New Delhi, Sept 28: Steep hike in prices of fruits and vegetables and a marginal price rise in edible oil and food products pushed up inflation for third consecutive week to 4.35 per cent for the period ended September 13. The point-to-point wholesale price index (WPI) inflation rose by 0.06 per cent from the previous week's level of 4.29 per cent and it was 3.97 per cent in the year ago period.
WPI rose by 0.1 per cent to 175 points even as prices of fuels and manufactured products remained unchanged during the latest reported week. The index was 167.7 points a year ago.
Inflation for the week ended July 19 was revised upwards to 4.65 per cent as against the provisional level of 4.59 per cent, while final WPI stood at 173.4 points as compared to the provisional figure of 173.3 points.
With food articles and minerals turning costlier, index of primary articles' group rose substantially by 0.4 per cent to 180.7 points. The index was 176.8 points in the previous year period.
Fuel, power, light and lubricants' group index stood firm at the previous week's level of 252.9 points, notwithstanding that the Opec oil cartel shocked international oil markets by signaling a cut in production, sending prices surging as Iraq returned to the table for the first time since the us-led war to topple Saddam Hussein. The index was 238.3 points in the previous year.
The heavy-weighted index of manufactured products' group remained unchanged for the second consecutive week at 155.7 points despite costlier food products, textiles, leather and non-metallic mineral products and the index was 148.8 points in the previous year period.
Breau Report