As part of the government’s ongoing efforts to ease financial burdens on residents during Ramadan, State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) has announced that every household will receive a minimum 10% discount on their electricity bills during the holy month.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu recently confirmed that, similar to last year, both electricity and water bills would be discounted to help families manage their expenses during Ramadan.
At a press conference held on Wednesday, STELCO’s Senior Manager, Mujthaba Mohamed, provided further details on how these discounts would be applied. The company explained that discounts would be calculated based on the difference between the electricity usage in Ramadan and the average usage from the previous months.
“For example, if the typical electricity bill is MVR 15,000 and the bill during Ramadan is MVR 2,000, the discount would reflect the difference between the two amounts,” Mujthaba explained.
However, he added that to ensure fairness, every household will receive a minimum 10% discount, regardless of individual usage variations. While the exact maximum discount has not been specified, this approach aims to ensure that the financial burden on households is alleviated during the holy month.
In addition to the discounts, STELCO also announced changes to how meter readings will be taken and how bills will be generated. Beginning this Ramadan, meter readings will be collected at the end of each month to synchronize billing with the timing of salary disbursements. This change is expected to help ease payment schedules and ensure that households can pay their bills more conveniently.
“If there is any significant discrepancy in the bill, customers will be able to compare the readings on their bill with the actual meter reading,” Mujthaba added, offering reassurance that transparency in billing would be prioritized.
President Muizzu has long emphasized his administration’s commitment to resolving issues surrounding utility bill hikes, particularly during Ramadan. Last year, similar discounts were offered, and the government has promised to continue addressing concerns related to utility pricing during the holy month.
The government’s initiative to provide these discounts is expected to provide relief to many Maldivian families, helping them navigate the financial demands of Ramadan with greater ease. With a focus on fairness and accessibility, STELCO’s efforts demonstrate a clear commitment to supporting citizens during this important time of year.
