Inflation jumps to 4.32 per cent

New Delhi, May 26: The annual rate of inflation rose to 4.32 per cent for the week ended May 13, as against 3.96 per cent during the previous week due to an increase in prices of vegetables, wheat and manufactured products.

The inflation rate, calculated on point-to-point basis, stood at 5.60 per cent during the corresponding week of the previous year, according to official figures released here today.

Earlier this week Finance Minister P Chidambaram exuded confidence that the government would be able to keep the inflation rate between four and five per cent.

The index for the Fuel, Power, Light and Lubricants group rose marginally to 319.8 from 319.7 for the previous week due to higher prices of lubricants (2 per cent). The index for Manufactured Products group rose by 0.4 per cent to 175.0 from 174.3 for the previous week. The index for Food Products declined by 0.1 per cent to 178.0 from 178.1 for the previous week due to lower prices of khandsari (1 per cent).

However, the prices of gur (2 per cent) and rice bran oil (1 per cent) moved up.

The index for Textiles group rose by 2.6 per cent to 133.4 from 130.0 for the previous week due to higher prices of synthetic yarn (38 per cent), cotton yarn-cones (2 per cent) and hessian and sacking bags, cotton yarn-hanks and other cotton yarn (1 per cent each).

However, the prices of polyster staple fibre (3 per cent) and tyre cord fabric (2 per cent) declined.

The index for Paper and Paper products rose by 0.1 per cent to 188.2 from 188.0 for the previous week due to higher prices of map litho paper (1 per cent).

The index for Chemicals and Chemical Products group rose by 0.2 per cent to 192.5 from 192.2 for the previous week due to higher prices of calcium ammonium nitrate n-content (8 per cent) and phenol (7 per cent).

However, the prices of bopp film (1 per cent) declined.

The index for Non-Metallic Mineral Products group rose by 0.2 per cent to 188.6 from 188.3 for the previous week due to higher prices of buliding bricks (4 per cent) and ceramic tiles (3 per cent).

The index for Basic Metals Alloys and Metal Products group rose marginally to 221.3 from 221.2 for the previous week due to higher prices of zinc ingots (6 per cent) and lead ingots (2 per cent).

The index for Machinery and Machinery Tools group rose by 0.5 per cent to 150.6 from 149.9 fro the previous week due to higher prices of mono block pumps (56 per cent), power driven pumps (7 per cent) and electric motors (3 per cent).

UNI