Fuel rationing has returned to Yangon after a brief respite during the weeks leading up to the November 7 election, media reports said Sunday. Long queues for petrol at privately owned stations have become a normal sight again in the former capital since the second week of November, when the military government slashed supplies of subsidised fuel by 30 per cent, the Myanmar Times reported.
Subsidised fuel was available in much greater supply at all petrol stations nation-wide in the weeks leading up to the election. The pro-junta Union Solidarity Development Party won 77 per cent of the contested seats, amid accusations of tampering with advance votes, vote-buying and coercion.
Fuel stations have resumed rationing sales to motorists to 2-3 gallons (9 to 13.5 litres) per day.
Saw Aung, general manager of New Day petrol stations, predicted the reduced supplies of subsidised petrol would be permanent. A spokeswoman for one company in Yangon said the government sold gasoline to fuel stations for 2,300 kyat (2.30 dollars) a gallon, which they sold at retail for 2,500 kyat.
Although the government recently privatised petrol stations, it continues to monopolise the import and wholesale distribution of all petroleum products.
Taxi driver Tun Tun Oo said he usually buys petrol from filling stations because it is 1,000 kyat cheaper than petrol bought on the black market.
"Some fuel stations don't want to sell gasoline to taxi and pickup truck drivers because they think they will sell it to the black market," he told the Myanmar Times.
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