Commodity prices soar on power hike, govt pay raise
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Prices of commodities have been rising since the first week of April after the government increased the basic salary of state officials by Ks 20,000 (Bt675).
The prices of meat and fish jumped by about 60 per cent. A bundle of watercress increased from Ks 150 to Ks 250. Similarly, the price of oil rose by Ks 100.
Union Minister for Electric Power Khin Maung Soe submitted a legislative proposal to raise power charges, as of April 1, to the Union Parliament on March 17. For government offices and homes, the charge for one unit is Ks 35. For industrial purposes, the charge is Ks 75. According to the current power bill rate, the government had to spend Ks 284 billion on power consumption.
According to the increased power bill for residences and government offices, the charge from one to 100 units is Ks 35. The rate from 101 to 200 is Ks 40 and the rate above 200 is Ks 50. For industrial use, 1 to 500 units is put at Ks 75. From 501 to 10,000 units the rate is Ks 100. From 10,001 to 50,000 units the price goes up to
Ks 125. From 50,001 to 200,000 units the rate has been fixed at Ks 150, and using 200,001 to 300,000 units will cost Ks 125. The price jumps if more than 300,000 units is used.
