The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw continued for the 16th day session at Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Hall of the Hluttaw Building, here, at 10 am today, attended by Speaker of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw U Khin Aung Myint, Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw Thura U Shwe Mann and 561 Pyidaungsu Hluttaw representatives. The session put one message on record and discussed one bill.
In the putting the message on record, the Speaker of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw read the message on reshuffle of ministers at Mandalay Region Government sent by the President, and the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw put the reassignments of U Phone Zaw Han as Minister for Finance and Revenue and U Aung Maung as Minister for Development Affairs at Mandalay Region Government on record.
With regard to National Planning Bill for 2012-2013 fiscal year, the Speaker of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw made clarification, saying that the Union Minister for National Planning and Economic Development, on behalf of the Union government, submitted the 2011-2012 FY National Planning Bill and the 2012-2013 FY National Planning Bill to the Hluttaw on the first day third regular session of the first Pyidaungsu Hluttaw held on 31 January 2012. A total of 75 Hluttaw representatives discussed the plans in principle from the sixth day session on 7-2-2012 to the 10th day session on 13-2-2012. In this regard, nine Hluttaw representatives held discussions on the 2011-2012 FY National Planning Bill and another 66 representatives, the 2012-2013 FY National Planning Bill.
The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Joint Bill Committee submitted the reports that the 2011-2012 FY National Planning Bill should be put on record and the 2012-2013 FY National Planning Bill should be undertaken in line with rules and regulations.
According to the submissions of some Hluttaw representatives that the National Planning Bills submitted by the Union government to the Hluttaw should be amended as a law, the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw coordinated with the Union Government. So, the improved 2011-2012 FY National Planning Bill was submitted to the Hluttaw. Thus, the Hluttaw decided to put the bill on record at the 13th day session of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw on 22 February 2012 in line with the remarks of the Joint Bill Committee.
As the 2012-2013 FY National Planning Bill has been improved systematically, the bill will be submitted to the Hluttaw. The copies of amended bills have been distributed to Hluttaw representatives. In this regard, the bill was amended in form, but its presentations were similar to the previous bill. In amending the bill, the Chapter (III) Policy, Vision and Tasks of the previous bill were placed in Appendix (i); the formal Appendix (i) Stateowned sector Investment Plans went to Appendix (ii); formal Appendix (ii) Sectors of Production, Service and Vision to Appendix (iii).
There is no any change in subject in the bill in discussing the principle and basic factors of the 2012-2013 FY National Planning Bill. Thus, the discussions of 66 Hluttaw representatives from 7 to 13 February will not be cancelled and it is still into existence.
On 23-2-2012, as the list was taken for those wishing to discuss matters related to 2012-2013 National Planning Bill and to submit proposals of amendment, a total of 28 Hluttaw representatives nominated themselves. The submissions of 15 representatives of 28 will be allowed to continuous discussions at the Hluttaw in principle and basic factor as their discussions have no amendment.
Those Hluttaw representatives are U Pauk Thang Htai of Chin State Constituency No. 3, Daw Mi Myint Than of Ye Constituency, U Steven Thabeik of Chin State Constituency No. 4, U Tin Maung Win of Mingaladon Constituency, U Aung Thein Lin of South Okkalapa Constituency, Dr Banya Aung Moe of Mon State Constituency, Dr Nay Lin of Seikkan Constituency, U Khin Maung Latt of Rakhine State Constituency No. 9, Dr Mya Oo of Bago Region Constituency No. 9, U Sai Thant Zin of Shan State Constituency No. 4, U Kyaw Ni Naing of Laukkai Constituency, U Win Oo of Yebyu Constituency, U Kyi Tha of Gwa Constituency, U Aye Mauk of Mahlaing Constituency and U Khet Htein Nan of Kachin State Constituency.
Although the remaining representatives have submitted proposals of amendment to the Hluttaw, it is necessary to amend the proposals of some representatives. They are U Paw Hlyan Lwin of Chin State Constituency No. 9, U Thein Yi of Htantabin Constituency, U Tha Win of Yankin Constituency, U Min Swe of DaikU Constituency, U Soe Than of Twantay Constituency, U Win Myint of Pyay Constituency, U Maung Toe of Minhla Constituency, Dr Aye Maung of Rakhine State Constituency No. 1, U Win Than of Thabaung Constituency, U Myo Myint of Mandalay Region Constituency No. 6, U Aye Mauk of Mahlaing Constituency, U Myo Swe of Tanai Constituency, Daw Su Su Hlaing of Dagon Myothit (South) Constituency and U Kyaw Naing Htay of Indaw Constituency.
