INFLATION RATE FALLS BUT CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR INDUSTRIAL WORKERS RISES

---

The rate of inflation based upon the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers witnessed a downward trend with a marginal fall of 0.24 percentage point during October 2002. It went down from 4.30 per cent in September 2002 to 4.06 per cent in October 2002. In October 2001 the inflation rate was 4.23%.

The All India Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) for October, 2002 (base 1982-100) went up by two points to stand at 487 (four hundred & eighty seven) points. The increase is mainly due to rise in prices of Rice, Wheat, Onions, Vegetables & Fruits, Kerosene oil etc. The CPI-IW during the corresponding period last year had increased by three points.

The Rise/ Fall in index varied from centre to centre. In 43 centres, the index increased between 1 to 16 points and in 5 centres it remained constant whereas in another 22 centres it recorded a decrease of 1 to 9 points when compared to the previous month.

During the month, Jabalpur centre experienced the maximum increase of 16 points. On the other hand Darjeeling centre experienced the maximum decrease of 9 points. The index remained stationery in 5 centres viz. Kodarma, Mumbai, Nasik, Ajmer and Indore.

The index in respect of six main centres for October, 2002 stood at the following level: -

1. Ahmedabad 481

2. Bangalore 457

3. Kolkata 543

4. Chennai 526

5. Delhi 563

6. Mumbai 563