The All-India Consumer Price Index for agricultural labourers (CPIAL) and rural labourers (CPI RL) with base year 1986-87 = 100 increased by four points each during August 2007 to stand at 408 points for both the series.

The rise and fall in index varied from state to state. In case of agricultural labourers 18 states reflected an increase in indices ranging between 1 to 10 points, in one state the indices went down by 2 points while in one state the index remained constant.

In case of rural labourers, 18 states reflected an increase in indices ranging between 1 to 9 points while in one state the indices fell by two points. The indices remained constant in one state.

Bihar experienced the highest increase of 10 points and 9 points respectively for agricultural labourers and rural labourers. The rise has been mainly due to increase in the prices of rice, wheat atta, masur dal, mustard oil, onions, vegetables and fruits and Anacin. On the other hand, the index for Manipur declined by two points each for agricultural labourers and rural labourers mainly due to the decrease in the prices of rice.

Punjab with 437 points for agricultural labourers and 438 points for rural labourers figured at the top of the index table. Manipur with 360 points for agricultural labourers and 361 points for rural labourers remained at the bottom of the index.

Point to point rate of inflation based on CPI-AL increased from 8.60 per cent during July 2007 to8.80 per cent during August, 2007 and in respect of CPI-RL it went up from 8.02 per cent to 8.51 per cent during the same period. Respective rates of inflation during August 2006 were 6.53 per cent and 6.21 per cent. The all-India Consumer Price Index (General & Group-wise) has been as follows:

also see : General reports on Economy
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