Consumer price inflation for agricultural and rural labourers down at 6.58 % / 6.53% in July

Inflation based on food index of CPI-AL and CPI-RL stood at (+) 7.83 per cent and 7.89 per cent, respectively, in July 2020.

The index numbers for agricultural and rural labourers (Base: 1986-87=100), however, increased by 3 and 4 points, respectively, as per figures released by the ministry of labour and employment.

The major contribution towards the rise in general index of agricultural labourers and rural labourers came from food, with increases of 2.49 points and 2.64 points, respectively, mainly due to a rise in the prices of arhar dal, masur dal, ground nut oil, meat goat, poultry, vegetables and fruits etc.

The rise/fall in index varied from state to state. In case of agricultural labourers, it recorded an increase of 1 to 15 points in 17 states and a decrease of 3 to 8 points in 3 states. Tamil Nadu with 1216 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh State with 786 points stood at the bottom.

In case of rural labourers, it recorded an increase of 1 to 14 points in 15 states and a decrease of 1 to 5 points in 4 states while it remained stationary in Rajasthan. Tamil Nadu with 1202 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh with 838 points stood at the bottom.

The maximum increase in the consumer price index numbers for agricultural labourers was experienced by Meghalaya (15 points) and for rural labourers by Jammu and Kashmir and Meghalaya (14 points each), mainly due to a rise in the prices of milk, meat goat, fish dry, bidi, vegetables and fruits and bus fare etc. 

On the contrary, the maximum decrease in the consumer price index numbers for agricultural labourers and rural labourers was experienced by Tripura (- 8 points and -5 points, respectively) mainly due to a fall in the prices of rice, meat goat, fish (fresh/dry) etc.