In submitting the proposals of amendment for the bill, it is necessary to exactly present the matters to allow reduction of project-wise implementation, to suspend the projects and to terminate the projects. The amount of money for the projects in the bill is not needed to be presented, and per cent of the work or titles of individual works (for example-to suspend, terminate and reduce 50 per cent of Shwelaung Dam Project among new projects of the Irrigation Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation included on page number 100 of the Plan for State-owned Investment of the Appendixii) with signatures. The proposals of amendment must completely be presented with reasons and subjects included in the parts of the bill (bill, appendix).
The representatives’ proposals to be amended among 14 representatives must be re-written in line with the rules and regulations. The representatives wishing to submit proposals of amendment and those wishing to submit more proposals including previous submissions of the representatives are to submit their proposals to the Director of the Hluttaw Office, not later than evening of 29 February (Wednesday).
At a time when the Hluttaw representatives have discussed the principles and basic factors of the bill, the President or the person assigned by the President, on behalf of the Union government, may make clarification. After that, the discussions of the principles and basic factors of the bill will come to an end. Thus, he said that he would like to inform the Hluttaw that process of tasks will be undertaken for submission and discussion of proposals of amendment, clarification of the Union level body member, seeking decisions of the Hluttaw and approvals in line with the prescribed procedures.
With regard to the 2012-2013 fiscal year, Union Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Tin Naing Thein submitted the 2012-2013 fiscal year National Planning Bill and the 2012-2013 FY National Planning Bill, which are first and second years of the fifth five-year short term national plan of the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw on 31 January. Pyidaungsu Hluttaw representatives suggested that the bill should be in line with the form of law. In accord with their suggestions, the bill was rewritten.
U Khin Maung Latt of Rakhine State Constituency No. 6 said that there are many differences among the regions of Myanmar in geographical conditions such as hilly regions, plateaus, plains, inland regions, coastal regions and border areas. Moreover, these regions have differences in natural resources and human resources. As a result, drawing the plan must be depended on the actual conditions of the regions. In the matter of roads construction projects covering in basic infrastructures which are crucial for nation building endeavors, Yathedaung and Myebon Townships in Rakhine State are located in plain region. But, it has yet to connect Sittway-An Union Road. Discussions on road networks are going on at Hluttaws. The connection of only one road in Rakhine State has not yet finished till now. Road transportation of Yathedaung and its environs do not include in 2012-2013 National Planning.
The National Planning is made up of projects in Regions and States. Like the developed countries, national development is to be implemented only after GDP and GNP of each region have been calculated systematically. Priority is to be given to the underdeveloped regions after considering advantages and disadvantages of the regions. Only then the country sees harmonious development.
U Tin Maung Win of Mingaladon Constituency said: A total of K 111.548 million is proposed under the heading of border regions new roads development of National Planning Bill. The maintenance of new roads should not be. So, that proposed project should be cancelled. A total of K 2.5 million is put under the heading of “Greening” of “Others” heading of National Planning. Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry is undertaking the greening tasks and so do local authorities. So, Ministry of Border Affairs should use it under such exact headings as Minister’s Office greening and training school greening. Otherwise, it should be used in other productive development tasks.
U Sai Thant Zin of Shan State Constituency No.4 discussed: An analysis of Myingyan (Nabuaing) Industrial Zone Project and which is one of the ongoing project of Directorate Industrial Planning Department under the Ministry of Myanma Industrial Development should be carried out. Reviews on test running of Paper and Pulp Mill (Thabaung) of Myanma Paper and Chemical Industries, huge investment and difficulties of projects and ongoing projects, works and supplementary works of No.1 Heavy Industries, and expenditures and heavy costs of industries and supplementary works of No.2 Heavy Industries under the Ministry of Industry, are to be carried out.
