YANGON, 24 Jan - Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe inspected sanitation tasks in Yangon municipal area this morning.

The commander inspected the tasks by Tatmadawmen, members of Myanmar Police Force, Yangon City Development Committee, social organizations and ward dwellers for unblocking of the drains along Anawmar Road in Ward 13, South Okkalapa Township. Next, the commander gave instructions to the officials concerned.

The commander and party looked into collection of rubbish, weeding of wild plants and dredging of the drains in the sports ground in Dagon Myothit (South) Township.

Afterwards, they inspected work being done for proper drainage of No 5 drain leading to the river and sanitation work on Shukhintha and Zingama streets in Thakayta Township. Officials reported on progress in carrying out tasks for cleanliness of the region and proper drainage and future plans. The commander left instructions and attended to the needs.

The commander also inspected sanitation work in Pazundaung and Botahtaung townships. The commander gave instructions on systematic steps to be taken by respective departments in cooperation with social organizations and local people for cleanliness of Yangon municipal area.

YANGON, 24 Jan - Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, together with officials inspected construction of Kayan sluice gate in old Chaungwa Village in Thanlyin Township and flow of water in Bago River this morning. Director of Construction-6 of Irrigation Department U Khin Maung Myint reported on construction of the sluice gate, measures taken for digging of canal and design of the sluice gate. Director-General of Irrigation Department U Kyaw San Win gave a supplementary report.

The minister discussed construction of Kayan sluice gate, greening work of 30- mile radius (East) of Yangon City, water supply, irrigation, Minywa, Bagan Nyaungbin, Kyaikpadaing, Tawa and Shwe Hlay sluice gates. The minister inspected construction of Kayan sluice gate, digging and laying of concrete. He gave instructions on durability, completion of the projects, quality control and the set standard.

The Kayan sluice gate is being built at a place where Bago River and Kayan Creek meet. It will supply water to the farmlands in Kayan, Thongwa and Thanlyin Townships, to prevent the inflow of salty water into the farmland, and contribute towards the development of the regions.

In the afternoon, the minister and party inspected Ngamoeyeik sluice gate on Ngamoeyeik Creek near Hlegu and Dagon Myothit (East) Townships, irrigation to 6,000 acres of farmland near Ngamoeyeik Creek and building of temporary dam for summer paddy cultivation.

Officials reported on construction of the sluice gate, storage of water for cultivation of double and triple crops in six village- tracts in Hlegu Township and cultivation of 4,000 acres of summer paddy.

YANGON, 24 Jan - Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe inspected summer paddy plantations and development tasks in Mingaladon and Hlegu townships, Yangon North District, this afternoon.

The commander inspected construction of Hsinpon Bridge Project on the road under construction to link Khayaybin Road on the border of Mingaladon and Hlegu townships and No 7 Circular Road, and summer paddy fields in Hsinpon and Balar regions in Hlegu Township. Officials reported to the commander on construction and agriculture and water supply tasks. The commander gave instructions on timely completion of the project and carrying out water supply tasks under the supervision of officials concerned.

Next, the commander and party inspected digging of canals with the use of heavy machinery for supply of water to summer paddy plantations in Sangyiwa Ward, Mingaladon Township. The commander gave instructions on cultivation of paddy on all vacant lands and ensuring sufficient water for plantations, and fulfilled the requirements.

Next, they looked into No 8 canal. Director of the Irrigation Department U Kyaw Thein reported on progress in digging canals by the department for irrigation of paddy fields.

The commander held a meeting with local farmers. At the meeting, he said that the Government has provided all necessary assistance for agricultural purpose. So, local farmers should cultivate summer paddy on all scheduled areas and to grow beans and pulses, edible oil crops, vegetables and cash crops by means of double or triple cropping, he urged.

