Agricultural Labourers' price index increases by one point

Shimla, Feb 20 (UNI) As compared to the month of December 2006, All -India Numbers for Agricultural Labourers (Base 1986-87-100)for January, 2007 increased by one point to stand at 391 points whereas it remained stationary at 391 points for rural labourers, according to Labour Bureau here today.

The rise and fall in indices varied from state to state. In the case of agriculture labourers, 10 states reflected an increase in indices ranging between one to five points, in eight states the indices decreased ranging between one to four point while in two states the indices remained constant.

Punjab with 421 points topped the index table whereas Manipur was at the bottom with the index level of 333 points.

In the case of Rural Labourers, in six states the indices reflected an increase ranging between one to four points, in nine states the indices decreased ranging between one to four point while in five states the indices remained constant. Punjab was at the top of the index table with 422 points whereas Manipur was at the bottom with 334 points.

The index of Rajasthan experienced the highest increase of five points for agricultural labourers and the indices of Karnataka and Rajasthan showed the highest increase of four points each for rural labourers mainly due to increase in the prices of wheat atta, maize atta, raungi, onion, pan leaf and firewood.

On the other hand, the index in respect of West Bengal recorded the maximum decrease of four points each for agricultural labourers and rural labourers mainly due to decrease in the prices of rice, vegetables and fruits and saree.

Point to point rate of inflation based on the CPI-AL and CPI-RL increased from 8.94 per cent and 8.31 per cent during December, 2006 to 9.52 per cent and 8.91 per cent respectively during January, 2007.

Respective rates of inflation during January, 2006 were 469 per cent and 4.66 per cent.

UNI