In the wake of Cyclone Nargis which lashed Burma in May 2008, people rely more on cheap short wave radios which are affordable by common people to get true facts and information relating to Burma. The use of these cheap radios among the people has increased considerably.
“After Nargis, Chinese manufactured radios have been on brisk sale. Now after Daw Suu has been put on trial, the radio is more in demand among people. Radios are selling like hot cakes. A radio can be bought at a mere Kyat 4, 500,” an electric appliances and electronic goods dealer said.
Most of the people are unaware about the need to pay tax for the use of the radio, a postal office staff said.
“It’s unimportant. No one knows about paying tax for listening to the radio,” he said.
Though the reminder was issued to pay radio tax through the state-run media, the postal offices in Burma haven’t yet received any specific instruction regarding the tax or the reminder, he added.
A list of radio users have been compiled this year and articles appeared recently in the state-run media reporting the government’s policy which says satellite receivers and dishes should not be permitted for public use.
Moreover, the Ministry of Communication is selling USD 50 worth one-time-use mobile SIM cards, envelopes and is now introducing three-months-advance bill payment for telephone users.
Though it issued a reminder to pay radio tax, the satellite receiver annual fees are yet to be accepted by the department concerned.
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