STELCO and FENAKA on Sunday said that as promised by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, discounts have been applied to the utility bills during Ramadan.

President Dr. Muizzu had instructed to cap the utility bills for Ramadan this year as a lot of citizens raise concern over higher bills during the month.

Some citizens have been raising concerns over bills being high this Ramadan as well.

Addressing the public concerns during a press conference at President's Office, STELCO's Managing Director Hussain Fahmy said most of the bills discounted fell under the Ramadan billing cycle.

"We understand some consumers have fallen under the billing cycle. Although the billing cycle is shorter that the month of Ramadan, overall, a large number of consumers have been billed with the discount," Fahmy said.

Fahmy said STELCO believes the discounts on bills were given properly and the company has issued MVR 20 million in discounts on bills.

He added that since Ramadan coincided with the hot season, global climate changes added to the increase in cost of electricity.

Managing Director of FENAKA Corporation, Muaz Mohamed Rasheed, said the discounts on the bills were given based on the general cap on bills. He added that the bills were capped as per the guidelines provided by the Utility Regulatory Authority.

"The bill during Ramadan is not higher compared to the bill on any normal month," Muaz said.

He added that a 10 percent discount was also given to the bills that did not receive a discount this time for not exceeding usage limit during a normal month.

According to FENAKA and STELCO, a total discount of MVR 45 million has been provided on bills to cap electricity bills for Ramadan as promised by President Dr. Muizzu.