Jan 4, 2008 (DVB), Officials in Thone Gwa township, Rangoon division, have been demanding up to 30,000 kyat from households to pay for improvements to the electricity supply.

Thone Gwa township Peace and Development Committee chairman U San Hlaing and Electric Power Corporation director major Myint Thu reportedly formed a committee for neighbourhood lighting, which has been collecting 20,000-30,000 kyat from every household with an electricity meter, according to a local resident.

The resident said that the committee claimed the money was needed to upgrade the electricity service.

"They said they have to buy the necessary equipment and wire cables for electricity poles," he said.

The township PDC and EPC refused to comment on the claims.

Township residents say that these officials have often asked for money from the locals to make improvements to the electricity supply, but electricity shortages remain common.

The residents complain that, despite having paid the money requested by the authorities, they have seen no improvements to the service.

Reporting by Maung Too