The all-India consumer price index for agricultural labourers (Base: 1986-87=100) for April 2008 shows an increase by 6 points each to stand at 429 points.

Agricultural labourers: The rise in index varied from state to state.  In the case of agricultural labourers, seven states reflected an increase in index ranging between 7 and 11 points; in 10 states between 3 and 6 points while  in three states between 1 and 2 points. Punjab with 465 points topped the index table whereas Manipur was at the bottom with the index level of  374 points.

Rural labourers: In the case of rural labourers, in nine states, the index ranged  between 7 and  10  points, in 10 states between 3and 6 points in seven states and between 1 and 2 points in three states.  Punjab with 464 points topped the index table whereas Manipur was at the bottom with the index level of 374 points.

The consumer price index for Punjab for both agricultural labourers and rural labourers registered the highest increase of 11 and 10 points respectively mainly due to increase in the prices of rice, wheat, atta, masur dal, milk, vegetables and fruits, gur, bidi, cigarette, country liquor, firewood and shirting cloth.  No state has, however, experienced a decrease in the index during April 2008.

Point to point rate of inflation based on the CPI-AL and CPI-RL increased from 7.91 per cent and 7.63 per cent during March 2008 to 8.88 per cent and 8.61 per cent respectively in April, 2008.  Respective rates of inflation during April 2007 were 9.44 per cent and 9.12 per cent.

The All-India Consumer Price Index Numbers (General & Group-wise)