WPI inflation in double -digit
The annual rate of inflation, based on monthly WPI, stood at 9.89% for
the month of February 2010 as compared to 8.56 % for the previous month
and 3.50% during the corresponding month of the previous year. Build up
inflation in the financial year so far stood at 9.60% compared to a
build up of 0.93% in the corresponding period of the previous year.
The index for primary articles group remained unchanged at its previous
month's level of 284.7. The index for 'Food Articles' group declined by
0.1 % to 286.1 from 286.4 for the previous month due to lower prices of
tea (9%), arhar (7%), urad (6%), gram, masur and eggs (4% each), fruits
& vegetables (2%) and fish-inland, maize, barley and ragi (1%
each). However, the prices of fish-marine (5%), poultry chicken (4%),
coffee (3%), pork and moong (2% each) and wheat, jowar and milk (1%
each) moved up.
The index for 'Non-Food Articles' group rose by 0.1 % to 256.5 from
256.3 for the previous month due to higher prices of coir fibre (41%),
gingelly seed (9%), mesta (8%), sunflower and niger seed (4% each),
copra, raw jute and fodder (2% each) and groundnut seed (1%). However,
the prices of logs & timber (7%), tobacco (4%), skins (raw) (3%),
raw cotton and rape & mustard seed (2% each) and linseed and
soyabean (1% each) declined.
The index for 'Minerals' group rose by 0.8 % to 596.3 from 591.6 for
the previous month due to higher prices of barytes, iron ore, asbestos
and steatite (1% each). However, the prices of magnesite (10%) and
felspar (1%) declined.
The index for fuel and power group rose by 1.5 % to 356.9 from 351.5
for the previous month due to higher prices of non-coking coal (12%),
coking coal (9%), high speed diesel oil and petrol (2% each) and light
diesel oil, naphtha and furnace oil (1% each). However, the prices of
bitumen (3%) and aviation turbine fuel (1%) declined. The index for
manufactured group rose by 0.6 % to 214.3 from 213.0 for the previous
month. The index for 'Food Products' group rose by 1.0 % to 260.0 from
257.4 for the previous month due to higher prices of khandsari (6%),
sugar (5%), bran (all kinds) (2%) and imported edible oil, skimmed milk
powder, ghee, gur and salt (1% each). However, the prices of rice bran
oil (8%), atta (4 %), oil cakes, cotton seed oil, coconut oil and rape
& mustard oil (2% each) declined.
The index for 'Beverages Tobacco & Tobacco Products' group rose by
0.4 % to 312.3 from 311.0 for the previous month due to higher prices
of soft drinks (all kinds) (3%), potable country liquor (2%) and
cigarettes (1%).
The index for 'Textiles' group rose by 0.9 % to 154.6 from 153.2 for
the previous month due to higher prices of cotton yarn-cones (3%) and
hessian & sacking bags, polyester staple fibre, nylon filament
yarn, cotton yarn-hanks, miscellaneous cotton cloth and synthetic yarn
(1% each).
The index for 'Leather & Leather Products' group declined by 0.8 %
to 164.4 from 165.8 (Provisional) for the previous month due to lower
prices of footwear western type (1%).
The index for 'Rubber & Plastic Products' group rose by 3.1 % to
174.9 from 169.7 for the previous month due to higher prices of plastic
items (28%), cycle tubes (9%), cycle tyres (6%), tractor tyres (4%),
giant tyres (3%) and pvc fitting & accessories (2%). However, the
prices of decorative laminates (1%) declined.
The index for 'Chemicals & Chemical Products' group rose by 0.3 %
to 231.1 from 230.5 for the previous month due to higher prices of acid
(all kinds) (17%), liquid oral other than vitamins (8%), epoxy resins
and safety matches (7% each), printing ink (6%), titanium dioxide and
polystyrene (5% each), synthetic detergent and benzene (3% each), hair
oil, varnishes and p.v.c. resins (2% each) and sulphamethoxozole, bopp
film and ayurvedic medicine liquids (1% each). However, the prices of
liquid chlorine (17%), soda ash and caustic soda (9% each), methanol (7
%), calcium ammonium nitrate n-content and syrup (6% each), blasting
powder (3%) and complex fertilizers-npk content, complex fertilizer
n_content, antibiotics, oxygen gas in cylinder and carbon black (1%
each) declined.
The index for 'Non-Metallic Mineral Products' group rose by 1.4 % to
214.9 from 212.0 for the previous month due to higher prices of cement
(2%). However, the prices of ceramic tiles (2%) and building bricks
(1%) declined. The index for 'Basic Metals Alloys & Metal Products'
group rose by 0.8 % to 261.7 from 259.7 for the previous month due to
higher prices of aluminium extrusion (15%), aluminium ingots (13%),
brass sheets & strips and other aluminium material (7% each),
foundry pig iron, basic pig iron and aluminium rolled products (6%
each). However, the prices of steel ingots (9%), zinc ingots and lead
ingots (7% each), other iron steel (5%) and ms bars & rounds and
zinc (3% each) declined.
The index for 'Machinery & Machine Tools' group declined by 0.6 %
to 172.8 from 173.8 for the previous month due to lower prices of
p.v.c. insulated cables (45%), mono block pumps and power capacitors
(2% each) and picture tubes (colour) (1%). However, the prices of
furnaces (17%), switch gears and boilers - its parts & accessories
(13% each), other electrical equipment & systems and powerlooms
automatic (5% each), complete tractors and ring spinning & doubling
frames (3% each), ceiling fans and enamelled copper wires (2% each) and
other pumps (1%) moved up.
