For the week ended Feb 13, the country's twelve-monthly food inflation based on wholesale prices dropped to 17.58% as against 17.97% in the previous week.

According to the official facts issued by the commerce and industry ministry, costs of necessary items continued to go up, with vegetables costlier by 13.57%, pulses by 35.74%, potatoes by 30.4% and fruits by 12.08% over the twelve month period.

The limited information on wholesale price index showed a reduction in the index for primary articles by 15.84%, whereas that for Fuel, Power, Light & Lubricants stayed at their previous level of 9.89%.

The country's twelve-monthly rate of inflation, based on the wholesale prices index, increased to 8.56% during the last month from 7.31% in the previous month, mainly bcause of galloping food costs.

The central bank also lifted its projected annual inflation rate at the end of this financial to 8.5% as against 6.5%.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Feb 17 announced that the steps taken by the administration to hold inflationary numbers will take some time to have their effect and that India would see a sensible inflation rate by the next two months.

The pressure of the continuing upward movement of food costs has also pulled the administration to delay a decision on a planned fuel price hike.

The price increase of some vital food items over the 52-week period pulses: 35.74%; potatoes: 30.4%, vegetables: 13.57%, wheat: 14.93%, rice: 9.5%, onions: 12.46%, milk: 14.16% and fruits: 12.08%. (With Input from Agencies)