The central government has decided to move to the monthly reporting of inflation data instead of releasing inflation data based on wholesale price index (WPI) every week.

Nelam Kapur, the government's spokeswoman said that the government will discontinue its practice of weekly releasing the data. It is know when the government will move to the new cycle of releasing inflation data.

According to a report in the Business Standard newspaper, a group of ministers in charge of economic affairs have given in-principle approval for moving to the monthly release system. The move is aimed at avoiding speculative movement in prices and providing a holistic inflation picture.

The data released by the government every week is based on the WPI and shows price rise for food articles, primary articles, fuel and power. The government used to release the data on a weekly basis until October 2010, after which it started releasing the data both on weekly and monthly basis.

Meanwhile, the government will release the inflation for the week till January 14 on Friday, a day later than usual on account of the holiday on 26 January for the Republic day celebrations.