Myanmar: Ks2m handed out in power fines

Myanmar: Ks2m handed out in power fines

The Ministry of Electricity And Energy has told the media that it has raised
more than Ks2 billion from a three-month investigation into electricity
theft.

Between October to December last year 83,031 people were examined from
Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakine, Shan, Sagaing, Tanintharyi and Nay
Pyi Taw states and regions.

A total of 254 cases with a variety of violations, such as illegal tapping
of electric power lines and tampering with electric meters, were found.

Most had to pay one year's worth of electric bills calculated upon average
consumption per month, while some were sentenced to jail.

"Actions taken mostly involve a year's worth of fines if a user was found to
be draining power illegally. Even if it was for a day, the fine is still for
a year. And since this is an offence serious enough to face jail time, some
were sent to prison but not many. There were a lot of businesses and also
those that didn't really know what they were doing. Some were big and some
small but an offence is an offence so all are charged under electric power
laws," said Director Aung Kyaw Oo from Yangon Electricity Supply
Corporation.

Sagaing Region came third in fines with Ks25 million.

Yangon and Mandalay regions had 174 violations and Ks1.79 billion in fines.

Aung Kyaw Oo claimed that a system where the authorities would better
regulate electricity usage was still in a testing phase and until it was
implemented the ministry would rely on physical records and on-site checks.

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Link to Original Article: http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/local/7811

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com