The department overseeing electric power transmission projects will designate over 45,000,000 Kyat on Friday, as compensation to the locals whose lands were taken for the installation of electricity towers and power lines for the 66 KV power production project from Mon State’s Capital Mawlamyine to Chaungzone Township, according to the Mon State electricity distribution service.
93 farmland owners from Chaungzone Township, Bilu Kyun Island, will be compensated 17,700,000 Kyat losing parts of their land to the electricity lines construction. 17 orchard and rubber plantation owners from Mawlamyine capital, formerly known as Moulmein, will be also given 27,400,000 Kyats, according to U Tet Paing Myo, head of state electricity engineering of Mon State electricity distribution service.
“Since the union government’s budget can only be used after reporting and presenting it, and because the project can only be implemented after its request, it requires a bit further project activity. In the beginning, it requires marking the areas that will be compensated. It also requires gathering the list, which takes time. As a result of the delay, we are submitting the letter over and over again in order to get it approved early this year,” said U Tet Paing Myo.
The department responsible for electric power transmission projects started installing electricity towers on October 24, 2015, in order to distribute electricity to Chaungzone Township. However, on October 28, affected local farmers consistently began asking for compensation.
“At first, they agree to provide compensation. But it has been delayed. When I asked them ‘why the delay?’. they informed me that the finances have not been counted yet. After this calculation process, the compensation will be provided,” said Dr. Aung Naing Oo, Deputy Speaker of Mon State Hluttaw, and Hluttaw representative of Chaungzone Township (1) Constituency.
Dr. Aung Naing Oo added that the department overseeing electric power transmission projects will continue to provide as necessary if the locals, who will have their land taken for the electricity line, are not satisfied with the amount that they will be provided with.
As per the electricity line installation across Mon State, the compensations have been provided to locals on two separate occasions. Once in Ye Township and second is this Mawlamyine-Chaungzone electric line.
The department overseeing electric power transmission projects will provide the 66 KV electric lines from Mawlamyine to Myawaddy and from Mawlamyine to Thanbyuzayat in this coming fiscal year.
