State utility companies, STELCO and FENAKA have said a total discount of MVR 45 million on water and electricity bills was provided by both companies during Ramadan.
Speaking at a press conference held at the President's Office on Sunday, STELCO's Managing Director Hussain Fahmy said President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu decided to give a special discount on utility bills during the month of Ramadan considering the typically high bills during that period. Fahmy said the discount applied to all domestic consumers, and new connections, amounting to MVR 20 million.
Fahmy said it was not feasible to take readings for over 48,000 consumers on the first and last day of Ramadan due to billing cycle constraints and other factors like salary and rent payment dates. However, he expressed confidence that the discount was provided during a peak period.
"We believe the discount was given at a good peak period. If we look at the bills, the discount was given a good period, overall," Fahmy said.
At the press conference, FENAKA's MD Muaz Mohamed Rasheed said FENAKA provided a discount of MVR 25 million during Ramadan. He explained that water bills are calculated from the 25th of one month to the 24th of the next month, and the first discounted bill therefore covered both Ramadan and non-Ramadan periods within the billing cycle. Muaz clarified that the discount was calculated for the portion exceeding the average, including days during Ramadan.
