CNI News
11 November 2023
Although all the prices are going up gradually in northern Shan State due to severe battles taking place between the Tatmadaw and the Three Brotherhood Alliance in northern Shan State, it is convenient for the people from the basic class because philanthropic associations are helping reportedly.
The philanthropic associations in Muse are selling basic foodstuff at a lower price, philanthropic associations told CNI News. At present, the number of donors has decreased for the philanthropic associations and most of associations are carrying out in a self-help manner, an official from the Beautiful Heart Philanthropic Association, told CNI News.
" In spite of being convenient, some people can't come to the place where goods are sold at lower prices. They only buy and eat from the vendors who come in front of the house and sell on motorbikes. Prices are going up. But now the egg price has been stable. When the egg price was going up, the number of the people who imported eggs from the Chinese side has increased. And then the price has decreased. The grassroots were in trouble. In Muse City, motorcycle vendors arrive in every neighborhood. But gasoline price is very high as well." he said.
Muse township philanthropic associations are selling vegetables
Due to the battles between the Tatmadaw and the Three Brotherhood Alliance (AA, MNDAA and TNLA) in northern Shan State, the price of a bag of coarse rice has increased to 1.5 lakh kyats and the price of egg rose to 20,000 to 30,000 kyats for 10 eggs, said Muse residents.
When the commodity prices are high like this, rich people have bought and stored a lot of bags of rice.
Some rice shops sell six pyis of rice per head reportedly.
Moreover, Muse-based Kanlet Ku Nyi Philanthropic Association are selling a bag of rice (24 pyis) at 96,000 kyats, and a viss (3.6 pound) of potato at 1,200 kyats and a viss of tomato at 3,000 kyats and one pyi of rice at 4,000 kyats for the grassroots.
So, although the commodity prices are high, it still is convenient a bit for the grassroots, U Htay, chairman of the association told CNI News.
Muse township philanthropic associations are selling vegetables
" Because the battles have not broken out in Muse as yet, there have been no big difficulties. Our association sells a bag of rice at 96,000 kyats, one pyi of rice at 4,000 kyats and ten eggs at 9,000 kyats. Because we are able to control some commodity prices, we don't have big problems. But phone lines have been cut. There are no battles in Muse, but the Muse residents are worried that the battles will break out. The difficulty is that those who are trapped in Muse want to go home. Those who were coming to Muse are also trapped on the way." he said.
MNDAA and its allies fought the Tatmadaw camps, police stations, township general administration offices and toll gates in Laukkai, Theinni, Muse, Mong Ko, Chin Shwe Haw, Naunghkio and Lashio Townships on 27th October.
The number of local IDPs due to the battles has been by the tens of thousands reportedly.
