All-India CPI number for RL and AL increases by five points each

Shimla, June 20 (UNI) The All India Consumer Price (CPI) index numbers registered an increase of five points each for Agricultural Iabourers (AL) and Rural Labourers (RL) in May as compared to April, this year, labour sources today said.

The CPI numbers stood at 365 and 367 points for agricultural labourers and rural labourers respectively.

The rise and fall in indices varied from state to state, the sources said.

The indices for agricultural labourers showed an increase of one to eight points in 18 states, registered a decrease of four points in one state, while remaining static in another state.

Meghalaya topped the index table with 393 points, while Manipur was at the bottom with 330 points.

The indices for rural labourers showed an increase of one to eight points in 19 states, while decreasing by four points in one state.

The sources said Punjab was at the top of the index table with 395 points, whereas Manipur was at the bottom with 331 points.

Maharashtra and West Bengal for AL and West Bengal for RL experienced the sharpest increase of eight points each.

The increase was due to the hike in the prices of rice, wheat atta, jowar, bajra, pulses, green chillies, dry chillies, vegetable and fruits, firewood and aspro.

Manipur for AL and RL recorded a maximum decrease of four points each due to a decrease in the prices of rice and bringal.

The point-to-point rate of inflation based on all India consumer price index for agricultural labourers and rural labourers increased from 5.57 per cent and 5.23 per cent respectively in April to 6.41 per cent and 6.38 per cent respectively during May this fiscal.

The respective rates of inflation during the corresponding month last year were three per cent and 2.99 per cent.

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