The 2nd Amyotha Hluttaw met for the 7th day meeting of 13th regular session yesterday, with answers to five queries and a bill discussed.
Transparency of financial statistics
U Soe Thein, MP of Kayah State constituency 9, asked for issuing a quarterly report on foreign exchange reserve, gold reserve and inflation index for better transparency of the country’s financial statistics.
U Soe Thein, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar, explained that the foreign exchange reserves have two portions; the first one includes foreign currencies at the Central Bank of Myanmar and other state-owned banks, as well as in the related banks abroad, while the second part is the monetary gold holding of the Central Bank of Myanmar that is also recognized as foreign currency.
The Deputy Governor also said that the update of foreign currency statistics are presented in the Quarterly Financial Statistics Bulletin of the Central Bank of Myanmar, which is published on paper and its website.
He also said the Central Statistical Organization of Ministry of Planning and Finance is also releasing information about the Consumer Price Index and the Rate of Inflation. These topics can be viewed on www.mmsis.gov.mm. The figures of inflation is also expressed through consumer index in the quarterly bulletin.
Questions to Home Affairs Ministry
U Kyaw Than, MP of Kayah State constituency 8, asked about the construction of a new building at Bawlakhe Township’s police station; U Sai San Aung, MP of Shan State constituency 12 asked about renovation of office and staff quarters at Hopan Township in Wa Self-Administered Division of Shan State; Daw Ei Ei Pyone, MP of Ayeyawady Region constituency 8 asked about crime news volunteer groups regarding its objectives, procedures and responsible department; U Ko Ko Naing, MP of Sagaing Region Constituency 8 asked about constructions of local fire auxiliary stations at the villages in strategically locations, but far from the towns.
Major General Aung Thu, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, explained that the ministry has proposed a budget to the Ministry of Planning and Finance on 28 March 2019 for construction of a two-storey building at the Bawlakhe police station (attached with a jail), and that more budget would be submitted for next fiscal year for an additional building.
The deputy minister also pledged to request a budget for construction of an office for township police officer in 2020-2021 fiscal year.
He also said that any legal aid group for crime cases has not been registered, but it was found that the Myanmar Crime Reporters’ Association has been officially registered for the period from 25 January 2017 to 31 December 2021. The name of association was applied to rename as Truth Lovers’ Association (Truth Aid Group) at the Union Registration Board. He also suggested that the General Administration Department under the Ministry of Union Government Office should legally handle the registration of the so-called ‘Anti-crime Aid and Volunteer Group’.
The deputy minister that for construction of sub-stations in the villages, the Myanmar Fire Services Department has taken priority based on the facts of local population, nearness of factories and markets, the possible auxiliary forces, the frequency of fire cases over 10 years, the amount of loss and the roads for fire engines. He also confirmed that the department will construct the remaining 301 sub-stations out of the 703 local stations after it received the required land, fire engines and equipment from the respective state and regional governments.
The Rural Development Bill was discussed by Dr Tin Tin Win, MP of Bago Regional constituency 5, U Soe Win, MP of Rakine State constituency 12, U Khin Myo Win, MP of Thaninthayi Region constituency 12, Daw Shwe Shwe Sein Latt, MP of Bago Region constituency 3, and Daw Ei Ei Pyone, MP of Ayeyawady Region constituency 8.
They discussed the amendments of some provisions in the bill, regarding infrastructural development, the technology and financial supports for manageable business, employment opportunities for rural people, actions against illegal pubs and gambling, the rights for rural people, and misuse of funds and property for rural development programmes. In conclusion, Speaker of Amyotha Hluttaw Mahn Win Khaing Than announced to convene the next meeting on 6 August 2019.—MNA
(Translated by Aung Khin)
