New Delhi, Jan 21 - India's annual food inflation based on the wholesale price index dropped marginally to 16.81 percent for the week ended Jan 9 from 17.28 percent the week before, according to official statistics released Thursday.

Some essential items still remain costly, with potatoes dearer by 49.31 percent, pulses by 47.9 percent, and onions by 15.26 percent over a 52-week period.

The limited data on the wholesale index released by the commerce and industry ministry further showed that while primary articles became costlier by 13.93 percent, that of fuels rose 6.34 percent.

The price rise of some essential food items over the 52-week period are:

- Potatoes: 49.31 percent

- Pulses: 47.9 percent

- Onions: 15.26 percent

- Cereals: 14.77 percent

- Rice: 12.64 percent

- Milk: 13.95 percent

- Wheat: 14.47 percent

- Vegetables: 7.95 percent

- Fruits: 3.73 percent

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had Wednesday said high inflation was a matter of concern and that the government was monitoring the price situation.

Elaborating on the measures taken to keep prices under control, Mukherjee said the state-owned Food Corp of India had started distributing wheat and rice to states through an open markets sale scheme. "It is being done and is under constant review."

Incidentally, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar had Jan 13 said that the soaring prices of essential commodities would start coming down in 8-10 days.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is slated to discuss the issue with the chief ministers here Jan 27.

India's annual rate of inflation, based on wholesale prices index, had increased sharply to 7.31 percent in December from 4.78 percent in the previous month mainly on account of increasing food prices, which rose 19.17 percent. (IANS)