India’s consumer price inflation jumps to 2.57% in February
12 Mar 2019
Consumer price inflation in the country based on the consumer price index increased to 2.57 per cent in February 2019, after easing to a 19-month low of 1.97 per cent (revised) in January, official data released today showed.
While the consumer price inflation rate has been ruling well below the Reserve Bank of India’s medium-term inflation target for some months now, the spurt in inflation rate opens up the possibility of the RBI scrutiny before its next monetary policy meeting.
The annual rate of inflation in food prices, which account for about half of the consumer price index (CPI), also increased to (-) 0.66 per cent in February 2019 from (-) 2.17 per cent in January.
Consumer price inflation for the rural areas stood at 1.81 per cent in February 2019 against 1.29 per cent in January, and 4.45 per cent in February 2018.
Consumer price inflation for the urban areas stood at 3.43 per cent in February 2019 against 2.91 per cent in January 2019, and 4.52 per cent in February last year.
Food price inflation for rural areas stood at (-) 1.75 in February 2019 against (-) 2.80 per cent in January and 3.70per cent in February last year.
Food price inflation for urban areas stood at 1.27 in February 2019 against (-) 0.96 per cent in January 2019 and 2.45per cent in February last year.