Political parties representing Myanmar’s ethnic minorities have called for constitutional amendments that would give states and regions more financial independence, Mizzima has been told.
Among the parties which have called for amendments to the taxation rights of the states and regions are the Pa-O National Organization, the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party and the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party.
They have made their suggestions in submissions to the joint parliamentary constitution review committee which is due to present its report to the Pyindaungsu Hluttaw by January 31.
Among the 58 suggestions to the committee from the Pa-O National Organization is a proposal to expand the power and authority of the state and regional governments to collect taxes.
The Pa-O National Organization had also proposed that the central government share more power with the states and regions, said U Khun Maung Thaung, a Pyithu Hluttaw MP and member of the PNO’s constitution amending council.
U Boe Aung, a central committee member of the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party, said that as well as calling for greater taxation rights, the SNDP had also called for an amendment to the constitutional provision which puts limits of who may become president.
U Aung Mya Kyaw, who represents Sittwe for the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party, said the taxation system was unfair to the states and regions.
“If they really want true fairness, they need to provide power and authority equally among the states, regions and central government,” U Aung Mya Kyaw said.
Meanwhile, the joint parliamentary constitution review committee has revealed that it received more than 320,000 submissions from the public, political parties and organizations before a December 31 deadline.
