Expansion of Burma’s telecom network benefits Kannan
25 January 2007: Trade and economic activities between India and Burma has come as a boon for some in the vicinity of Tamu town in Sagaing Division of Burma. Tamu is one of the main gateways to Indo-Burma border trade and some people are enjoying benefits accruing from the extended telecommunication network.
In the last week of 2006, military authorities in Burma extended its telephone network in Kannan village in Tamu. They have provided telephone connections at appropriate rates compared to the previous year.
The people of Kannan village with over 700 households have been given the opportunity to apply for connections. The subscribers have to pay Kyat 600,000 as connection fees.
“We have already bought the telephone box. It only needs to be connected,” said a villager from Kannan.
Unlike Kannan which the authorities propose to make a model village, other villages in the surrounding areas are not enjoying this facility. They were charged Kyat 100,000 as connection fee.
In
order to ensure smooth transportation, the Government of India has
assured to provide Rs. 100 million to Burma for the reconstruction of
the 100-mile Tamu-Kalay-Kalaywah Road.
On November 3, 2006, the authorities from both countries held a meeting in Tamu and reached an agreement on trade and border security. - KNG
