Ranchi, Jan. 14: The Centre’s indication to cost prices of petrol, diesel and LPG might have created turbulence in the political circles but oil company officials argue that a delay in price revision of LPG could lead to an increase in blackmarketing.

Sample this: The price of commercial LPG was Rs 967 per cylinder last November. It increased to Rs 1,151 in December and has touched Rs 1,164 this month.

Alarmed by the sharp rise in cost of commercial LPG cylinders, the dealers here have suggested that a hike in the price of domestic LPG gas cylinders is inevitable.

“If the huge margin between commercial gas and domestic gas is not bridged soon, the chances of an increase of blackmarketing of domestic gas would be imminent,” said Jayant Choudhary, the proprietor of Jayant Gas Agency.

“The government has no option but increase the price of LPG,” he added.

However, neither the company sales personnel nor the LPG dealers are able to predict what would be the new price of LPG cylinders in Jharkhand.

“The price of LPG depends on factors such as excise and sales taxes. If the government chooses to increase LPG price and decrease the taxes, we may have a lesser hike amount,” Choudhary said.

The present price of a cylinder of domestic LPG is Rs 305. Due to price hike of crude oil in the international market, the prices of LPG, petrol and diesel is expected to go up.