The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw continued its 10th-day meeting at its building in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning, with Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker U Aung Lin Dwe, Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U Khin Yi, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Deputy Speaker Jeng Phang Naw Taung and Pyithu Hluttaw Deputy Speaker U Maung Maung Ohn in attendance, along with Union Minister Dr Kan Zaw, deputy ministers and Pyidaungsu Hluttaw representatives.
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Deputy Speaker Jeng Phang Naw Taung explained the formation of a Joint Committee for Assessment and Legislative Drafting on the 43 Provisions of the 2008 Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Proposed for Amendment and Supplementation, and the Provisions Contained in Parts (1), (2) and (3) of the Union Accord.
He explained that the Joint Committee will be formed with 38 each representatives of Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw along with 14 Defence Services Personnel Hluttaw Representatives, totalling 90. The committee will be chaired by MP U Hla Thein from Bago Region Constituency 10 together with Vice-Chair MP Daw Nwe Nwe Oo from Ayeyawady Region Constituency 2, Secretary MP U Zin Min Htet from Bago Region Constituency 7 and Joint-Secretary MP U Thein Tun Oo from Amarapura Constituency.
The Deputy Speaker revealed that the committee aims to ensure that the Constitution is further developed in line with the changing times and systems, thereby strengthening the sustainability, stability, peace and development of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; to achieve everlasting peace by building strong national unity based on mutual trust among the various ethnic nationalities; and to ensure the continued and uninterrupted implementation of the process of democratic reform for the State and its citizens, and to serve 11 responsibilities.
After seeking the Hluttaw’s views on the formation and assignment of duties to the Joint Committee for Assessment and Legislative Drafting, as explained by the Deputy Speaker, the Hluttaw announced that the proposal had been approved, as no objections were raised.
Moreover, lawmakers discussed the revenue and expenditure estimates, legal matters and other related issues, including the principles and fundamental concepts of the Union Supplementary Appropriation Bill for the 2026-2027 financial year.
In response to the discussions, Union Minister for Finance and Revenue Dr Kan Zaw stated that according to the revised estimates for State-owned Economic Enterprises for the FY 2026-2027, the total cash deficit amounted to K213 billion. The total expenditure also includes commercial tax, special goods tax, income tax and contributions paid by State-owned Economic Enterprises to the State.
He added that although Myanma Railways, Inland Water Transport and Myanmar National Airlines, which operate under the Ministry of Transport, are incurring financial losses, they serve as essential public service providers by ensuring transport connectivity for the people and the smooth flow of essential goods. Therefore, the relevant ministries are focusing on reducing their losses and improving operational efficiency.
Similarly, the Union minister noted that efforts are being made to broaden the tax base, levy taxes on basic commodities and ensure the standardization of tax rates, in accordance with the discussions and guidance of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw.
He underlined that not every ministry is an income-generating agency, and ministries are allowed to make budget allocations only for projects included in their respective plans. In reviewing financial operations, a Medium-Term Fiscal Framework, which takes into account the preceding three years and the coming three years, has also been issued, and ministries are required to operate within the limits set by this framework.
Regarding the recommendation in the report, Deputy Minister for National Planning, Investment and Foreign Economic Relations U Han Win Aung explained that efforts should be made to achieve the specified targets by the end of the financial year; coordination and cooperation will be undertaken with the relevant ministries and Region and State Governments to ensure that the estimated amounts are achieved by the end of the financial year.
The Union minister submitted the proposal to the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw for approving the whole Union Supplementary Appropriation Bill for the FY 2026-2027. After conducting the voting process, the Hluttaw approved the bill.
The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw will continue its 11th-day meeting on 18 November. — News Team/TTA
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