Retail inflation rises in February

New Delhi: RETAIL inflation for farm workers and rural labourers rose to 2.67 per cent and 2.76 per cent in February against 2.17 per cent and 2.35 per cent respectively in January, 2021. Inflation based on food index of CPI-AL and CPI-RL is at 1.55 per cent and 1.85 per cent respectively in February 2021, a labour ministry statement said. The All-India Consumer Price Index Numbers for agricultural labourers and rural labourers for the month of February 2021 decreased by 1 point each to stand at 1,037 and 1,044 points respectively, compared to January. The CPI-AL was at 1,010 and CPI-RL at 1016 in February 2020. The major contribution towards the fall in general index of agricultural labourers and rural labourers came from food with (-) 2.94 points and (-) 2.54 points respectively, mainly due to fall in prices of wheat atta, gur, potato, cauliflower etc, the statement said. The fall/rise in index varied from State to State.

In case of agricultural labourers, it recorded a decrease of 1 to 20 points in 10 States and an increase of 1 to 11 points in 8 States whereas index of 2 States remained stationary. Tamil Nadu State with 1,252 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh State with 818 points stood at the bottom. In case of Rural Labourers, it recorded a decrease of 1 to 19 points in 10 States and an increase of 1 to 11 points in 9 States whereas index of Odisha State remained stationary.

Tamil Nadu State with 1,237 points topped the index table whereas Bihar State with 842 points stood at the bottom. Amongst states, the maximum decrease in the Consumer Price Index Numbers for agricultural labourers and rural labourers was experienced by West Bengal State (-20 points and - 19 points respectively) mainly due to fall in the prices of wheat atta, chillies green, vegetables and fruits and firewood etc.