Cooking gas crunch occurs in Yangon

Yangonites are currently facing a sales limit for cooking gas, and gas filling charges jumped in the first week of December.
“Cooking gas shortages hit Yangonites. The gas filling stations set quotas in early December. Additionally, the charge is up by K8,000 per viss. Some shut down the shops by complaining about the cooking gas crunch,” Daw Thiri Lwin, a housewife who uses gas in South Okkalapa Township, told The Global New Light of Myanmar (GNLM).
Yangon market has been bracing for a cooking gas shortage since 25 November amid transport disruption from foreign markets, causing the price hike. Yet, locally produced gas can be withdrawn continually at the relevant station.
“Earlier, in cooperation with authorities, private companies sold the gas stove at K100,000 together with a permit book to fill the gas. Nonetheless, I did not care much as I could buy them freely at a cheaper rate in the market. Lately, the charges have risen compared to the rate offered with the permit book. That kind of gas stove sale, along with the book, is closed. We expect that sales for now,” Ma Win Yee, a cooking gas user from North Dagon Township, told the GNLM.
“Meanwhile, the price of charcoal is K2,000 per viss. The costs of both charcoal and gas are exorbitantly high. Gas can be used longer than charcoal. The households are preparing for another energy option for cooking amid the frequent energy blackouts,” the GNLM quoted Daw Khin Shwe Oo from Thingangyun Township as saying. — TWA/EM