Jan 26, 2009 (DVB), Electricity authorities in the Arakan state capital Sittwe has been demanding hundreds of thousands of kyat on top of the regular meter fee, according to local residents.

The electricity board has not given any valid explanation for the additional charge, but names it a 'compensation fee', a resident said.

"The scheme was dreamt up by the township electrical engineering department and the electricity supply committee people, who issued an edict on the subject of compensation, fines and replacement fees," the resident said.

"They demanded 190,500 kyat from people and told them they would take away their meter box or cut off their electricity supply if they didn't pay."

Residents, who already have to pay 500 kyat for each meter box in their homes, still do not understand what the charge is for, and said they do not know who to complain to as they doubt any action would be taken against the authorities.

Reporting by Naw Saw Phaw