The Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) cancelled licenses allowing butchers to slaughter in Kalemyo, Sagaing Division, Myanmar. This has brought down prices of meat.

The butchers did not know the reason behind the cancellation of licenses by TPDC. However, all meat prices are going down, as the sellers do not have to pay taxes. Now, pork, beef and other meat prices are Kyat 2000 per Kg down from Kyat 5000.

In recent years, Kalemyo TPDC group used to auction the license at high prices. The license buyers, therefore, demand at least Kyat 50,000 per domestic animal, so that meat price was very high earlier.

A local in Kalemyo said everyone was happy that meat prices are going down, but we do not know when it will go up again.

Prices of other commodities like rice, salt and oil are also going down. The old-rice was Kyat 7000 per bag from Kyat 10,000. The new price is down to Kyat 5000 per bag from 7000, he added.

The market price has made daily labourers happy, but it has made farmers sad as price of rice is going down.

One of the TPDC members said that the reason may be related to the coming general elections in 2010 and the government is trying to woo civilians and its employees in every corner.

Economic crisis looms large in Myanmar making people struggle for survival. Some have migrated to neighbouring countries.

The military junta increased oil (petrol/diesel) prices up to five times than was normal. When 88 generation students and civilians demonstrated to roll back prices the authorities arrested them in 2007. The junta continues its crack down so that the 2010 elections are not disturbed and it is handing out two to 65 years in prison sentences to dissidents.