New Delhi: Decline in prices of primary articles and
manufactured products were primarily responsible for bringing
down the annual rate of inflation to 6.5 per cent for
the week ended December 18. The rate of inflation has
declined for the sixth week in a row.
The
government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) took fiscal
and monetary measures which yielded results. Also softening
of crude oil prices has helped contain prices.
The
inflation rate has been declining since November 6 when
it touched 7.76 per cent. It remained stable for two weeks
at 7.34 per cent before sliding to 7.3 per cent The fall
has continued with the rate of inflation dropping to 6.5
per cent for the latest reporting week.
The
wholesale price index (WPI) declined by 0.1 per cent to
188.5 points with the indices of primary articles and
manufactured products going down. It was at 177 points
a year ago.
The
index of primary articles'' group fell marginally by 0.1
per cent to 185.8 points due to cheaper food items. The
index was 180.7 points in the previous year period.
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