Power shortage sparks protest

About 200 residents holding candles marched around the town on February 28, ending at the Bogyoke Aung San Statue where they left the candles.

“Students are find it difficult to study at night as the matriculation exams get near. I’d like the government to inform people about electricity shortages,” one protester said.

Thein Tun Win, the senior electrical engineer in Bago Region’s west district, blamed a lack of water for the shortages. “Most of the electricity is generated from hydroelectric power plants. In summer, the plants cannot run as usual because of a lack of water,” he said. “Authorities have ordered us to supply electricity from 5am to 5pm from March 1 until 22. If there’s a problem, we’ll make an announcement to the public.”

 

‘Toxic discharge’ alarms residents

A chemical plant in Sagaing region’s Katha district has been accused of discharging toxic chemicals into ditches and waterways. Analysis of the liquid discharged from Great Wall Ethanol plant found that it could be fatal, people who live near the plant told the press last week.

A laboratory analysed the water discharged from the plant as well as water samples taken 700 metres from it, they said. “We’ve observed that cattle have died because of this water,” said Htet Oo Kyaw, director of Myanmar Mobile Institute, a group of area residents.

Great Wall Industry has been producing sugar, ethanol, methanol, fertiliser and wood since 2004.

 

More benefits for insured workers

The Social Security Board plans to work with private clinics and hospitals so insured workers can get 24-hour medical care, board chairperson Yu Lwin Aung said.

He said negotiations with private clinics and the health ministry would take a year. The plan “requires establishing standards, such as how much will be charged for each procedure,” he said. 

The board, which is under the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, operates social security clinics around the country, but the clinics are only open only from 9am to 4pm.

Most private clinics and hospitals are open 24 hours a day.

 

Y-pay card for online payments

Yatanarpon Teleport is planning to ask for monthly ADSL bills with Y-pay card online and it will be officially introduced this month, according to sources from Creative Web Studio, which is a joint venture for Yatanarpon Teleport.

“Currently we are trying to pay electricity bills via online in Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay already have that system,” Aung Phyo from Creative Web Studio said.

The studio is joint together with Asia Green Development (AGD) Bank currently and planning to make business with other banks. Y-pay card users have to be an AGD bank account to use.