The whole sale price index based country's inflation rate, for the straight ninth week, stayed in negative territory for the week ended August 1, touching a 33- year low of  -1.74%. However, there is no respite to common man's woes as food inflation is still considerably high, making it difficult for the poor to meet the both ends.

The wholesale price index (WPI) grew 1.2 per cent for the last eight week according to the figures released by ministry of commerce and industry on Thursday. High prices of essential commodities have created sensation in political circles.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh cautioned states against further rise in food stuff prices on account of below normal monsoon in the country.

Retail inflation too surged 10 per cent in June given to the high prices of food commodities. Economists say that inflation may further rise due to failure of southwest monsoon this year which is very essential for rain dependent agriculture sector.

Kaushal Sampat Chief Operating Officer of Dun & Bradstreet, a business information provider said, "Inflation may touch 5.8% by the end of the current fiscal owing to waning base effect, increasing commodity prices, rise in food grain prices caused by delayed monsoon and expansionary fiscal policy."