LAHORE - In yet another move to increase the miseries of public, the government, which seems more hungry after increasing rates of petroleum products and power tariff immensely, has decided to continue the turnover tax on Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketing Companies that has been withdrawn from the Oil Marketing Companies, pushing the LPG prices up by at least 20 percent, it was learnt. Presently the 11.8kg cylinder is being sold for Rs 1,100, which will now skyrocket to Rs 1,300, due to the cumulative effect of rise in international price as well as 0.5 percent jump in turnover tax. The government on Nov 2 has already withdrawn turnover tax for the OMCs and refineries to leave them free to earn maximum profit but the small dealers of the LPG were provided no facility in this regard and turnover tax on their product went on. The LCCI, while severely criticizing the increase in Turnover Tax on LPG from 0.5pc to 1pc, has said that the it would not be doing any favour to the govt rather it would be strengthening the corrupt elements as it would pave the way for 'out of book sale. In a statement issued here Wednesday, the LCCI President Shahzad Ali Malik said that with the increase in rate of turnover tax, the LPG consumer price would soar at least by 20 percent due to the cumulative effect of rise in international price as well as 0.5 percent jump in turnover tax. The LCCI President said that since the LPG is a high value product and usually sold in huge volume, the increase in Turnover tax would cause undue damage to people attached with LPG business. Shahzad Ali Malik said that there was no justification for the hike in turnover tax as government on Nov 2 had already withdrawn turnover tax for the OMCs (oil marketing companies), refineries and gas utilities. At a time when every segment of the economy was looking towards the government for some incentives, the government decision is bound to put a reverse gear to the economic activities. The LCCI President urged the government to take the decision back immediately to facilitate the end user and for creating level playing field for all the businesses.