Public Utilities 71 One ME received electricity from the two generators in the township that provided electricity to 20 houses each. Myint (Basket weaver, Naypyidaw) paid MMK 100 ($0.1) to the owner everyday. Before the generators she used kerosene lamps and candles. MEs who lived and operated their business from the Pagoda premises paid the Pagoda trustee as decided. Thet (Wood sculptor, Mandalay) and Kyi (Slipper keeper, Mandalay) got a submeter for electricity from the Pagoda and were being charged 25 kyats ($.025) per unit. The Pagoda trustee came every month to check the reading and calculated the bill. Hlaing (Paper umbrella maker, Nay Pyi Taw) lived in the Pagoda premises and received electricity from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday. At night he used candles. Electricity expenses were included in the monthly house rent of MMK 50,000 ($50). Myint bought electricity from the community generator Hlaing got electricity from the Pagoda from 6 am to 6 pm Those who were carrying out their business in the market and used battery run lamps, which cost MMK 100-500 ($0.1-$0.5) depending on the quality. If the MEs had any problem with these lamps they either called the distributor using their mobile or PCO. Sometimes they just walked to his office to get the lamp replaced. Than (Fish monger, Bago) used a battery run light for three hours in the morning for which she paid MMK 100 ($0.1). She set out for work at 4 a.m. everyday and required light for work. Chan (Strawberry seller, Yangon) paid MMK 600 ($0.6) for his lamp everyday. The distributor gave it by 6 p.m. and collected it by 10 p.m. everyday. Myo (Barber, Yangon) used a battery in his shop for light which he charged it at home and it lasted for 6 days. He replaced it once in every 2 years. He paid MMK 25,000 ($25) for the battery and MMK 25,000 ($25) for the inverter. In addition to this, he also for the electricity at home. The Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) official interviewed in Yangon mentioned that the MEs who operated from fixed shops in the market got electricity connection from YCDC. Its cost was covered in the monthly rentals, which varied from MMK 1600-2500 ($1.6-$2.5) depending on the size of the shop.