CPI for agricultural labourers dip marginally to 12.89 per cent; CPI-RL static at 12.67 per cent

The consumer price index for agricultural labourers  (CPI-AL) decreased from 12.90 per cent in July 2009 to 12.89 per cent in August 2009  while it remained constant at 12.67 per cent for rural labourers (CPI-RL) during August 2009.  The rates of inflation during August 2008 was 10.29 per cent each for both the series.
 
The all-India consumer price index numbers for agricultural labourers and rural labourers (Base: 1986-87=100) for August 2009 increased by 9 points each to 508 points for agricultural labourers and to 507 points for rural labourers.

The rise in index varied from state to state. In case of agricultural labourers, five states reflected an increase in index between 15 and 19 points;  eight states between 9 and 14 points and six states between three and eight points while the index of one state remained constant. 

Punjab with 558 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh with the index level of  437 points stood at the bottom.

In the case of rural labourers, the increase in the index ranged between 15 and 19 points in four states, between nine and 14 points in nine states and between three and eight points in six states while the index of one state remained constant.

Punjab with 554 points topped the index table whereas Manipur with the index level of 439 points stood at the bottom.

The consumer price index numbers of Rajas than for agricultural laborers and rural laborers registered the highest increase of 19 points each, mainly due to increase in the prices of wheat attar,  jowar, pulses, milk, ghee, onion, turmeric, vegetables and fruits, sugar, gur, tea leaf, bidi, firewood, leather/plastic shoes and anacin.