Price Index number for agriculture, rural labourers increase

Shimla, Mar 20 (UNI) The All-India Consumer Price Index Number for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers (Base : 1986-87=100) for February this year increased by four and three points respectively to stand at 417 points for both the series.

The rise and fall in index varied from state to state.

In the case of Agricultural Labourers, seven points reflected an increase in index ranging between one to three points, six states between four and five points and three states between seven and nine points.

In two states of Meghalaya and Tripura, the index decreased by four and five points respectively, while in two states of Maharashtra and Manipur the index remained constant.

Haryana with 448 points topped the index table, whereas Manipur was at the bottom with 366 points.

In the case of Rural Labourers, the increase in index ranged between two and three points in six states; between four and five points in six states, and between seven and eight points in three states.

In two states of Meghalaya and Tripura, the index decreased by three and four points respectively, while in three states of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Manipur the index remain constant.

Haryana and Punjab with 446 points topped the index table, whereas Manipur was at the bottom with the index level of 367 points.

The Consumer Price Index Number of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers registered the highest increase of nine and eight points respectively due to increase in the prices of rice, wheat atta, milk, mustard oil, vanaspati, vegetables and fruits and firewood.

On the other hand, the indices in respect of Tripura registered the highest fall of five and four points respectively for Agriculture Labourers and Rural Labourers due to decrease in the price of rice, moong dal, poultry, fish fresh, eggs, onions, chillies dry, vegetables and fruits, gur and pan leaf.

The point-to-point rate of inflation based on the CPI-AL and CPI-RL increased from 5.63 per cent and 5.88 per cent during January 2008 to 6.38 per cent and 6.11 per cent respectively in February 2008.

The respective rates of inflation during February 2007 were 9.80 per cent and 9.47 per cent.

UNI AS VKJ SBA HT2032