Mumbai: The annual rate of inflation based on the wholesale price index rose further to 11.98 per cent for the week ended July 19, up from 11.89 per cent during the week ended July 12, official data showed.

The inflation spiral, which has been on the rise since January this year, showed a small dip last week at 11.89 per cent, down from the previous week's 11.91 per cent. But that now seems only a small blip before it rears its head again.

The department of economic affairs, however, maintain that inflation, on a week-on-week basis, continues to be stable.

The current spike has been attributed to higher prices of pulses, fruits and spices and some manufactured products.

Prices of items under the 'primary articles' group in the wholesale price index increased to 10.24 per cent, as compared to 10.15 per cent last week, but lower than 10.84 per cent for the week ended 28 June, data showed.

Out of a total of 98 articles, 15 articles have shown a decline in prices as compared to 12 July. Another 58 articles have shown no increase in prices.

Inflation stood at 4.65 per cent in the corresponding week a year ago.

The report comes just two days after the Reserve Bank of India tightened its monetary policy by announcing a hike in its short-term lending rate, and the cash reserve ratio for banks, in bid to tame inflation riding at a 13-year high.

The RBI also said it had ''headroom" to further tighten monetary policy as it seeks to curb inflation which has emerged as a worldwide problem.