Afterwards, they proceeded to the sluice gate project on Ngamoeyeik Creek and inspected the damming of the creek and construction of an earth embankment. Officials reported on facts about the project, steps to be taken for extended cultivation of summer paddy, and growing summer paddy in the division. Replying to the reports, the commander said that on completion, the project will be able to benefit some 5,000 acres of summer paddy and it will prevent the paddy fields from flooding in the rainy season. Efforts are to be made to ensure completion of the project as soon as possible, he noted. He stressed the need to make use of irrigated water. He also urged the officials to cultivate summer paddy, beans and pulses, edible oil crops, vegetables and cash crops. The commander inspected the sluice gate project site and left necessary instructions.

YANGON, 24 Jan - Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, in charge of Yangon Division, Mingaladon Township and Yangon West District industrial zone met industrialists in Mayangon and Hline townships yesterday.

In the meeting, the minister dealt with greater efforts to be made for contributing towards the industrial sector and priority to be given to production of farm implements and machinery necessary for transforming the manual farming to mechanized farming and fulfilled their requirements.

The minister looked into production process at Luthit Industry and U Thaung Sein & Sons Industry in Mayangon Township.

The minister also inspected the Multipurpose Community Tele-centre in Phaunggyi village, Hlegu Township, and left necessary instructions on ensuring installation of telephone lines and dissemination of information technologies for upgrading of the rural areas.

YANGON, 24 Jan - A newly-constructed Naung-byet tarred road undertaken by dwellers of Ward 4 and Kutkai Township Development Affairs Committee was put into commission on 2 January morning.

Col San Shwe Tha of Kutkai Station, Director of Shan State DAC and Chairman of the committee for building the road U Kyee Myint formally opened the 2,000 feet long and 12 feet wide road.

Present on the occasion were members of social organizations and townsfolk totalling over 1,000.

YANGON, 24 Jan - The Development Affairs Committees under the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs are making concerted effforts in sinking tube-wells in order to get sufficient fresh water in rural areas in States and Divisions where water is scarce.

One 200 feet deep two-inch dia-meter tube-well costs K 250,000; one 400 feet deep two-inch diametre tube-well costs K 500,000; and one 200 feet deep four-inch diametre tube-well costs K 500,000.

Those wishing to donate cash for the tube-well sinking projects for rural areas may contact the Director-General (Tel: 01-245420 & 253088), the Deputy Director-General (Tel: 01-240118), the Director (Engineering) (Tel: 01-291967), the Directors (Sagaing Division Development Affairs Committee) (Tel: 071-21012), the Director (Magway Division Development Affairs Committee) (Tel: 063-23164) and the Director (Mandalay Division Development Affairs Committee ) (Tel: 02-54657).

YANGON, 24 Jan - The Subcommittee for Organizing the Painting and Sculpture Contests under the Work Committee for Organizing Poem and Arts Contests in commemoration of the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day announced rules for the painting and sculpture contests on 24 January.

The painting contest comprises six categories - pre-primary level, junior primary level (primary, first and second standards), senior primary level (third and fourth standards), middle school level (fifth to seventh standards), high school level (eighth to tenth standards and technological and agricultural high schools) and open division.

There will be only one category in the sculpture contest with wood sculpture category and plaster sculpture in open division. Anyone may take part in both.

In the pre-primary level to high school levels, the size of the entry must be 15" x 20". The entry must be endorsed by respective principal with name, standard, school, township, date of birth, father's name, full address and two passport-size photos attached. The entries are to be sent to the Education Planning and Training Department at 123 Natmauk Street, Bahan Township, by 23 February 2004. Entries for the open division painting contest must be 20" x 30". Name, NRC No, date of birth, father's name, occupation and full address must be expressed with two passport-size photos attached.

The entries for the wood sculpture and the plaster sculpture contests must not be higher than 36 inches high and circumference not larger than 24 inches. At the foot of the works, name, NRC No, date of birth, father's name and address must be shown with two passport-size photos attached, and they must be sent to Tatmadaw Convention Hall on U Wisara Road between 1 and 3 March. All the entries must reflect the twelve objectives of the State, the objectives of the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day and the twelve fine traditions of the Tatmadaw.

Entries for open division painting and sculpture contests are to be sent to Secretary. Myanmar Traditional Artists and Artisans Asiayon (Central), Pabedan Township, Yangon, by 1 March or to Secretary of the Subcommittee for Organizing the painting and sculpture contests at the Tatmadaw Conventional Hall between 1 and 3 March. Apart from the entries for the contests, other paintings and sculptures may be sent to be displayed at the exhibition to be opened in honour of the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day.

