In consequence of higher prices of essential food items - like cereals, pulses, sugar, milk, and vegetables – the annual inflation rate in India for the week that April 25 showed a marginal increase from the previous week’s rate of 0.57 percent to 0.7 percent.

However, despite the slight increase, the rate of inflation remained below the one percent mark for the eighth consecutive week. The below-one-percent rate of inflation began with 0.27 percent for the week that ended March 14.

As per the official, yet provisional data released by the commerce and industry ministry, the wholesale price index for the April 18-April 25 week increased by 0.2 percent – from the earlier week’s 230.2 to 230.7.  

Referring to the specific commodity groups, the index for manufactured products increased 0.3 percent; and that of primary articles increased 0.2 percent; while remaining unchanged at the 323 week-before level for fuel, power, light and lubricants.

Rise in prices of some of the essential food items during the week stood as follows: price of tea increased seven percent; that of bajra increased three percent; and arhar price rose two percent; while prices of wheat, milk, and spices increased by one percent each.