January 18, 2002

        The All-India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (Base 1986-87 = 100) during December, 2001 decreased by 1 point to stand at 312 over the previous month. The index for Rural Labourers also fell by 2 point to stand at 314.

        In case of Agricultural Labourers, the index decreased by 1 to 19 points in 14 states, but increased by 1 to 5 points in 5 states while it remained constant in one state.

        The index for Rural Labourers, also reflected a decrease between 2 to 20 points in 13 states, but increased by 1 to 5 points in 4 states, while no change in indices was registered in other three states.

        Amongst the states, Tripura experienced sharpest increase of 19 and 20 points each for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers respectively. On the other hand, Tamil Nadu in respect of Agricultural Labourers and Kerala in case Rural Labourers recorded maximum increase of 5 points each. However, Meghalaya continued to figure at the top of the index table for both Agricultural and Rural Labourers with 356 and 354 points respectively while Bihar (including Jharkhand) remained at the bottom with 296 and 298 points respectively. Himachal Pradesh also continued to be at the bottom of the index for Agricultural Labourers at 296 points.

        Point to point rate of inflation based on CPI-AL increased from 2.29% during November, 2001 to 2.97 in December 2001. In case of the CPI-RL also, the inflation rate increased to 2.61% from 2.60% in the previous month. Respective rates of inflation during December, 2000 were (-) 2.57% and (-) 1.61%.