The country's twelve-monthly food price inflation based on wholesale prices surged slightly to 17.87% for the week ended Feb 20 as against 17.58% during the previous week.

The government's verdict to increase the prices of auto fuel resulted in worries that food prices could go up further in the coming time.

Both houses of parliament saw stormy scenes as opposition parties asked for a rollback of the fuel price increases, saying they would have a cascading effect on the already lofty costs of vital commodities.

Economic experts attribute inflationary numbers to a demand-pull theory.

According to this, if there is a heavy demand for goods in all segments, it causes shortage of goods. Thus costs of commodities rise dramatically.

The other cause for rising prices is the cost-push theory. It said that labor groups also activate inflation. When wages for labourers are augmented, producers lift up the prices of goods to make up for salary increase.

The surging costs of food items, manufacturing products, and vital commodities have pushed inflation rate further in the country. (With Input from Agencies)