In response to the COVID-19 crisis and to provide residents of Myanmar with some economic relief, the National Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), and the Ministry of Electricity and Energy announced that 150 kWh of residential electricity consumption from April 1 to 30, 2020,  and 75 kWh of consumption from May 1 to 15, 2020 would be delivered free.

The Mon State government also ordered private companies who deliver electricity across Mon State to use a base rate of 300 Kyat per 1 kWh of electricity consumption as of April, 2020.

However, Southern Myanmar Development (SMD), a private electricity company has ignored these government orders. They are charging consumers 400 Kyat per 1 kWh of electricity for the month of  April.

“The Mon State and the Union governments both ordered reductions in the electricity fees. Private companies must Follow @ to collect 300 Kyat per 1 kWh of electricity consumption in our region. But the company didn’t … and [instead] collected 400 Kyat per 1 kWh. We can’t accept this rate. We must talk with the village Administrator,” said a Pa Nga resident who is calling for reduced electricity fees.

Local consumers gathered to meet with village Administrators and have filed their demands. The Ye Administrator promised the companies would charge only 300 Kyat per 1 kWh of electricity consumption for May, 2020.

Consumers expressed skepticism with the Administrators promise, because it was made without the presence of representatives from the electricity companies.

“We can’t trust him at all. According to what we agreed with the company, if there is something changed, the company and the consumers must meet and make a negotiation. But we don’t meet each other now. The company said nothing about the government’s order and just collected 400 Kyat per 1 kWh. If the company didn’t follow the order, we will organize a protest,” said a local consumer.

The Mon State government identified the following companies to reduce electricity fees:  Myat Thu Ya Company Limited, SMD Company Limited, SEGAP Company Limited, BFL Company Limited and Khaw Zar Electricity Providing Committee.

Lamin town, Taung Pone, Taung Pyin, Kawdut, Maw Kanin, Maw Kanin New Village, Hnint Kayin and Tha Pyay Thit villages all receive electricity provided by SMD Company Limited.

This article was first published by HURFOM.