CPI inflation up 14.08 percent in July-April

The CPI inflation swelled by 14.08 percent during July-April 2010-11 over the same period last year on the back of sharp increase in the prices of food items fuelled by higher petroleum prices and electricity tariff. Official figures of monthly CPI released by the Federal Board of Statistics (FBS) on Tuesday deepened the fear of even worse inflation in coming months because of alarmingly high Wholesale Price Index of 25.92 percent.
According to an official of the Finance Ministry, the WPI is an indicator of future inflationary trend and 25.99 percent inflation in the wholesale market is indeed a worrisome sign. Analysis of the data revealed an increase of 1.62 percent rise in monthly inflation in April 2011 over previous month with a sustained inflationary pressure in food items, both perishable and non-perishable. Officials of the FBS privately admit that since 2008, the inflationary pressure was most sustained and persistent with the least likelihood of decline in near future.
According to the FBS, CPI, SPI and WPI have increased by 13.04 percent, 16.97 percent and 25.92 percent in April 2011 over the same month of previous year and 1.62 percent, 0.55 percent and 2.26 percent over the previous month. The food inflation was recorded 17.23 percent in April 2011 over the same month of last year with 17.02 percent and 18.02 percent increase in non-perishable and perishable food items, respectively.
The cost of apparel, textile and footwear during the period under review soared by 13.19 percent, house rent ascended by 7.01 percent and price of fuel and lightening witnessed an increase of 10.28 percent. The medicare became costlier by 16.28 percent, cleaning laundry and personal appearance by 16.03 percent followed by 11.72 percent in household furniture and equipment and 9.80 percent transport and communication.
The main commodities, which showed increase in their prices during April, 2011 over March, 2011 in food & beverages were fresh fruits (21.92 percent), potatoes (11.52 percent), vegetables (6 percent), condiments (3.98 percent), betel leaves & nuts (2.95 percent), milk fresh (2.36 percent), beverages (2.28 percent), milk products (1.85 percent), spices (1.68 percent), meat (1.54 percent), tea (1.46 percent), cooking oil (1.43 percent), gram whole (1.40 percent), sweetmeat & nimco (1.22 percent) and milk powder (1.05 percent).
The price of cotton cloth increased by (3.94 percent), silk, linen, woolen/cloth (2.47 percent), hosiery (2.23 percent), readymade garments (1.85 percent), and tailoring charges (1.15 percent). Fuel & lighting: kerosene (11.32 percent). Among household items, the price of refrigerator & air-conditioner increased by (2.93 percent), iron fans & washing machine (2.37 percent), plastic products (2.13 percent), sewing machine, clock and needles (1.49 percent) suitcase (1.35 percent) and furnishing (1.29 percent).
Transport & communication: Diesel (12.86 percent), petrol (9.03 percent), port fare/charges (4.84 percent), tyre & tube (2.68 percent), service charges 1.77 percent), vehicles (1.36 percent) and CNG filling charges (1.28 percent). Education: Tuition fees (3.75 percent), stationery (2.01 percent) and textbooks (1.78 percent).
Cleaning laundry & personal appearance: Toilet soap (9.85%), jewellery (4.10 percent), watches (1.90 percent), laundry charges (1.73 percent), washing soap & detergent (1.43 percent) and shaving articles (1.08 percent).
The main commodities, which showed decrease in their prices during April, 2011 over March, 2011 are as under: Food & beverages: Eggs (15.26 percent), tomatoes (14.28 percent), onions (14.05 percent), chicken farm (5.77 percent), pulse grain (2.25 percent), wheat (1.77 percent), gur (1.45 percent), wheat flour (1.14 percent) and pulse masoor (0.98 percent).