Inflation surges to 6.68%

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) The headline inflation rate for the week ended March 15 surged to a 59-week high at 6.68 per cent, compared to its previous week's level of 5.92 per cent, on account of higher food and metal prices.

The annual inflation rate was 6.56 per cent during the corresponding week of the previous year, an official statement said.

The Finance Minister, during the week, had been reiterating the government's efforts of keeping the inflation rates under control.

The wholesale price index for 'All Commodities' for the week ended March 15, rose by 0.8 per cent to 223.6 (Provisional) from 221.8 (Provisional) for the previous week.

The index for 'Primary Articles' rose by 0.3 per cent to 230.5 (Provisional) from 229.8 (Provisional) for the previous week.

The index for 'Food Articles' group rose by 0.2 per cent to 225.9 (Provisional) from 225.4 (Provisional) for the previous week due to higher prices of fruits and vegetables, masur and barley (one per cent each).

However, the prices of bajra and urad (one per cent each) declined.

The index for 'Non-Food Articles' group rose by 0.6 per cent to 226.3 (Provisional) from 224.9 (Provisional) for the previous week due to higher prices of raw rubber and rape and mustard seed (four per cent each), linseed and raw cotton (three per cent each) and copra, cotton seed and castor seed (two per cent each).

However, the prices of sunflower (four per cent) and groundnut seed (one per cent) declined.

The index for 'Fuel, Power, Light and Lubricants' group rose by one per cent to 341.0 (Provisional) from 337.5 (Provisional) for the previous week due to higher prices of naphtha (seven per cent), furnace oil (two per cent) and electricity and light diesel oil (one per cent each).

However, the prices of bitumen (one per cent each) declined.

More UNI SR MP PM1255