They must also reflect the twelve objectives of the State, the objectives of the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day and the twelve fine traditions of the Tatmadaw, and should be sent directly to Tatmadaw Convention Hall between 1 and 5 March.

YANGON, 24 Jan - Product Promotion seminars were held at MICT Park on Hline University Campus, Hline Township, where the Third Myanmar ICT Week 2004 is being held, attended by those from computer companies and banks, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts.

At the seminar that began at 9 am today at the Conference Hall, Chief Operation Officer of Myanmar Computer Company Daw Chaw Khin Khin explained matters related to opening of e-Shops free of charge at Yangon City Mall for e-Commerce sector, and Vice-Chairman U Pyi Sone, matters related to new software Mini-ERP for SME (S) produced by MCC for e-Big sector.

Next, General Magager of Myanmar Information Technology Co Daw Ni Ni Tun presented matters related to ERM (Enterprise Resource Management System) based on Accounting System, HRM and payrol System, Project Costing System, CRM System, etc produced by MIT.

After that, Sales Manager U Min Zaw of INTEGRA Systems Co explained matters related to the use of i-Ledger and its advantages in connection with i-Ledger Account System.

Next, officials of Myanmar World Distribution Co explained the use of Open Source Software for Agricultural Information Management System, e-Commerce Application, Virtual Document Library, Enterprise Portal and K-POS with security and authentication.

Next, Marketing Manager Daw Mi Mi Aye of ACE Data System explained the computer systems suitable for small and medium entrepreneurs.

The seminar continued at 1 pm. Director U Di Pa of Myat Tha Pyay Co explained sales of six kinds of computers with Hyper Threading Technology and Serialata Dick by the company.

Next, Software Development Manager U Than Htaik of Forever Group explained matters related to Staff Management System, Photo Library Management System, Library Management System and Video Library Management System.

Next, Director U Ye Thura Thet of Myanmar Information Technology Pte Ltd explained matters related to Hospital Information System and Senior Systems Executive U Ye Soe Myat, matters related to Tele Consulting Application for Health Care and the seminar ended.

YANGON, 24 Jan - The Third Myanmar ICT Week 2004 continued for the fourth day at Myanmar Information and Communication Technology (MICT) Park on Hline University Campus in Hline Township here today.

The exhibition is crowded with Internet and IT enthusiasts, students, service personnel, and the public. Digital EPABX machines and telephones and security system of Expo Myanmar Co are displayed at the exhibition. At the booth of Forever Group (Myanmar e-book) Myanmar books and Myanmar e-book accounts can be bought at 10 percent discount through the Internet. During the exhibition e-books can be read free of charge through on-line.

Computers, JBM, Sony VA 10, Toshiba, note books, digital camera, network products device, mobile, GSM and other electrical goods can be bought at reasonable price at the booth of Myat Tha Pyay Family Co. In addition, booths of Suntac Technologies, Soft Guide Computer Centre, Myanmar Golden Rock Int'l Co and Integral Systems Co put on display their products at the exhibition.

The Myanmar ICT Week is kept open daily free of charge to the general public from 9 am to 5 pm till 27 January. At the MICT Park Security Issues and Related Products Seminar and e-Procurement Seminar will be held at 9 am and at 1 pm reseptively on 25-1-2004. Wireless and Broadband Application Seminar and Myanmar National Counter-Strike Championships Final will be held at 9 am and at 1 pm reseptively on 26-1-2004 at the same venue.

YANGON, 24 Jan- Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Deputy Director-General of Department of Archaeology (Upper Myanmar) Mandalay Branch U Aung Kyaing and officials inspected renovation of Aungsigon ancient pagoda built by King Swasawke in 736 in Saga-in Village and ancient Buddha images of Innwa periods at the excavation site in TadaU Township yesterday.

The minister gave instructions on preservation of the artifacts.

