Inflation at its highest 6.12% in this fiscal

New Delhi, Jan 19 (UNI) In line with its upward trend and market expectations, the headline inflation rate stood at 6.12 per cent highest during the financial year 2006-07, for the week ended January 6 due to higher food and energy prices.

The inflation rate calculated on a point-to-point basis, crossed the upper limit of the RBI and reported at 5.58 per cent last week and 3.86 per cent during the corresponding period the previous year, according to official data released here today.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram had said inflation is a concern, but was within ''expectations'' even at 5.58 per cent.

''Inflation is a concern...(But) like RBI stated previously inflation is in accordance to our expectations. We continue to monitor it and continue to take all possible steps be it on monetary or fiscal side,'' he said last Friday.

UNI