HLUTTAW SESSIONS:- PYIDAUNGSU HLUTTAW: "National planning bill comes under discussion at Pyidaungsu Hluttaw: "Nay Pyi Taw, 5 March — The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw on Thursday discussed the national planning bill of 2015-2016 fiscal year, with MPs at union level clarified the principle and projects covered in the bill. Dr Kan Zaw, Union Minister for National Planning and Economic Development, suggested an appointment of a permanent official who can represent and take charge of the whole functions of the ministry as part of bridging the information gap between incoming and outgoing union ministers and deputy ministers, who are to serve a five-year tenure of office. Union Minister for Information U Ye Htut said his ministry saw a net profit of over K6 billion in 2011- 2012 FY, over K3 billion in 2013-14 FY, and over K6 billion in 2014-2015 FY, expecting a net revenue of over K4 billion this fiscal year. He went on to say that there is no loss from the state budgets in transforming the dailies to public-oriented ones. Union Minister for Health Dr Than Aung pledged a 90% budget spending on public health care and remaining 10% on developing human resources and research projects. Union Minister for Finance U Win Shein recommended that education budgets should cover other ministries that have universities, colleges and high schools instead of the Ministry of Education alone. He described financial issues as so sensitive that tight control is essential for avoidance of unwanted consequences. Other ministries and union-level offices explained their respective operations to the parliament."...PYITHU HLUTTAW: Pyithu Hluttaw discusses inflation: "Members of the Pyithu Hluttaw questioned the government in Thursday?s lower house session about how it plans to control inflation if a proposed pay rise for civil servants is instituted. Central Bank of Myanmar Deputy Governor Daw Khin Saw Oo told the session inflation will increase when salaries of government employees are raised to a decent level, with the central bank issuing more money to fulfill the increased government budget. Higher incomes will also drive inflation by increasing consumption, with prices rising where demand exceeds supply, according to the vice governor. Private sector pay rises will inevitably follow they government salary hike, with the resulting increase in production costs also driving up prices, she added. Increased consumption of imports will also raise the budget deficit and depreciate the value of Myanmar?s currency, further driving inflation. However, she said the government is seeking to adjust the deficit under 5 percent of GDP for sustainable development..."...AMYOTHA HLUTTAW: Amyotha Hluttaw bill committee meets students from ACDEM: "Nay Pyi Taw, 5 March — Hearing for amendment bill of the national education law started at the Amyotha Hluttaw building on Thursday. Present were Chairman of Amyotha Hluttaw Bill Committee U Khin Maung Yi and members, Amyotha Hluttaw Political, Economic and Legal Affairs Commission Chairman U Myint Thein and members, students from the Action Committee for Democracy Education Movement including Maung Chit Win Maung, fourth year (Civil) Magway Technological Univeristy, Maung Pyae Phyo Kyaw, third year (Chemistry) Pakokku University, Maung Thant Sin Tun, fourth year (Civil), Pyay Technological University, Maung Zeyar Lwin, third year, Yangon University of Economics, Maung Ye Zarni Tun, second year, Hmawby University of Computer Studies, Maung Nan Lin, second year (Physics) Dagon University, Maung Paing Ye Thu, third year (Maths) Dagon University, Maung Wai Moe Naing, fourth year (English), Monywa University, Maung Min Lwin Oo, B.E (Mechanical) and Maung Thein Htein, incharge of documents for the ACDEM. At the meeting, the bill committee chairman explained that submitted bills have to be adopted in accordance with Hluttaw rules and regulations and students, political parties and civil society organizations can participate in the discussions which take place from 5 to 15 March. The political, economic and legal affairs commission chairman said that his commission is contributing to the political, economic and legal affairs of the Hluttaw. Maung Zeyar Lwin of the ACDEM said that they came to the Hluttaw to inform that they could not attend the hearing due to current situation in Letpatan but he said that they would closely watch the hearing and were willing to attend the hearing at an opportune time. Before the hearing, the chairmen of the committee and commission responded to questions raised by journalists."..... OTHER DOMESTIC NEWS: 14 striking workers face riot charges following arrest...Pa-O National Day marked in Taunggyi...Some student protestors taken back home by parents...Monitoring devices will provide clearer picture of Yangon air quality...Prominent Sayadaws urge monks not to join student march on Yangon...Mandalay?s religious monuments draw big crowds on Fullmoon Day...Shwesayan Pagoda festival brings Shan pilgrims to Patheingyi Township...Rising tomato prices attract new growers...Senior monks consecrate Atula Munissara Pagoda in Myanaung...Vacant lots become vegetable patches under police programme...More than 90,000 students to sit matriculation exam in Mandalay Region...Ancient architectural works of Bagaya monastery attract local and foreign visitors...Hotel project in Kawthoung District aims to boost tourist arrivals...Malaysia continues free surgical treatments for needy patients...Military columns seize arms and ammunitions from Kokang insurgents in clashes...IDPs, departmental personnel arrive back home in Laukkai region..... EXTERNAL RELATIONS: President U Thein Sein sends message of felicitations to Ghana...Pyithu Hluttaw speaker meets former British Prime Minister...The Global New Light of Myanmar ? Jason Pomeroy Interview...Deputy Foreign Minister attends high level segments of UN human rights council session, disarmament conference...Union ministers, foreign experts exchange views on peace process, economic development...Union FM sends message of felicitations to Ghana...Myanmar falls to Vietnam at youth tourney in China...Thai naval vessel arrives at Thilawa, Yangon...Myanmar women ready to face challenges in Olympic qualifiers..... "PERSPECTIVES": "Are we moving forward, standing still or going backward?" by Kyaw Thura