Inflation as measured by wholesale price index (WPI) quickened sharply to 2.03 per cent in January compared with 1.22 per cent in December on the back of higher fuel prices, data released by Ministry of Commerce & Industry showed. “The rate of inflation, based on monthly WPI, stood at (2.03 per cent) (provisional) for the month of January, 2021 (over January, 2020) as compared to 3.52 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year,” Ministry of Commerce & Industry said in a statement.
The government meanwhile revised WPI inflation for December to 2.29 per cent from provisional figure of 2.76 per cent.
The index of primary articles declined by 1.77 per cent while prices of crude petroleum & natural gas increased by 9.48 per cent and minerals by 2.67 per cent in January, 2021 as compared to December, 2020, Ministry of Commerce said.
The index of fuel & power group increased by 5.84 per cent and manufactured products index increased by 1.54 per cent.