India's annual inflation rate rises 7.31 percent in December

India's annual inflation rate rises 7.31 percent in DecemberNew Delhi, Jan 14 - India's annual rate of inflation, based on wholesale prices, rose sharply to 7.31 percent in December from 4.78 percent in the previous month, official data showed Thursday.

The annual inflation rate was 6.15 percent in December 2008.

In December, prices of food articles jumped 19.17 percent, as per data released by the commerce ministry.

During the month under review, the index for primary articles was up 1.2 percent, while that for fuel, power, light and lubricants rose 0.1 percent.

The index for manufactured products was up 0.2 percent.

The government, which has been facing criticism from all quarters mainly on the issue of soaring food prices, has called a meeting of all state chief ministers Jan 27 to discuss the issue. (IANS)