Burmese Gov’t collects Union Day expenses from people

Khonumthung News, 23 March – The Paletwa Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) authorities are collecting money from the people to recover expenses incurred by participants of the Union Day ceremony in Nyipidaw, capital of Burma on February 12, 2009.

. Map of Chin State, Burma

There were 25 people who participated in the Union Day ceremony in Nyipidaw from Paletwa town, southern Chin state, a source said. The TPDC authorities collected Kyat 300 per household to recover traveling expenses and other expenditure incurred by the participants.

Although the military junta pays all expenses for the Union Day ceremony to representatives and participants, TPDC collects money all the same from people every year, said a local.

“Last year they collected Kyat 100 per family, but this year they have demanded Kyat 300 per family. We know that the government has paid all expenses for the participants, but the TPDC threatened to imprison us if we refuse to yield to their demand,” he added.

The money has to be collected by this month and the total amount has to be submitted at the TPDC office in Paletwa town, Chin state.

“There are around 14,000 families in Paletwa Township. If they can collect Kyat 300 per family, they will amass about Kyat 42,000,000. It’s much more than the expenses incurred even if it is assumed they didn’t get enough money from the government. They are making money from us,” he added.

During every Union Day event at least 20 people from Chin state go to the capital of Burma to perform traditional dances. They are flown to Nyipidaw. On their return the authorities in Chin state extort money from local people for their own use in different townships in Chin state.

Share with others: