CPI stable February

Shimla, Mar 20 (UNI) The All India Consumer Price Index Number for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL) (on base 1986-87=100) for February this fiscal remained stable at 357 points and at 359 points for Rural Labourers (RL).

The rise and fall in indices varied from state to state.

The indices in respect of nine states increased between one to five points, showed a decrease of one to six points in nine states and remained stable in two other states.

Meghalaya with 385 points topped the index table, whereas Manipur was at the bottom of the table with 323 points.

The indices in respect of eight states increased between one to five points, showed a decrease of one to five points in eight states, while remaining stable in four other states.

Punjab was at the top of the index table with 387 points, while Manipur was at the bottom with 324 points.

Rajasthan experienced the sharpest increase of five points each for AL and RL.

The increase in the indices was mainly due to the increase in the prices of wheat atta, jowar, bajra, maize, gram dal, moong dal, milk, chillies green, sugar, country liquor, firewood, shirting cloth cotton and plastic shoes.

Manipur, on the other hand, recorded a maximum decrease of six and five points for AL and RL respectively.

The decrease in the indices was mainly due to decrease in the prices of rice and vegetables and fruits.

The point-to-point rate of inflation, based on CPI-AL, increased from 4.69 per cent in January to five per cent in February this fiscal, while the CPI-RL remained stable at its January level of 4.66 per cent in February.

The rate of inflation during the corresponding period last year was 2.41 per cent and 2.39 per cent.

UNI AS DP SR BST1756