Consumer price inflation for agricultural and rural workers eases a bit

Inflation based on food index of CPI-AL and CPI-RL stood at 7.65 per cent and 7.61 per cent, respectively, in September 2020.

The major contribution towards the rise in general inflation rate for agricultural and rural Labourers came from food, with 9.20 points and 8.95 points, respectively, mainly due to rise in prices of arhar dal, masur dal, groundnut oil, mustard oil,  vegetables and fruits etc.

The rise in index varied from state to state. In case of agricultural labourers, it recorded an increase of 1 to 23 points in 20 states. Tamil Nadu with 1,234 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh with 816 points stood at the bottom.

In case of rural labourers, it recorded an increase of 2 to 20 points in 20 states. Tamil Nadu with 1,218 points again topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh with 863 points stood at the bottom.

Amongst states, the maximum increase in the consumer price inflation rate for agricultural labourers was experienced by Himachal Pradesh (+23 points) and for rural labourers, it was experienced by Jammu & Kashmir (+20 points) mainly due to rise in the prices of wheat-atta, pulses, mustard-oil, milk, onion, chillies-dry, garlic, ginger, barber charges, bus fare, vegetables and fruits etc.

“The easing of inflation successively for eight months will definitely improve income of millions of workers in rural areas by putting lesser burden on their daily budgetary requirement,” Santosh Gangwar, minister of state for labour and employment, said.

DPS Negi, director-general of Labour Bureau, while releasing the index said he “Appreciated the efforts put in by the officials in collecting, compiling and disseminating price index despite of the unfavorable situation prevailing in the country owing to Covid-19 pandemic.”