Smartphones, laptops may enter new IIP, chocolates, guitars likely in WPI

Both data series to be updated to 2011-12 base year; cathode ray TVs are now passe

New-age items such as smartphones, laptops and tablets are likely to enter into the new series of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) to be launched on Friday. Similarly, chocolates, noodles, harmonium, guitars, cricket bats and balls may be included in the new Wholesale Price Index (WPI).

Both the indices will have a new base year of 2011-12 against the current 2004-05 to bring them at par with other macro economic data such as gross domestic product and the consumer price index.

Also, games and toys may be made a separate category in WPI, under which items such as dolls, cycle, carrom