Convened on Nov. 16, the third regular session of Parliament ended on Dec. 21.
Monday (Dec. 19)
In the Lower House, lawmakers raised questions about the regional power supply and roads in their respective constituencies.
Daw Yin Min Hlaing of Gangaw Township urged the Union government to develop the Pontaung-Ponnya mountain range as an ecotourism destination. The mountains run north-south along the border of Sagaing and Magwe divisions. Parliament approved debate of her proposal.
In the Upper House, lawmakers raised questions about regional transportation, healthcare, agriculture and irrigation in their constituencies.
Dr. Kyaw Than Tun of Mandalay Division (3) asked if the government had a plan to use traditional medicine in place of methadone in drug rehabilitation. Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr. Myint Htwe replied that his ministry had a plan and would conduct relevant research soon but that it would take at least two years.
Tuesday (Dec. 20)
In the Lower House, lawmakers asked questions about government plans for improving roads in their respective constituencies.
There was no Upper House session on Tuesday.
In Union Parliament, seven lawmakers debated in favor of the president’s proposal to sign the Agreement on the Establishment of a Tourism Industry Coordination Office among members of the Greater Mekong Sub-region. Parliament approved signing the agreement.
The Union Parliament also approved the president’s proposal to obtain a loan of €50 million from Poland for the Fire Services Department under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
It also approved the president’s proposal to obtain a loan of US$56.8 million from the International Fund for Agricultural Development to be used by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation to implement agricultural development projects in eastern states.
Wednesday (Dec. 21)
In the Lower House, lawmakers raised questions about government plans to improve educational and healthcare facilities in their respective constituencies.
A total of 271 questions were asked in the Lower House during its third regular session, a total of 10 proposals including an urgent proposal were submitted, six were debated and recorded, and four others have yet to be discussed. A total of 17 bills were put forward, seven were approved and 10 have yet to be debated.
In the Upper House, U Ye Htut of Sagaing Division (5) asked if the Union government had a plan to reorganize the committee to implement the recommendations of the report of the Letpadaung Copper Mines Investigation Commission. Union Minister for Environmental Conservation and Resources U Ohn Win said the investigation commission released the report in March 2013 and the committee had carried out 37 of 42 recommendations from the report. The ministry had no plan to reform the committee.
Lower House Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than warned two lawmakers regarding their proposals and comments on peace talks.
A total of 166 questions were asked in the Upper House during its third regular session.
