MUSCAT: In what could be a huge relief, the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR) has directed utility firms “not to disconnect” the power supply of subscribers due to non-payment of dues. 

With growing complaints from citizens over the inflated bills, APSR also strictly instructed the firms to restore the electricity to subscribers whose services were previously disconnected. However, speaking to The Arabian Stories, citizens and residents while thanking APSR said this could only be a temporary relief. “We would like to thank APSR for coming forward to take this decision but I request them to find a permanent solution to this,” said Hashir Mansoor Al Hashmi.  

Al Hashmi who typically spends just under OMR 15 a month for his electricity bill each month was was shocked to see OMR 33 for the month of July. 

The situation is similar for many citizens and residents who were taken aback by their electricity bills having doubled, or even tripled, in the past month. “When I enquired, they said it could be because the subsidies have been removed and maybe because we consuming more than what we used to previously because of summer but this time last year even when we were in lockdown due to pandemic, the bill used to be below OMR 15,” Al Hashmi has said speaking earlier to TAS. 

Meanwhile, following directions from APSR, Muscat Electricity Distribution Company said they have restored electricity to subscribers who were previously disconnected from the service. 

APSR also asked subscribers to submit their  grievances directly through the licensed electricity companies in different governorates or its affiliated call centers and the authority’s accounts in various social media or through the Hasel platform.