Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government has again considered to raise the prices of electricity (TDL) to reduce the energy subsidy budget in the 2012 Draft State Budget.

"Probably in April 2012, TDL will be increased by 10 pct proportionally except for poor households with lower than 240 VA," Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo told the press with regard to the financial note and 2012 Draft State Budget in Jakarta Tuesday.

He said however that the plan will first be discussed with the House of Representatives (DPR), especially that the government`s plan to raise electricity prices by 10 to 15 pct this year had been turned down by DPR.

The finance minister said the raise would be possible because the government has never raised the TDG since 2004 and the plan would not affect next year`s inflation rate already set at 5,3 pct.

The government has lowered the electricity energy subsidy in the 2012 draft state budget to Rp44.96 trillion, which is lower than the Rp65,6 trilliun in this year`s amended draft state budget.

For next year`s power subsidy policy the government will preserve the efficient power supply and maintain sustainable power supply for the consumers.

"The government will also provide electricity subsidy to the right subscribers with the support of fair tariffs," the finance minister said.

In addition the government will also set a 7 pct margin for state electricity company PLN in 2012 and a network depletion of up to 8.5 pct and optimizing energy mix for power plant fuel especially coal and gas based. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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