Sittwe: The prices of rice in Sittwe increased suddenly after the authority increased membership fees for rice traders in Sittwe, the capital of Arakan State, said a rice shop owner on the condition of anonymity.
 
"We increased the price of rice in Sittwe because the authority forced us to pay 10,000 kyats per month as membership fees. The authority issued a letter on 20 July, 2009, to all rice shops in Sittwe for all rice shop owners to pay the amount requested as membership fees," he said.
 
After the notice letter was issued by authorities, the price for standard rice such as Paw San Mwe increased from 18,000 kyat to 25,000 kyat per sack in Sittwe markets.
 
"All kinds of rice in our city have been increasing since the authority increased the membership fees. We have no way to avoid the increasing prices. So, it is affecting the people, not rice shop owners," he said.
 
According to a letter issued by the Rice Merchant Association, all rice shop owners in Sittwe must apply as members of the association. If they do not apply for membership, they are not allowed to sell rice in Sittwe.
 
Furthermore, the authority stated in the letter that all members of the merchants association had to pay membership dues within three days from the start of the month. If anyone failed to pay the dues, the authority is going to undertake the mission of rice trading in Sittwe.
 
According to a local source, the Rice Merchant Association in Sittwe made the decision to increase membership fees during the meeting that was held in Sittwe on 19 July, 2009.
 
The Arakan State Rice Merchant Association is a private organization but it has carried out activities in accordance with the government's instruction.
 
In Sittwe, the price of rice fell in the last few months, making life easier for people. However, the prices have increased again since the authority increased association dues for rice traders in the capital.