India's CPI stood at 7.65% in January

Provisional annual inflation rate based on all India general CPI (combined) for January 2012 on a point-to-point basis (January 2012 over January 2011) is 7.65%. The corresponding inflation rates for Rural and Urban areas are 7.38% and 8.25%, respectively. Inflation as measured by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) declined to a 26-month low of 6.55% in January. The Central Statistics Office (CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation releases Consumer Price Indices (CPI) on base 2010=100 for all-India and States/UTs separately for Rural, Urban and Combined every month with effect from January 2011. The General Indices for Rural, Urban and Combined are 115.0, 112.8 and 114.0 respectively. The annual consumer price index (CPI) data released for the first time today measures retail prices in major food groups, fuel, clothing, housing and education across rural and urban India. Provisional annual inflation rates of January 2012 for Rural, Urban and Combined in respect of ‘Food & Beverages’ stood at 4.18%, 3.98% and 4.11%, respectively, said Srikant Kumar Jena, Minister of State (Independent charge), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Vegetables were cheaper by over 24 per cent on a nationwide basis in January over the same month last year. Milk & Milk products turned dearer by 16.53% on an annual basis, while the price of Oils and Fats rose by 13.47%. Condiments and Spices turned costlier by 11.83% and Fruits by 10.62%. The inflation numbers for Fuel & Light, Clothing, Bedding and Footwear segments were in double-digits.