Consumer price inflation still at a high of 9.63 per cent in February

The consumer price index for industrial workers based on new series (2001=100)  remained high at 9.63 per cent in February, although lower than 10.45 per cent in the previous month, even as the wholesale price-based inflation in the country fell close to zero.

The all-India consumer price index for industrial workers (base 2001=100) for the month of  February, 2009 remained stationary at 148.

''The point to point rate of inflation for the month of February 2009 is 9.63 per cent as compared to 10.45 per cent in January, 2009,'' a Labour Bureau release said.

The high consumer price inflation is attributed to high food prices and analysts expects it to fall after some time. The all-India consumer price index for industrial workers, on which the CPI-IW inflation is based, remained stationary at 148 points in February.

During February 2009, the index recorded a decrease of 3 points each in Mundakayam and Quilon centres, 2 points in Jamshedpur, Ernakulam, Labac-Silchar and Chennai centres and 1 point in 25 centres. The index recorded maximum increase of 5 points in Chhindwara centre, 3 points each in Guntur Asansol and Mysore centres, 2 points in 9 centres and 1 point in 12 centres, while in the remaining 22 centres the index remained stationary.

The maximum decrease of 3 points in Mundakyam centre is mainly due to decrease in the prices of rice, poultry, onion, vegetable and fruit items, pan leaf etc, in Quilon centre this decrease is due to fish, onion vegetable and fruits. The decrease of 2 points each in Jamshedpur, Ernakulam, Labac-Silchar and Chennai centres is due to lower prices of rice, edible oils, onion, vegetable and fruits, coking gas, petrol etc. The increase of 5 points in Chhindwara centre is due to rice, wheat, arhar dal, sugar, tea leaf, clothing (synthetic), bus fare, toilet soap, detergent powder, stationery, ornaments glass etc. The increase of 3 points in Guntur centre is due to rice, onion, cigarettes etc,  in Asansol centre it is due to wheat atta, arhar dal, goat meat, fish, cow milk, potato, sugar, tea leaf, washing soap etc, while in Mysore centre it is due to rice, arhar dal, goat meat, tea leaf, coffee powder, tea (readymade), hot drink (coffee), firewood, silk saree etc.

The CPI-IW for March, 2009 will be released on the last working day of the next month, i.e. 30 April, 2009.