Though the Burmese military junta has convened the three parliament houses on 31 January, some of the elected members are yet to procure 17 books of parliamentary law, which they need to attend the sessions.

“The books can be bought in Yangon for Kyat 2300 to 2500 each, but we members of parliament are still waiting for the books. We hope to get them sooner or later,” said U Nangthan, of the State Parliament from Falam township in Chin state.

The 2008 Constitution is being sold for Kyat 1000 in Chin state for the time being. The parliamentary law books will cost Kyat 10,000 each in Chin state when available, said a bookshop owner in Kalemyo.

“Each book is selling for Kyat 8,300 in Yangon, I have heard. The price will go up when we get it here,” he added.

The parliamentary books are the Union Government Law, Region or State Government Law, State Constitution, Tribunal Law, Union Appointment Judicature Law, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Law and Bylaw, Pyithu Hluttaw Law and Bylaw, Amyotha Hluttaw Law and Bylaw, Region or State Hluttaw Law and Bylaw, Union Judicial Law, Union Attorney -General Law, Union Auditor-General Law, State seal Law and Bylaw, Law and Bylaw on Election of President and Vice-Presidents, Self-Administered Division or Self-Administered Zone Leading Body Law, Nay Pyi Taw Council Law, State Flag Law and Bylaw and National Anthem Law and Bylaw.

It is learnt that these books were printed on 11 January, but the government does not want to publish it for the people. The 2008 Constitution has been printed in a limited number.