Consumer price inflation for agricultural and rural labourers up at 8.38% and 8.51% in March

Consumer price inflation based on the all-India consumer price index numbers for agricultural and rural labourers stood higher at 8.38 per cent and 8.51 per cent, respectively, in March 2014 against 8.14 per cent and 8.27 per cent in February 2014.

Inflation based on food index of CPI-AL and CPI-RL stood at 7.55 per cent and 7.53 per cent, respectively, during March2014.

The all-India consumer price index numbers for agricultural and rural labourers (Base: 1986-87=100) increased by 6 points each in March 2014.

The rise / fall in index varied from state to state. In case of agricultural labourers, it recorded an increase between 1 and 17 points in 19 states and a decrease of 4 points in one state. 

Haryana with 847 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh with the index level of 629 points stood at the bottom.

In case of rural labourers, it recorded an increase between 1 and 15 points in 19 states and a decrease of 4 points in one state.

Here again, Haryana with 840 points topped the index table and Himachal Pradesh with the index level of 663 points stood at the bottom.

The consumer price index numbers for agricultural and rural labourers in respect of Tripura registered the maximum increase of 17 points and 15 points, respectively, mainly due to increase in the prices of pulses, mustard oil, fish fresh / dry, eggs, milk, mixed spices, vegetables and fruits, sugar, supari, dhoti cotton mill, saree cotton mill and barber charges.

On the other hand, the consumer price index numbers for agricultural and rural labourers in respect of Orissa registered a decrease of 4 points each, mainly due to decrease in the prices of chira, chillies green, vegtable and fruits, pan leaf and Aspro.