Inflation for food articles low: FINMIN

New Delhi, Sept 14 (UNI) The government today said the rate of price rise for some of the important consumer items like foodgrains, cereals and fruits and vegetables remained low in the current year despite, the headline inflation rate hovering around 12 per cent.

''For some of the important consumer items, however, inflation in the current year remained low. The inflation for primary food articles at 4.6 per cent on August 30, 2008 was lower compared to the inflation of 7.1 per cent, a year earlier,'' the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

Also, in manufactured products, inflation for cement stood at 2.0 per cent in the current year compared to 12.9 per cent a year ago and machinery items at 5.5 per cent in the current year as against 8.7 per cent during the last year, the statement said.

The rate of inflation eased to 12.10 during the week ended August 30,2008 compared to 12.34 per cent reported a week earlier and 12.63 per cent for the week ending August 9, 2008.

The inflation rate has declined for the third week in a row.

UNI SG RP RK2005