The first amendment to the Utility Regulatory Authority Act has been ratified.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ratified the first amendment bill to the act on Sunday.

The bill was passed by the People’s Majlis at its 24th sitting of the third session of 2022, on October 17.

The amendment bill has been publicized in the government gazette, following ratification.

The recently passed amendment adds a new section under section 34 of the act which mandates the Utility Regulatory Authority (URA) to formulate guidelines that govern billing for general utility services upon consultation with utility providers. The amendment also allows the tenants , or those who use the service to be billed, instead of the owners.

The Utility Regulatory Authority is required to specify the procedures for calculating late fines, circumstances for service discontinuation, and procedures to be followed in such cases in the guidelines according to the amendment.