Consumer price inflation for agricultural and rural labourers shows divergent trend

Consumer price inflation based on the all-India consumer price indices for agricultural and rural labourers showed a divergent trend with inflation rate for agricultural laborers decreasing to 12.64 per cent in March from 12.72 per cent in February and that for rural labourers increasing to 12.62 per cent in March from 12.52 per cent in February.

Inflation based on food index for agricultural and rural labourers stood at 13.51 per cent and 13.46 per cent, respectively, during March 2013.

The all-India consumer price index numbers for agricultural and rural labourers (Base: 1986-87=100) for March 2013 increased by 4 points each to 704 points for agricultural labourers and 705 points for rural labourers.

The rise / fall in the index varied from state to state. In case of agricultural labourers, it recorded an increase of between one and 13 points in 17 states and a decrease between one and three points in two states, whereas it remained stationary in one state.

Haryana with 775 points topped the index table, whereas Himachal Pradesh with the index level of 555 points stood at the bottom.

The index for rural labourers recorded an increase between one and 11 points in 18 states and a decrease between one and three points in two states. Haryana with 769 points topped the index table, whereas Himachal Pradesh with the index level of 582 points stood at the bottom.

Tamil Nadu recorded the maximum increase of 13 and 11 points respectively for agricultural labourers and rural labourers, mainly due to increase in the prices of jowar, bajra, ragi, ground nut oil, goat meat, fish fresh/dry, vegetables/fruits tea (beverage), pan leaf, firewood, washing soap, hair cut and washer man charges.

On the other hand, Assam registered the maximum decline of three points each for CPI-AL and CPI-RL due to decrease in the prices of rice, milk, onion, green chilies, vegetable /fruits sugar, cotton shirting cloth (mill) and hair oil.