PLN‘s 2004 sales target fixed at Rp57.61 trillion

State-owned electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) has put a sales target of Rp57.61 trillion for 2004, or 15.35 percent higher than the previous year, the Investor Indonesia newspaper reported in its Thursday edition.

In order to meet the sales target, PLN will actively recover from the defaulters, the company’s director of customer service and trade Sunggu Anwar Aritonang said in a press release sent to the Investor on Wednesday.

Sunggu said from the total unpaid bills, PLN’s central distribution area itself has Rp92 billion in unpaid bills during January 2004. Out of this amount, households owe 14 percent, business 2 percent and the industries 83 percent.

As per the December 2003, there was Rp1.14 trillion outstanding amount from the customers. But this figure is on the decline since then.

PLN will impose strict sanctions -- ranging from cutting of electricity connection to filing lawsuits against the defaulters – against defaulters, Sunggu said.

At the national level, there are 600 defaulters, whose total unpaid bills reach more than Rp1 trillion and the total unpaid dues reached Rp400 billion in Jakarta and nearby areas. (*)