Tan Soe, a former Burmese military, who is an officer of forester, demanded extra taxation on forestry products from hackney drivers, car drivers and truckers at the entry gate of the Lashio - Namtu main road. Even though the taxation law has already published the exact costs, he didn’t follow the rule and he ordered an amount of five times more than before.
According to a car driver they just transported products for use in shelters and for their livelihoods. The products are thatched, Mangrove stem, Pillar, Bamboo and Charcoal which are basic needs for the residents. Those products will be used in house holding and the rest will be sold.” Than Soe, he threatened us that if we couldn’t pay the tax we would be sent to jail” said the driver. Therefore, not only the residents for their daily earning, but also the drivers and traders are in trouble.
A local villager said “we don’t have access to electricity, so we have to buy woods and charcoal to burn. We can’t afford to build a good construction by cement .We have to use our forest outputs even when we don’t want to destroy our environment. We are happy to pay tax conform the government law. But, if they are using their personal survival and luxuries without taking their responsibilities, we won’t pay tax as well”.
