Lashio, 31 January 

Shan State Chief Minister Dr Lin Htut held a meeting with local people at the townhall in the town of Lashio, Shan state (north) on 29th January. Also present at the meeting were the state  ministers, Bamar ethnic affairs minister, the state chief advocate and heads of departments at state level.    At the meeting, State Chief Minister Dr Lin Htut said that it has been over three years that Shan State government took the responsibility of the state. Development works have been implemented with the aim of improving the socio-economic lives of local people,  ensuring stability, rule of law and all-round development. 

From 2016-2017 to 2018-2019 financial year, 535.2 miles of tarred road, a mile of concrete road, 49.5 miles of quarry road, 231.4 miles of dirt road, 129 box culverts, 106 concrete bridges and 17 concrete gutters were constructed in townships in Lashio district for smooth transportation by Road Department, Development Department and Rural Development Department. Besides, upgrade of roads and bridges are also underway under BOT system with private companies.

To provide more electricity in the district, 23.93 miles of 66 KV power line, one 22 KVA Sub-station were built with the use of union funds of K 4655.538 million. Using Shan state government’ s funds of K 10044.25 million, one mile of 33 KV power line, 117 miles of 11 KV power line, 111 miles of 400 V power line and 117 transformers were constructed. After the completion of these projects, a total of 31322 households in villages and towns in the district had access to electricity. A total of 134 villages had been provided with electricity.

Afterwards, local people reported the state chief minister on the needs of the area such as fire engines, road, wells, retaining walls, street lights, transformers, a meeting hall, 440 V power line, extension of school building, staff housing, upgrade of school building. The state chief minister, the state ministers and heads of departments at state level dealt with the reports made by local people. Then, a series of events to issue national registration cards, household form (66/6), driving licenses and financial assistance for VDP projects to local people took place.—Maung Maung Than (Taunggyi) 

Translated by Aung Zaw Lin