Consumer price inflation for industrial workers unchanged at 14.86 per cent in March

Consumer price inflation based on the all-India consumer price index numbers for industrial workers stood at 14.86 per cent in March, unchanged from the level in the previous month (February 2010).

The all-India consumer price index number for industrial workers (CPI-IW) with base 2001=100 in March remained unchanged at the February 2010 level of 170, a government release said.

During March 2010, the index recorded a decrease of 4 points each in Tiruchirapally, Giridih and Sholapur centres; 3 points each in Coimbatore, Quilon, Madurai, Kodarma and Yamunanagar centres; 2 points in 12 centres and 1 point in 22 centres.

The index increased by 4 points in Ludhiana centre, 2 points in Jamshedpur centre and 1 point in 10 centres while in the remaining 24 centres the index remained stationary.

The maximum decrease of 4 points each in Tiruchirapally, Giridih and Sholapur centres was mainly on account of decrease in the prices of rice, arhar dal, masur dal, onion, vegetable and fruit items, sugar,  etc. The decrease of 3 points each in Coimbatore, Quilon, Madurai, Kodarma and Yamunanagar centres was due to decrease in the prices of rice, wheat, arhar dal, onion, vegetable items, coconut, sugar, flower/flower garlands, etc. However, the increase of 4 points in the Ludhiana centre was mainly due to increase in the prices of wheat atta, vegetable items, petrol, etc. The increase of 2 points in Jamshedpur centre was due to increase in the prices of wheat atta, vegetable items, petrol etc.

The indices in respect of the six major centres were: Headband  164, Bangalore 175, Chennai 155, Delhi 157, Kolkata 166 and Mumbai 166.