CPI registers five per cent increase in September

Shimla, Oct 20 (UNI) The All India Consumers Price Index (CPI) numbers for agricultural labourers (AL) and rural labourers during September this year, increased by five points each to stand at 380 and 381 points respectively, sources in the Labour Bureau said today.

The increase of five points each for agricultural and rural labourers varied from state to state, sources said adding the indices registered in an increase of two to ten points in 19 states, while decreased by a point in one state for agricultural labourers.

Punjab was at the top of the table with 408 points, while Manipur was at the bottom with 335 points, they said.

The sources said the indices showed an increase between one to ten points in 19 states and decreased by a point in one state for rural labourers. Punjab topped the index table with 411 points, while Manipur was at the bottom with 335 points.

Bihar recorded the sharpest increase of 10 points each for rural and agricultural labourers due to rise in the prices of rice, wheat/atta, pulses, fresh fish, dry chillies, mixes spices, vegetables and fruits, firewood and washing soap, they said.

Kerala, on the other hand, registered a decline of one point each for rural and agricultural labourers due to fall in the prices of rice, fresh fish, vegetables and fruits and sugar.

The point-to-point rate of inflation based on All India Consumer Price Index for AL and RL increased from 6.53 per cent and 6.21 per cent in August to 7.34 per cent and 7.02 per cent respectively in September.

The respective rates of inflation during the same period last year stood at 3.21 per cent and 3.19 per cent, the sources added.

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