CPI increases by one point each

Shimla, June 20 (UNI) The All India Consumer Price Index (CPI) for agricultural and rural labourers, on base 1986-87=100, increased by one point each to stand at 395 and 396 respectively in May as compared to April, this year, sources in the Labour Bureau said.

The CPI for agricultural labourers stood at 395, while for rural labourers it was 396 and the rise varied from state to state.

The sources said the indices for agricultural labourers showed an increase between one to six points in 14 states, while decreased by one to six points in five states.

Rajasthan with 424 points topped the table whereas Manipur was at the bottom with 348 points.

The sources said indices reflected an increase between one to six points in 14 states, decreased by one to five points in five states, while remained stationary in one state.

Punjab was at the top of the table with 425 points, whereas Manipur was at the bottom with 349 points.

The index at Karnataka registered the highest increase of six points each for agricultural and rural labourers, the sources said, adding that the increase was due to the rise in the prices of rice, jowar, ragi, fresh fish, green chillies, dry chillies, vegetables and fruits and biddi.

The index at Bihar registered a steep fall of six and five points for agricultural and rural labourers respectively due to fall in the prices of wheat, wheat atta, maize, fresh fish, onion, mixed spices and anacin, the sources said.

The point-to-point rate of inflation, based on the CPI-AL, CPI-RI decreased from 9.44 per cent and 9.12 per cent during April, this year, to 8.22 per cent and 7.90 per cent during May.

The sources said the respective rates of inflation during May during the corresponding period last year were 6.41 per cent and 6.38 per cent.

UNI