HLUTTAW SESSIONS:- PYIDAUNGSU HLUTTAW: Pyidaungsu Hluttaw discusses national planning bill: "Nay Pyi Taw, 26 Feb — Pyidaungsu Hluttaw on Thursday discussed the fundamental principles of national planning bill for 2015-16. Representative Daw Tin Nwe Oo of North Dagon Constituency said that it is important to place emphasis on industrial sector for national development and agriculture sector has encountered shortage of labour force due to seizure of farmland and natural disasters. She added that projects that are not necessary should be cancelled and money should be spent on long term investment like education and health. Representative Daw Khin Thanda of TadaU constituency said that it is important to give compensation and damages for confiscated land in order to successfully implement policies, measures and objectives of agriculture sector and state-run enterprises that are making losses should be handed over to the private sector for higher productivity and skills of workers. Representative U Kyi Tha of Gwa constituency said that 42.5 percent of Myanmar?s export earnings came from the sales of natural gas while 23.9 percent came from agriculture sector but industrial sector generated only 11 percent of export earnings. Emphasis should be placed on development of agriculture sector and industrial sector, he added, saying that it is important to get correct data and to link projects for the success of them. Representative U Tin Maung Oo of Shwepyitha Constituency said that it is important to collect more taxes to reduce inflation and deficit and to issue citizenship scrutiny cards in accordance with the law under Moe Pwint project. Representative U Thein Lwin of Chauk Constituency said that distribution of fuel oil is monopolized by private entrepreneurs who failed to lower the prices when oil prices fell down in the international market and it is important to open the market to others in order to allow competition. Representative Daw Dwe Bu of Ingyanyan Constituency said that it is important to cooperate for development of education and health sectors in areas of national races. Pyidaungsu Hluttaw session today approved the bills amending the mercantile customs act and inland customs act."..... OTHER DOMESTIC NEWS: Most striking workers return to work while some persist...YCDC disperses Michaungkan protest...Administrative reform coordinating committee meets...New library ready to give service to local people in Pobbathiri Tsp...Villagers in Yinmabin Township to get new rural health branch...Commission to supervise elections of members of MCDC...Mandalarians donate cash to military servicemen, families, service personnel...Shan plateau with mist-covered mountain ranges attracts tourists...Rode to Mandalay caravan proceeds to Bagan via Natogyi...Agriculturists disclose experiences on use of Trichogramma in cultivation of crops...New highway bus line runs along Taungtha-Welaung- Myingyan-Mandalay route...Draft of Myanmar national prevention of violence against women law to be submitted to Hluttaw in April or May...Myanmar Gazette...ITBMU offers suggestions on proposed Ministry of Science and Technology Technology national education bill...Tatmadaw accelerates military operations in Laukkai...NNER, CSOs discuss bill amending national education law...A map show clashes between government?s troops and Kokang insurgents in Laukkai region...Mon athlete secures champion in decathlon event...University students join rowing contest..... EXTERNAL RELATIONS: President U Thein Sein accepts credentials of Malaysian, Laotian and Australian Ambassadors...Myanmar, Thailand look to take giant leap into digital economy together...Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker meets Under- Secretary-General for Political Affairs...YTU, Tokyo University to cooperate in research on disaster risk reduction...Myanmar, Japan exchange views on situations of human rights...Vice President Dr Sai Mauk Kham views public health management systems in Bangkok...UN to cooperate in peace and national reconciliation processes of Myanmar...India-Myanmar Expo 2015 to be displayed from 27 Feb to 1 March...Union FM meets Sri Lankan Ambassador to Myanmar..... "PERSPECTIVES": "Educational benefits are beyond doubt" by Kyaw Thura..... ARTICLE: "DEMOCRACY" by Kyi Mun