Public outrage grows over skyrocketing electricity and water bills
STELCO has been publishing statistics showing electricity usage during the month of Ramadan on social media
STELCO Head Office
Public outrage has begun to grow over the electricity and water bills that has risen steeply.
The government gave a 10 percent discount on both water and electricity bills during the fasting month of Ramadan. However, in addition to water bills, electricity bills have skyrocketed, and the public has been flooding social media with complaints and frustration regarding the sky high prices. Some households have said that even with the discount, their electricity usage has doubled.
Some people have said that when electricity and water bills increase in a month when people are not living at home, it raises questions. They said that Malé Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) and State Electric Company (STELCO) need to clarify this, and that this is deception. Some people have also responded to STELCO's statement that electricity bills have increased due to the hot weather and increased electricity usage. They have raised the question of whether water bills also increased due to the heat.
Further, since a separate bill is prepared for Ramadan, the February bill was sent much earlier. People have also expressed concern about the January and February bills coming so close together. Some people have also expressed dissatisfaction, saying that they are being charged for services they are not using.
In addition to this, some people have alleged that the bills have been increased to cover the cost of canned fish cases distributed by the government in connection with the month of Ramadan.
While bills have increased and public complaints have grown, STELCO said that bills are based on the electricity used.
STELCO said that generally, electricity usage increases every Ramadan month, and that electricity usage has increased this Ramadan month. STELCO also said that electricity usage has increased especially with the hot weather.
As bills have increased and public complaints are likely to grow, STELCO has been publishing statistics showing electricity usage during the month of Ramadan on social media.
RaajjeMV was unable to get a statement from MWSC concerning the issue of increased water bills.
