A 15th-day meeting of Second Amyotha Hluttaw’s 13th regular session was held at the Amyotha Hluttaw meeting hall in Nay Pyi Taw. At the meeting questions raised were answered, a bill approved and a motion discussed and approved.
Question and answer session
In the question and answer session Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye first responded to a question raised by Daw Nan Moe Moe Htwe of Kayin State constituency 4 on arrangements made for people for Kayin State Hlaingbwe Township who were in a camp after displaced by conflicts in Myaing Gyi Ngu. The Union Minister said provision of food and relief goods, health care and health education, security and rule of law and providing education were conducted in cooperation between relevant Union ministerial departments and the State Government. Once the National Strategy for the Closure of IDP Camps in Myanmar was approved, works will be conducted according to this strategy said the Union Minister.
U Soe Thein of Kayah State constituency 9 next raised a question on arrangements made by the Union for food, water and energy security. Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Hla Kyaw answered that cooperation with farmers were made toward using high yield and quality crops that are marketable to increase food security. Development in agriculture and production technology, crop protection, soil maintenance, work process to reduce waste and post-harvest technology were conducted. Good and pure seeds were distributed sufficiently while quality seed production and good agriculture practices were extended. Transition process from manual traditional farming to mechanized farming was being implemented.
To overcome possible water scarcity in future, plans were drawn up to develop and use water resources depending on the requirement of the region. Priority was given toward maintaining of existing reservoir and ponds, construction of new reservoirs and ponds, river water pumping programs, digging of tube wells and harnessing ground waters will be implemented. Investment processes were drawn up according to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 of ensuring access to water and sanitation for all and rural water acquisition strategy.
As known by all the Union was drawing up Myanmar National Electrification Program in cooperation with World Bank to achieve 100 per cent electrification by 2030. Off-grid and on-grid systems to the National Grid were being implemented. In the oil and gas sector Ministry of Electricity and Energy in cooperation with Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia was drawing up and implementing a Natural Gas Master Plan. Furthermore oil and gas pipeline network projects and long term projects like oil refinery projects were being set up in stages with regional and neighboring countries said the Deputy Minister.
Similarly questions raised by U Kyaw Kyaw Win of Rakhine State constituency 8 on financial assistant to expecting mothers and under two years old children and U Whey Tin of Chin State constituency 11 on assistant to conflict displaced person in Chin State Paletwa Township were also answered by Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye while questions by U Okka Min of Taninthayi Region constituency 8 on status of preparing bill to amend Myanmar Marine Fisheries Law and when it will be submitted to the Hluttaw and Dr Zaw Lin Htut of Mon State constituency 9 on plan to construct new buildings in State Agricultural Institution, Thaton, Mon State were answered by Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Hla Kyaw.
Hluttaw approves Rural Development Bill
Following the question and answer session Rural Development Bill was approved by the Hluttaw after Amyotha Hluttaw Bill Committee member U Sai Tun Aung reread and explained the committee report on the bill. The bill was approved and sent with amendments by Pyithu Hluttaw.
Motion and ponds and reservoirs discussed and approved
As a final agenda of the day, a motion urging the Union Government to restore and maintain ponds and reservoirs and construct new ponds and reservoirs for rural populace tabled by U Khin Win of Magway Region constituency 2 was discussed by U Hla San of Magway Region constituency 1, U Mya Min Swe of Magway Region constituency 9 and Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Hla Kyaw.
In his discussion in support of the motion Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Hla Kyaw explained about works conducted by the ministry toward the matters urged by the motion and recommended the motion to be approved as it was supporting the works conducted by the ministry.
Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker then obtained the decision of the Hluttaw and announced the motion approved.
The 16th-day meeting of the 13th regular session of Second Amyotha Hluttaw is scheduled to convene on 3 September.
Aung Ye Thwin
(Translated by Zaw Min)
