‘Census Scam’ Reported in Karen State

4 April 2014

Villagers in Karen State say that local leaders have been collecting money from them to support the ongoing national census, reports Karen News. According to residents of the village of Ka Mawt Ka Kyo, village heads have been asking people in the area to contribute 1,200 kyat (US $1.20) per household for teachers carrying out the census. U Pein, the village head of Ka Mawt Ka Kyo, denied the allegations, saying the money was being collected to support teachers at the village mosque. Sin Tint Lwin, an immigration officer with the Karen State government, said that teachers were being paid 8,500 kyat per day to conduct the census, which began on March 30 and will be completed on April 10.