Aug 29, 2008 (DVB), Disputes have arisen between residents and authorities in Beinnar village in Pyuntansa, Bago division, after authorities failed to supply electricity to people despite having collecting money from them.

The state-run Electric Power Corporation has collected 570,000 kyat from local people since the beginning of this year, but has failed to provide electricity to villagers.

When the villagers went to the committee to complain about the lack of electricity supply, they were told they would need to pay more money in order to bribe senior officials in Naypyidaw with it, a villager said.

"They will have to go and give money to Naypyidaw and the electricity power ministry, the village EPC said," the villager said.

Those who can afford it have been able to get their electricity supply from the nearby Shwe Nyaung Pin village by paying more than 200,000 kyat per household to the EPC and township officials.

"This is against the rules. It is forbidden to even get electricity from another ward according to the electricity law," the villager said.

"They are not allowed to get it from another ward, but now they are getting it from another township."

Reporting by Naw Say Phaw