Government urged to fully pay Ramadan utility bills

Utility bills could be fully shouldered by the government during Ramadan under an urgent parliamentary proposal presented yesterday.

Under the electricity and water bills waiver plan for Covid-19, the government is spending BD150 million for April, May and June as part of the BD4.3 billion stimulus package aimed at offsetting the impact of the coronavirus on individuals and businesses.

However, the amounts paid are based on the bills for the three months of last year.

Five MPs behind the current proposal want the government to shoulder the additional costs during Ramadan as the consumption of electricity and water go up during the holy month.

“The additional costs would be around BD10m to BD15m and it wouldn’t affect the allocated package since it is not much,” said Parliament public utilities and environment affairs committee vice-chairman Ahmed Al Demistani, who is spearheading the proposal.

Source: http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/822538/Government-urged-to-fully-pay-Ramadan-utility-bills