Consumer price inflation for agricultural and rural labourers down in August

The consumer price inflation rate based on the consumer price index for agricultural and rural labourers decreased from 11.02 per cent and 11.24 per cent, respectively, in July 2010 to 9.65 per cent and 9.66 per cent in August 2010. 

The rate of inflation based on the CPI-AL and CPI-RL inflation during August 2009 were 12.89 per cent and 12.67 per cent, respectively.

The all-India consumer price index numbers for agricultural and rural labourers (Base: 1986-87=100), however, increased by 3 and 2 points, respectively, in August 2010 to 557 points for agricultural labourers and 556 points for rural labourers.

The rise/fall in index varied from state to state. In case of agricultural labourers, it recorded an increase between 1 and 11 points in 16 states and a decrease of 2 and 3 points in 3 states. It, however, remained stationary in one state.

Haryana with 627 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh with the index level of 484 points stood at the bottom.

The index for rural labourers recorded increases between 1 and 11 points in 16 states and showed decreases between 1 and 3 points in four states. Haryana with 624 points topped the index table whereas Tripura with the index level of 484 points stood at the bottom.

The consumer price index numbers for agricultural labourers in Assam and Manipur and for rural labourers in Assam, Haryana, Karnataka and Manipur registered the maximum increase of 11 points each, mainly due to increase in the prices of rice, wheat atta, jowar, groundnut oil, fish fresh/dry, milk, onion, chillies green/dry, tea leaf, tea readymade, firewood and kerosene oil.

On the other hand, the consumer price index numbers for agricultural labourers and rural labourers in respect of Jammu & Kashmir decreased by 3 points each mainly due to decrease in the prices of rice, wheat atta, mustard oil, goat meat and firewood.