Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Burmese Parliament discusses public health care, social organizations

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Wednesday, 09 March 2011 20:23 Myo Thant

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Lower House speaker Thura Shwe Mahn on Wednesday approved four motions for discussion in the Burmese Parliament, including the right to health care for low income people and the right to establish social organisations.

The new Burmese Parliament building in Naypyidaw,
where both houses are starting question and answer
sessions, and beginning the process of introducing
bills to be considered. (Photo: Mizzima)
The Lower House discussed establishing a state medical care system which would guarantee the right to medical care for low income people, discusssed a system for creating social and economic organisations and the direct state intervention by the government in cases of natural disasters.

The Upper House discussions centered on the areas of  health and education.

In Wednesday’s session, respective ministers answered questions raised by MPs.

In the Upper House, Mrauk Oo constituency MP Aung Tun Tha asked if the government had any plans to apply to the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organisation to seek recognition of historical and archeology sites in Mrauk Oo in  Rakhine State.

The current cultural minister Khin Aung Myint, who is also speaker in the Upper House, answered that the matters would be looked into and considered.

In the Lower House, Agriculture Minister Htay Oo, responding to a question, said that local governments in states and regions can settle matters of ownership of farm land and reclamation of fallow land since these issues are designated under their local authority.

In Thursday’s session, Upper House Rakhine and Kachin MPs are expected to raise questions about the right to private ownership of farm land, an issue raised by the National Democratic Front (NDF) and others.

The Lower House is expected to raise the issues of TV programmes offering sign language for people with learning disabilities, plans to increase the pension pay scale and corruption and bribery issues.

Both houses met for about two hours. MPs said that the current Parliament session will probably be completed by the end of the month.

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