Responding to public concern, the Government swiftly addressed the issue by announcing that April's bills would also feature similar deductions, ensuring citizens wouldn't face inflated charges post-Ramadan.
The Press.mv
The annual surge in utility bills during the sacred month of Ramadan is an all-too-familiar challenge for households. While some adeptly navigate through this period with minimal impact on their expenses, a significant portion find themselves confronted with bills that skyrocket to double, or even triple, their typical amounts. This phenomenon, shrouded in a myriad of possible explanations, remains a pressing issue for many post-Ramadan. As families conclude their month of fasting and reflection, they are often greeted with the daunting task of settling hefty bills that arrive in the subsequent month, casting a shadow over their post-celebration spirits.
In an effort to alleviate this burden on citizens, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives took a proactive step by announcing that utility bills would remain at standard rates for the month of Ramadan. To execute this, March’s utility bills were structured to display the regular monthly amounts, along with corresponding discounts offered during Ramadan. However, despite this initiative, subsequent bills did not reflect the same deductions, posing a challenge as the final days of Ramadan extended into the following month. Consequently, citizens found themselves grappling with unexpectedly high utility bills shortly after the conclusion of Ramadan.
Responding to public concern, the Government swiftly addressed the issue by announcing that April's bills would also feature similar deductions, ensuring citizens wouldn't face inflated charges post-Ramadan. Nonetheless, this announcement came after many had already settled their bills, resulting in a significant portion of the population bearing the brunt of elevated expenses.
In a bid to rectify the situation, the State Electric Company (STELCO) announced plans to adjust next month's electricity bills for customers who had paid before the special discount was implemented. Similarly, the Male' Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) pledged to offer discounts on April's water bills. MWSC assured customers that even if the initially applied 10 percent discount didn't suffice to match March's billing, further reductions would be made. Moreover, households newly availing of water services were promised similar discounts to ease the financial strain.
Source: https://edition.mv/news/33233
