Retail inflation continued its easing trend and slowed down to 14-month low of 4.20% in October, on the back of easing food and fuel prices. This is the third time in a row CPI eased from 4.31% in September, 5.05% in August and 6.07% in July. CPI inflation for urban sector was 2.33% in October, while for rural segment it was 3.86%. The easing in CPI data is in line with the Reserve Bank of India’s forecast for an average of 5% inflation for this financial year.
As per the data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, on Base 2012=100, index value for CPI (General) for Rural was 133.8, for Urban was 128.6 and for combined stood at 130.9 for the month of October. Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) for all India Rural, Urban and Combined for October 2016 stood at 3.86%, 2.33% and 3.32% respectively compared to 5.18%, 5.47% and 5.25% in month of October 2015.
Food inflation slowed to 3.32% in October from 3.88% in September. Inflation in vegetables category remained in the negative zone at (-) 5.74% as against (-) 7.21% in the previous month of September. Sugar and confectionery, however, became dearer by 23.62 per cent. Pulses inflation numbers come as a respite to consumers who have battled high costs, slowing down to 4.11% against 14.33%. However, eggs became more expensive by 9.42%. The index for fuel and light segment stood at 2.81 per cent in October as against 3.07% a month ago.