Hluttaw representatives have no enough time to scrutinize these projects. It would be most appropriate if all projects which will take too much time for scrutiny are not put in this year National Planning. So, based on the facts that projects do not benefit people, the projects are not yet as much important as staff’s day-to-day living status and there needs to have budget analysis, which is a first step towards a democratic country, Ministry of Myanma Industrial Development and Ministry of Industry should not put unproductive projects in the National Planning, with the aims of emergence of national planning and budgets in line with the monetary policies and fiscal policies.
U Kyi Tha of Gwa Constituency said: Ministry of Industry has proposed to make state-own investments of K 169901.036 million in 2012-2013 facial year. Running of Myanma Pharmaceutical and Foodstuff Industries, cement factories, glass factories projects, and paper mills and pulp mills under the Myanma Paper and Chemical Industries should be carried out, based on investments, actual productions and profits and losses.
Dr Banya Aung Moe of Mon State Constituency No.7 discussed that he would like to advice to stop some unproductive projects being undertaken by Ministry of Myanma Industrial Development and Ministry of Agricultural and Irrigation and projects and works which cause a loss to the country’s finance, and cut some expenditures on these projects. The reason why he gave advice for cutting budget expenditures was to raise staff’s salary, to calculate and review it after taking times for avoiding losses and develop the country’s economy.
Sale of state-own workshops and factories to private entrepreneurs and running of joint-venture business between private sector and the government should be carried out. The government-owned factories and workshops should run for profits.
Public companies and companies will emerge after opening stock share markets and sell shares to public and companies. Dr Mya Oo of Bago Region Constituency (9) said: Only when education and health sectors are merged into poverty alleviation tasks, will the goals of poverty alleviation be achieved. In education sector, poverty alleviation should be prioritized, fund for rural healthcare should be established and drawing on the fund should be avoided. Initial healthcare should be provided to townships, sub-townships and rural areas effectively for ensuring public health. Fitness of youths including students should be extensively monitored. In objectives prescribed in the law of the Ministry of Health, figures of Millennium Development Goals and figures related to maternity, infant, child, malaria, TB and HIV should be mentioned exactly. National Plan for 2012-2013 fiscal year is seconded.
U Steven Thabeik of Chin State Constituency (4) said: the accuracy of figures is important in calculating GDP of the whole nation. If the figures are far from approximation, the investment ratio and planning will not be accurate. Myanmar’s investment is lower than that of neighbours on average between 2005-2006 fiscal year and 2010-2011 fiscal year. In this period of modest investment, some ministries squandered millions from the fund of the country in implementing projects which were failures.
Though projects drafted by respective ministries for 2012-2013 fiscal year with huge fund estimated are submitted for good purposes, the projects, which could not give immediate profit to the country, should be delayed as the country is still undeveloped and cannot make huge investment now. Investment, taxation, budget of Chin State and other regions and states and drafting of anti-corruption law should be considered in fundamental principles of National Planning Bill for 2012-2013 fiscal year submitted by the Ministry of Finance and Revenue.
Daw Mi Myint Than of Ye Constituency said: Transportation sector should be extended by drafting National Transportation Policy in accord with need of the people, economic profitability and other requirements. The rail transportation should set sight on running electric train. For all-round transportation in transportation, container transportation should be established. Staff should be employed for each department and trained to improve their capacity. The emergence of modern railroads should be implementing by replacing wooden sleepers with concrete ones. A system investigating passenger coaches and cargos should be adopted and enforced for foolproof inspection. If there is insufficient workforce, new staff should be recruited under directives. Running hours of the train should be reduced.
As the salary of the government personnel could be decreased if the unprofitable projects are suspended and irrelevant expenses are reduced in 2012- 2013 fiscal year, Budget for 2012-2013 should be redrawn.
U Paul Htan Htai of Chin State Constituency (3) said: The Section (363) of the Constitution clearly states, “The Union may assist and protect the religions it recognizes to its utmost.” The constitution should transparently portray the fact. Without adding any fund to the Ministry of Religious Affairs in 2012-2013 budget, changes should be made in the current budget of the ministry and expenditures for Christian, Islam, Hindu and other religions should be included.
Today’s session concluded at 1.25 pm and the 17th day session will be held at 10 am on 1 March 2012.—