New Delhi, Jan 2 (IANS): The price of non-subsidised cooking gas (LPG) was hiked Wednesday by Rs.220 per cylinder on firming international rates, state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) said.

The 14.2-kg cooking gas cylinder beyond the entitled nine at subsidised rates, will now cost Rs.1,241, up from Rs.1,021 in Delhi.

The new prices for the same cylinder in other metros are: Rs.1,270 in Kolkata, Rs.1,264.50 in Mumbai and Rs.1,234.00 in Chennai, Indian Oil Corp (IOC) announced.

This is the third increase in non-subsidised LPG rates in the past month.

According to the OMCs, international LPG rates have firmed up owing to increased winter heating demand.

Any requirement above the limit of nine cylinders per household per year, set by the government in January 2013, has to be purchased at market rates.

OMCs revise rates of non-subsidised LPG on the first day of every month, based on the average imported cost and the exchange rate of rupee to the US dollar during the previous month.