CPI for AL and RL increases by two points each

Shimla, May 18 (UNI) The All India Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers, on base 186-87=100, increased by two points each for agricultural and rural labourers to stand at 394 and 395 points respectively in April as compared to last month, this fiscal.

Sources in the Labour Bureau said the rise and fall in the indices varied from state to state.

The indices in 17 states for agricultural labourers (AL) reflected an increase of one to nine points, decreased in two states by three to four points and remained stationary in one state, the sources said.

They said Punjab and Rajasthan topped the index table with 426 points, while Manipur was at the bottom with 343 points.

The indices in 18 states for rural labourers (RL) showed an increase of one to nine points, while decreasing by three points in two states, the sources said.

They said Punjab was at the top the table with 427 points, whereas Manipur was at the bottom with 344 points.

The index at Manipur experienced the highest increase of nine points each for agricultural and rural labourers due to rise in the prices of rice, mixed spices, vegetables and fruits and pan leaf.

On the other hand, the index at Assam in case of agricultural labourers reflected decrease of four points, while Assam and Bihar recorded a maximum decrease of three points each, incase of rural labourers.

The sources said the fall in the indices were due to decrease in the prices of rice, wheat atta, onion, chillies green, vegetables and fruits and sugar.

The point-to-point rate of inflation, based on CPI-AL and CPI-RL, decreased from 9.50 per cent and 9.17 per cent during March to 9.44 per cent and 9.12 per cent respectively during April, 2007, this year.

The respective rates of inflation during the corresponding period last year were 5.57 per cent and 5.23 per cent, the sources added.

UNI