Workshop on amendment of land confiscation act held

September 27, 2017

The opening ceremony for a workshop on the amendment of the excise act and land confiscation act of 1894 that is still being used by the government was held at the assembly hall of the Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday, with an opening address by Lt. General Kyaw Swe, Union Minister for Home Affairs.

Also, present at the ceremony were members of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw’s Legal Affairs and Special Cases Assessment Commission, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs and permanent secretary, departmental heads under the Ministry, legal advisory committee members under the ministry, heads of its related departments, representatives from Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay City Development Committees, administrators from regions and states, retired officers of general administration department and representatives from the Myanmar Beverage Federation—45 altogether.

In addressing at the workshop, the Union Minister said it was time to enact a new law that superseded the current colonial-era statutes.

“Today’s meeting was held to amend or renew the Excise Act and Land Confiscation Act, which are still being used by the general administration department under the Ministry of Home Affairs, according to the suggestion of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw’s Legal Affairs and Special Cases Assessment Commission. In the colonial era, excise management and collection were administered by administrative personnel such as district collectors and township officers. In 1972 when the new administration system was introduced, the excise department was abolished. From then, excise management was transferred to the Internal Revenue Department, with prevention and suppression duties transferred to the Myanmar Police Force. Starting from FY 1989-1990, excise management and collection of excise tax was resumed by the General Administration Department. Now that 1917 Myanmar Excise Act entered the period of a century, and economic implementation type and manufacturing systems are changing with the passing time, it was found that compilation of a new law which will be of great benefit for the public is urgently needed. And, it is also necessary to cooperate with related ministries with a view to keep natural environment free from hazards, freedom from illicit excise businesses in the country, freedom from health risks, up to the stage as least as possible and acquisition of tax and revenues to the full. So as to bring about the national benefits, the new act needs to be drawn up after fulfilling necessary facts in every point, in accord with the prescription of the Constitution, 2008.” The workshop will continue until 29th September, it was learnt.

Myanmar News Agency

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar