New Delhi [India], Mar. 15 : Retail inflation rose to a four-month high of 3.65 per cent in February this year, mainly due to an increase in the prices of food items.

Inflation measured in terms of the Consumer Price Index had stood at 3.17 per cent in January this year. Retail inflation was 5.26 per cent in February last year.

According to data released by the Central Statistics Office, retail inflation in food items rose to 2.01 per cent in February, from 0.61 per cent in January.

But prices of vegetables declined by 8.29 percent and of pulses by 9.02 per cent.

The increase in prices may weaken the case for an immediate interest rate cut by the RBI, which had kept lending rates unchanged at the last review in February, citing risks to inflation. (ANI)