Controlling inflation will depend on monsoon, vegetable prices

In July, monsoon rains were almost 13% more than normal across India. In the entire monsoon season between June 1 and August 7, rainfall across India has been 2% above normal

Food prices have increased in the past few weeks, mainly due to tomatoes and other vegetables. Wheat, rice, edible oils and even some common spices have become expensive too.

The central government first imposed stock limits on pulses (arhar and urad) and then on wheat to tame prices. It then banned the export of non-basmati rice, allowed tomatoes to be imported from Bhutan, sold tomatoes through state agencies, extended the period of imported pulses, and banned exports of rice bran oil cake.

Some of these measures were on expected lines and others draconian, according to traders. With five state elections