Inflation declines to 6.63 pc

New Delhi, Feb 23 (UNI) The government's proactive role to curb the swelling price rise, has brought down the inflation rate slightly down to 6.63 per cent for the week ended February 10, from a record high of 6.73 per cent in the previous week.

The decrease has been attributed to cheaper food articles.

The Centre has set up a special monitoring cell to keep a daily watch on the price situation and provide support to state governments as required.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram yesterday said the rise in the wholesale price inflation was temporary and the rate was likely to fall once a major supply constraint eases with the arrival of the new wheat crop from March, The annual inflation rate calculated on point-to-point basis was 3.81 per cent during the corresponding week of the previous year.

UNI