GAINS: Democratic Progressive Party caucus whip Ker Chien-ming denied criticism that the proposed changes are akin to vote-buying by pandering to farmers
Taipei Times
Date: Jan 17, 2018
By: Sean Lin / Staff reporter
As of press time last night, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers were
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Wu Den-yih, center in white shirt and holding two microphones, and other KMT officials and legislators join protest organizers on a stage outside the Legislative Yuan in Taipei yesterday during a demonstration against the proposed nationalization of irrigation associations. Photo: Huang Yao-cheng, Taipei Times
filibustering the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) proposed amendments to the Organic Regulations for Irrigation and Water Conservancy Associations (農田水利會組織通則). However, it was expected that the amendments would pass last night.
According to the draft amendments, the Council of Agriculture would appoint association presidents and officials, while elections of association heads and officials are to be abolished.
Association officials would be governed by the Civil Service Administrative Neutrality Act (公務人員行政中立法), the proposals said.
The draft amendments also proposed that the term of all association presidents be extended from May 31 to Sept. 30, 2020, in line with the Taipei-based Chi-Sing Irrigation Association and Liugong Irrigation Association. [FULL STORY]
