HLUTTAW SESSIONS:- PYITHU HLUTTAW: Ministries of forest conservation, cooperatives, NPED deal with Amyotha Hluttaw queries: Nay Pyi Taw, 23 Feb — Deputy Ministers of union government answered the queries of representatives at Amyotha Hluttaw?s 20th day session Monday. In reply to the query of U Bo Ni, an MP of Yamethin Township constituency, Deputy Minister U Aye Myint Maung for Environmental Conservation and Forestry said the country has adopted a 30-year plan from 2000-2001 to 2030-2031 fiscal years for forest conservation, with updating every decade and reviewing every five years and development of reserved forest to 30 percent of the country?s total area and 10 percent for natural habitats. He also explained afforestation and growing of firewood plants with the contribution of people. Regarding query of Dr Than Aung, an MP of Shwebo Township constituency, the Deputy Minister said the ministry has not planned to extend the period for farmers to settle agricultural loans, as the loans from EXIM Bank of China will have to be paid back in eight years. Thura U Aung Ko, an MP of Kanpetlet constituency, asked the plans on proper use of international grants and loans. Deputy Minister Daw Lei Lei Thein for National Planning and Economic Development said the ministry has formed two committees to scrutinize foreign grants in cooperation with union-level ministries, governments of states and regions, foreign aid agencies for prevent misuse of international supports." ...AMYOTHA HLUTTAW: School libraries in operation, says education deputy minister: Nay Pyi Taw, 23 Feb — Deputy Minister for Education U Thant Shin discussed on the suggestion of U Salai Khwe Yan of Chin State?s No 12 constituency for development of school libraries across the country. In reply to the ethnic MP at Amyotha Hluttaw on Monday, U Thant Shin said that libraries in the state-run schools are now operating as a ?learning environment? to support both children and teachers. He also said Ministry of Education is persuading the school children to develop reading habit, and setting up mobile libraries in cooperation with Ministry of Information. Defence Services Personnel representative Major Kyaw Nu Maw also said that libraries are knowledge banks for all people and annual fund will be needed to set up school libraries traditionally or digitally. U Thein Hlaing, an MP of Sagaing Region constituency 8, said slow development of libraries in the country is due to the lack of skills by librarians and of reading habit among the people, especially in rural areas. Another military representative said education sector must be promoted to become a modernized country, and both the government and communities should support for the emergence of libraries in more than 40,000 state-run schools. U Bo Rei, an MP of Kayah State constituency 3, said books and libraries are true friends of children as knowledge banks. Daw Khin Waing Kyi, an MP of Yangon Region constituency 1, said, a wide knowledge could help someone in making right decision. U Aung Cho Oo, an MP of Bago Region constituency 11, also suggested libraries should be developed through modern technologies. Amyotha Hluttaw then decided to keep records of these discussion."..... 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