Maungdaw, Burma: The Village Peace and Development Council, or VPDC members have been collecting paddy from farmers for Cyclone Nargis victims in northern Arakan State since May 25, said a village elder from Maungdaw Township, on condition of anonymity.

The Burmese military junta authorities ordered to the Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) on May 24, to collect 1 kg of rice per acre from each farmer. VPDC members have been ordered by the TPDC to provide two heads of cattle from every village for cyclone victims. But, the VPDC members are yet to collect money from the villagers to buy the cattle.

The VPDC members are now buying cattle with their own money because it will take a long time to collect money from the villagers. Later, the VPDC will collect the money spent from the villagers, said a trader on condition of anonymity.

The farmers of northern Arakan were ordered to provide 5,500 Tans of rice (one Tan = 40.91 liter) from each village.  Farmers are willingly donating rice for the cyclone victims who have become homeless.

Most of the villagers fear that VPDC members will collect more money than the amount actually spent to buy the cattle.

In the aftermath of the cyclone Arakan has been witnessing a rise in prices of essential commodities.