the erosion, the answer is no as there is no fund allotted to do so. Though, there is a plan to build a terminal in joint venture with private entrepreneurs regarding the construction industrial zone in Hsimikhon region. While building the terminal, the conservation tasks will be carried out simultaneously.

Bill Committee and two Hluttaw representatives put forward the proposals for amendment to Foreign Currency Bill submitted on 15 February.

Member of Bill Committee U Thein Tun Oo presented proposals for amendments to Paragraph (1), Paragraph (2), Paragraph (3), (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l), Paragraph (4) (e), Paragraph (5) (b, e, f), Paragraph (6), Paragraph (7) (a, b), Paragraph (11), Paragraph (14) (b), Paragraph (15) (c), Paragraph (16) (a, b), Paragraph (17), Paragraph (22), Paragraph (24), Paragraph (27) (b) and Paragraph (28).

U Ko Gyi of Aungmyethazan Constituency proposed amendments to Paragraph (3) (j), Paragraph (5) (b) and Paragraph (14) (b).

Regarding Paragraph (3) (j), Member of Bill Committee U Khin Maung Shein said the amendment of the committee is more appropriate to keep each parts of the bill in harmony. Union Minister for Finance and Revenue U Hla Tun said he had nothing special to discuss in this regard.

U Ko Gyi accepted the amendment of the committee.

Regarding Paragraph (5) (b), Member of Bill Committee U Aung Mya Than said the original text is more condensed and it should be approved as original. The Union Finance and Revenue Minister passed on the clarification.

Regarding Paragraph (14) (b), Member of Bill Committee U Tin Maung Shwe said U Ko Gyi’s amendment is more appropriate and Union Minister U Hla Tun showed his approval.

Dr Sai Kyaw Ohn of Namhkam Constituency proposed amendments of Paragraph (22) and Paragraph (27) (b).

Regarding Paragraph (22), Member of Bill Committee U Aung Mya Than said Dr Sai Kyaw Ohn’s amendment is more appropriate and Union Minister U Hla Tun showed his approval.

Regarding Paragraph (27) (b), Member of Bill Committee U Aung Mya Than said the amendment of the committee is more appropriate and Union Minister U Hla Tun said he agreed the amendment of the committee.

In seeking approval for all amended sections and subsections at one stroke, these were approved unanimously.

At Invitation of Chairman of National People’s Congress of China, the Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker and representatives visits China from 22 to 26 February. On the visit, measures will be taken for fostering China- Myanmar friendship tie, cooperation and friendship and cooperation between the Pyithu Hluttaw and Chinese National People’s Congress.

Today’s session concluded at 1.25 pm and the date for eight day session will be announced later.