Retail inflation picks up

Increasing prices of fuel, cereal, clothing, footwear and depreciation of rupee has led to India's retail inflation rate pick up from 3.69 per cent in August to 3.77 per cent in September, 2018. Despite the increase, the inflation rate remains within the 4 per cent target of the Reserve Bank of India. The inflation rate was 3.28 per cent in September 2017.

According to the latest data provided by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the inflation rate in the rural area was 3.34 per cent while in urban areas it was 4.31. The price data were collected from selected towns and villages.

While the prices of food and beverages particularly meat and fish, egg, fruits and vegetables, pulses, sugar and confectionaries dropped marginally in September compared to August, the cost of cereals, milk and related products, spices, non alcoholic beverage, sweets and snacks went up. There was also increase in the costs of pan, tobacco and intoxicants, clothing, footwear, fuel and light.