CPI inflation jumps to 8-month high of 7.34 per cent in September

Amid the continuing rise in food prices, the inflation based on the consumer price index (CPI) jumped to an eight-month high of 7.34 per cent in September. The retail inflation had stood at 6.69 per cent in August, while it was 3.99 per cent in September last year. This inflation level is the highest recorded since January and is well beyond the target of RBI of 2-6 per cent.

National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation in its data has shown that the rural CPI (general) in September stood at 7.43 per cent as against 6.66 per cent in August. The urban CPI (general) stood at 7.26 per cent in September as against 6.80 per cent in August.

The inflation rate of food basket stood at 10.68 per cent in September as compared to 9.05 per cent in August. The data indicated that the Rural Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) stood at 10.60 per cent in September as compared to 9.11 per cent in August. The urban CFPI stood at 10.94 per cent in September as against 8.82 per cent in August.

Besides, the inflation in the vegetable segment was 20.73 per cent in September, way up from 11.41 per cent in the preceding month. The rate of price increase in fruits was also high as compared to August. Further, the data showed that the rate of price jump in the protein-rich eggs stood at 15.47 per cent in September as compared to 10.11 per cent, a month before that.