HLUTTAW SESSIONS:- PYIDAUNGSU HLUTTAW: Appointment of permanent secretaries is lawful: Pyidaungsu Hluttaw: "Nay Pyi Taw, 9 April— Dr Myat Nyana Soe of the Yangon Region constituency No 4 abled a motion at the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw on Thursday, suggesting a cancellation of the appointment of permanent secretaries and their salaries if the appointment is contrary to the existing laws and describing the position as ?invented?. Dr Kan Zaw, Union Minister for National Planning and Economic Development, responded that the new rank will steer the government into a good, clean, transparent and accountable body in terms of public management. He added the appointment of permanent secretaries is an early preparation to ensure a smooth transition between the coming elections and the post-election period..."...PYITHU HLUTTAW: Ministry says Indaw gem mine operation lawful: "Nay Pyi Taw, 9 April— The government confirmed the legality of a gem mining operation in Sagaing Region on Thursday in response to a question from a member of the Pyithu Hluttaw. U Kyaw Naing Htay of the Indaw constituency asked whether the mine in a reserved forest near a village in his township of Sagaing Region is legally permitted, saying the company ignores letters of protest calling for the mine?s closure. U Than Tun Aung, Deputy Minister for Mines, answered that his ministry issued a gem company with a licence for jade mining in February 2010, adding that it had not been informed of the letter of notice dated 4 February, 2015, sent by the Ministry of Forestry. The deputy minister pledged his ministry?s coordination with the Ministry of Forestry. U Pike Lin of the Paletwa constituency raised a query concerning the prospect of a national power grid linking Paletwa in Chin State and Kyauktaw in Rakhine State. Deputy Minister for Electric Power U Aung Than Oo rejected the proposal, saying the installation of power lines between the two townships depends on the budget. The funds for the project are not included in the 2015-2016 fiscal year, he said."...AMYOTHA HLUTTAW: Rural development tasks being carried out according to priorities; Deputy Minister: "Nay Pyi Taw, 9 April _ Representatives at Amyotha Hluttaw on Thursday raised questions on regional development tasks including upgrading an eight-mile road section in Meiktila, water supply and installation of solar lights and construction of a 70-foot long bridge in Meikwa Village in Paletwa Township and construction of a river crossing bridge in Khonsint Village Tract in Moemauk Township. However, Deputy Minister for Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development Dr Aung Myat Oo said that the ministry is unable to carry out the projects at the moment as rural development tasks are being implemented according to their priorities. Afterwards, the representatives discussed the reports on finding of teams on field trip of the Amyotha Hluttaw government?s Guar-antees, Pledges and Undertakings Vetting Committee. Representative U Hlaing Oo of Ayeyawady Region Constituency (12) pointed out that three pledges were cancelled under Letter No. 7/445, but Labutta Township is the largest rain paddy growing area and the pledges should be fulfilled after making field trips to study the difficulty of farmers. Then, a member of the vetting committee sought the approval for the report and the session approved it. The Amyotha Hluttaw session also approved the report of the Public Complaints Committee submitted by Representative Dr Khin Shwe of Yangon Region Constituency (9)."..... OTHER DOMESTIC NEWS: Cancellation of holding joint portfolio...Appointment of Mon State Transport Minister...Vice President U Nyan Tun outlines land resources management reform...57 apply for Yangon Stock Exchange service provider licenses...KOICA donates laboratory equipment, research assistance...Thandwe Township receives RC bridge in rural area...Tatmadaw conquers strategic hill of Kokang insurgents...Information-sharing programme aims to improve haemophilia treatment...A map shows chashes between government troops and Kokang insurgents in Laukkai region...Authorities to clamp down on noisy vehicles during Maha Thingyan festival...Villages enjoy illumination with solar panels...Yangon Zoo welcomes new animals...Interview for candidates of scholarship continues...Electoral officials compile voter lists ahead of poll...Natogyi Township plans to dredge 55 more lakes next FY...Loans contribute to extension of livestock breeding...Myanmar shooters to take part in ISSF Rifle and Pistol World Cup in ROK..... EXTERNAL RELATIONS: Canadian Foresight Group, partners to explore large gas field offshore Myanmar...Japanese flower art staged to enthusiasts...Monastery receives replica of Japan?s Maha Kamakura Buddha..... "PERSPECTIVES": "Don?t let poverty drive children out of school" by Kyaw Thura..... ARTICLE: "Let us pay deep homage to the Sacred Uppatasanti (Protection against Calamity) pagoda (Cetiya) of 325 feet in height, the Replica of the most famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Nay Pyi Taw, the capital of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar" by Ba Sein (Religious Affairs)