In line with soaring international rates, the government-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) on Wednesday made sharp hikes in the rates of non-subsidised LPG, commercial LPG, as well as auto LPG.

The non-subsidised 14.2-kg cooking gas cylinder now costs Rs 220 more from the previous rate - Rs 1,241 per cylinder as compared with previous rate of Rs 1,021 in Delhi.

It was the third hike in the rate of non-subsidised LPG cylinder in the last one-month period. On December 1, the price of LPG was hiked by Rs 63 a cylinder to Rs 1,017.50. On December 11, it was hiked by a further Rs 3.50 to Rs 1,021. It may be noted here that consumers have to buy LPG cylinders at market rates when they have already consumed their entitled 9 subsidised cylinders.

The price of auto LPG has also been increased. In the national capital, it has been increased by Rs 11.13, from Rs 54.40 to Rs 65.53 in the national capital.

B Chandrashekar, general secretary of Karnataka Rajiv Gandhi Auto Taxi Chalakara Vedike, said that the price hike would have a very bad effect on autorickshaw drivers.

Criticizing the hike, Chandrashekar said, "This will have a very bad effect on autorickshaw drivers. Considering that auto fares were increased only recently, we cannot even demand that the auto fares be revised along with auto gas rates."

Rate of commercial LPG has been hiked by Rs 385 per 19-kg cylinder, from Rs 1,834.50 to Rs 2,219.50.