The minister and party inspected Tagaungku Ordination Hall built by King Tagaung, father of Thadoe-minphya and gave instructions on excavation of stone inscriptions.

YANGON, 24 Jan - The World Canaan Farmers' Movement of the Republic of Korea donated computer sets and farm implements worth US$ 26,000 and a building worth K 15 million to the Myanma Farms Enterprise under the Ministry of Agriculture & Irrigation on 21 January.

The ceremony to hand over documentaries relating to the donations was held at the Myanmar Canaan Farmers' Training School in PyinOoLwin Township.

Present on the occasion were World Canaan Movement President Dr Kim Bum Il, Managing Director of Myanma Farms Enterprise Col Myint Shwe, PyinOoLwin District Agricultural Supervisory Committee members, the principal of the training school, course instructors, factory managers and those in charge of the farms.

The training school is opened under the joint sponsorship of the Ministry of Agriculture & Irrigation and the Korean NGO named World Canaan Farmers' Movement. Altogether four training courses were conducted in 2003-2004 fiscal year at the school for ensuring development in technical know-how among the farmers. Altogether 138 trainees attended the courses.

YANGON, 24 Jan - Minister for Education U Than Aung, Chairman of the leading committee for organizing School Family Day, hosted a dinner in honour of those who helped and took part in the School Family Day at Diamond Jubilee Hall on Pyay Road here yesterday.

The dinner was attended by Chairmen of the work committees-1 and 2 for organizing the School Family Day Deputy Ministers for Education Col Aung Myo Min and U Myo Nyunt, director-generals and chairmen of the departments and committees under the ministry, rectors, officials, wellwishers, township education officers, teachers, students and guests.

Minister U Than Aung gave away cash awards to the students who presented entertainment programmes. Next, the minister made a speech and the dinner was hosted to those present. After the ceremony, the minister, deputy ministers and officials posed for documentary photo together with the students.

YANGON, 24 Jan - A ceremony to open a delivery room and a rural health care centre in Phonedaw Naing-Ngan Letthit Village, Amrapura Township, Mandalay District, Mandalay Division yesterday morning.

Present on the occasion were Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council member-1 Divisional Commissioner U Kyin Lin, Mandalay Division Union Solidarity and Development Association U Tin Maung Oo and CEC member Mandalay District in charge U Sein Myint, Amrapura Township PDC Chairman U Tin Myint and members, departmental officials, donor U Myint Swe and wife Daw Tin Tin Myint and guests.

U Tin Maung Oo, wellwisher U Myint Swe and the township medical officer formally opened the delivery room and the rural health care centre by cutting a ribbon and viewed round them.

The wellwisher handed over the documents related to the buildings to the township medical officer.

YANGON, 24 Jan - A combined team including members of local intelligence unit and Yangon Special Anti-drug Squad, acting on information, searched suspect Than Lwin (a) Kalar on Hsinmin Street, Hsinmin Ward, Ahlon Township, on 10 January 2003 and seized him together with 40 stimulant tablets bearing WY letters.

In connection with the case, Ahlon Police Station filed a lawsuit against Than Lwin (a) Kalar, son of U Tin Htwe of Theitpan Street, under section 15/19(A) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.

Yangon West District Court sentenced him to 20 years in prison under section 19(A) on 3 December 2003.

YANGON, 24 Jan - A combined team including members of local intelligence unit and Muse Special Anti-drug Squad, acting on a tip-off, searched the house, No 98, Ward-5, Kyugok (Pansaing), on 11 January and arrested Ma Haung Law Shan, Aik Sam Maung and Kyan Phone together with six blocks of heroin weighing 2.1 kilos from the kitchen. According to their confession, the authorities seized 64 blocks of heroin weighing 24.19 kilos packed in three green backpacks hidden in a ditch in Tawsaing Village, Pansaing.

In connection with the case, Kyugok (Pansaing) Police Station is taking action against Kyan Phone, son of U Kyan Chaingwin, Aik Sam Maung, son of U Swet Shan Hsaing, and Ma Haung Law Shan, daughter of U Hon Shein Chain, under section 15/19(A)/21 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.