The
issues discussed by the DP group in Parliament at its regular meeting on Monday
mainly related to those to be considered by standing committees this week. The
group set up a working group to review the basic guidelines of the socio-economic
policy for 2011. It also heard reports from other working groups on several issues
and asked the groups to prepare recommendations to be submitted to the standing
committees and to Parliament.

The
meeting favored a parliamentary discussion on a government draft amendment to
the law on guaranteeing bank deposits and supported a draft resolution to change
the boundaries of some natural complexes.

One
of the other important issues discussed was construction of a thermal power
station based on the coal mine in Khuvsgul province near Mogoi River. The
Minister of Minerals and Energy explained why a Chinese company has been asked
to build the plant. The DP group supported cancellation of the agreement,
especially as MPs Ts.Sedvanchig and L.Gundalai, both of whom were elected from
the province, are against it. The MPs want a clear statement on the number of
Mongolian employees at the plant and also a new estimate of the costs now fixed
at USD110 million.  Also foreigners must
not own more than 49 percent of the plant.

Group
head Ch.Saikhanbileg told media after the meeting that ownership should be transferred
to Mongolia earlier than that proposed 30 years and foreign workers must not be
brought in large numbers.