Petrol in most of the filling stations in the city has been sold at Rs 52.15 per litre, 28 paise up since the central government announcement of hefty increase in the prices of petroleum products last week.

Dealers said the prices of petroleum products would go further up in the hills due to the increase in transport charges.

This was in sharp contrast to the state government's announcement on Tuesday to lower the prices of petrol and diesel by 50 paise and domestic LPG cylinders by Rs 12.48.

However, the prices of diesel fell by 12 paise to settle at Rs 36.90 per litre.

The new price regime came into being after the government withdrew the old sale tax exemption and applied the new ones, the decision for which was taken by the state cabinet on Tuesday.

While announcing the relief, Khanduri had said the onus of further substantial relief lies on the shoulders of the central government.

Prior to the Tuesday's announcement, petrol was sold at Rs 51.87 per litre and diesel Rs 37.02 per litre.

There was some confusion in the city as some dealers continue to sell petrol and diesel at old rates refusing to believe new ones.

But an HPCL official said all the petrol pump dealers had been instructed to hike petrol by 28 paise and lower diesel by 12 paise.