HLUTTAW SESSIONS:- PYITHU HLUTTAW: Coal fired power plant projects to go ahead: "Nay Pyi Taw, 20 May — Coal fired power plant projects will not be cancelled as electricity consumption in Myanmar is increasing by13 to 15 percent annually, said Deputy Minister for Electric Power U Aung Than Oo to Pyithu Hluttaw session on Wednesday. MP Daw Tin Tin Yi from Kyunsu constituency asked the government?s plan whether the coal fired projects would be cancelled amidst the protest of local people. Myanmar has 43 power stations with installation capacity of 4,987 MW generated 69 percent from hydropower, 29 percent from natural gas and 2 percent from coal, while only 30 percent of households across the country get electricity. The deputy minister said Myanmar needs to construct more power plants to be able to generate 23,594 MW in 2030- 2031 to distribute electricity the whole country. Regarding query of Myanaung constituency?s Pyithu Hluttaw MP U Aung Sein about electricity distribution to Myanaung township from national grid, U Aung Than Oo said preliminary surveys are being carried out to construct a 33-KV power station by using bio-fuel and wind powers alternatively. He added that the project will be implemented depending on budget allocation and low-interest from local or foreign loans. Myanaung township is about five nautical miles from nearest Yanbye Township. Deputy Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security U Htin Aung replied to the query of Kanpetlet constituency MP Thura U Aung Ko whether Myanmar seafarers could join shipping companies in Taipei (China). U Htin Aung said Myanmar sailor associations can also practice similar trend like the Myanmar Seafarers Federation."..... NOTIFICATIONS: Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Union Election Commission, Nay Pyi Taw:- Notification No.12/2015, 3rd Waxing Day of Nayon, 1377 ME (20 May, 2015): Guiding Star Party allowed to register as political party...Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Union Election Commission, Nay Pyi Taw: Notification No.13/2015, 3rd Waxing Day of Nayon, 1377 ME (20 May, 2015): Red Shan (Tailai) and Northern Shan Ethnics Solidarity Party allowed to register as political party..... OTHER DOMESTIC NEWS: President U Thein Sein accepts golden rice award for promoting rice production...Low pressure persists over Bay of Bengal...Operators of Yangon?s first taxi call service aim to launch service soon...Myanmar educationalist brings honorary doctorate home...Information for Public Remonstration...ABU Radio Song Festival 2015 on 29 May...88 New Generation Democracy Party applies for registration as political party...Vice President urges Rakhine State authorities to stop human trafficking, transnational crimes...JCGV cinemas commissioned in Mandalay...Outstanding trainees in Buddhist cultural course honoured in Myanaung...MWEA holds annual general meeting...IPRD officials donate book for village libraries...Teaches attend scout instructor course in Taninthayi Region...Farmers and agricultural staff take course in climate-friendly agriculture...Housing for low-income families under construction in Aungmyethazan Tsp...Trainees receive caps and coats at Meiktila Nurses Training School...Modern technology for cement production introduced..... EXTERNAL RELATIONS: President U Thein Sein accepts golden rice award for promoting rice production...Myanmar educationalist brings honorary doctorate home...Ho Chi Min City Trade, Services and Tourism Expo 2015 opens...Public Expenditure Management Network in Asia kicks off...Myanmar, Vietnamese businessmen focus on investment, trade and tourism sectors...Myanmar, Israel discuss economic cooperation..... "PERSPECTIVES": "Sustainable strategy vital to ecotourism development" by Aung Khin..... ARTICLE: "The Challenge of Change" by Sonu Trivedi