India's retail inflation edges up to 4.45 per cent in July
New Delhi, Aug 12
India's retail inflation, based on the new Consumer Price Index series, edged up to 4.45 per cent in July, compared to the same month of the previous year, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics on Wednesday.
The commodities that posted the highest inflation during the month were silver jewellery, which saw a 109.84 per cent jump in prices and gold jewellery, which clocked a 32.98 per cent increase in prices.
Overall food inflation in July stood at 5.52 per cent as the prices of potato plummeted by as much as (-)16.56 per cent during the month while ladies' fingers, peas, and tomatoes turned cheaper by about (-) 5 per cent. However, the prices of ginger, garlic and onions shot up during the month, the figures showed.
Among the other goods which turned cheaper during June were cars, which registered a (-) 6.72 per cent decline in prices.
The year-on-year housing inflation rate for the month stood at 2.22 per cent.
Sequentially, the inflation rate in July has moved up from 4.38 per cent in the previous month of June.
The CPI inflation is well within the RBI safe zone, which has 4 per cent as the midpoint. The tolerance zone of the RBI ranges from 2 per cent to 6 per cent. The RBI's monetary policy aims to keep inflation within this zone as it balances its objective of promoting economic growth with stability.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said last week, after the announcement of the monetary policy review, that headline inflation has moved above target mainly because of higher fuel prices, while broader price pressures remain in check. The RBI maintained a status quo on the repo rate to push growth.
The central bank cut its forecast for average inflation in the current financial year to 5 per cent from the 5.1 per cent it projected in June. The forecast for core inflation, which excludes food and fuel, was cut more steeply to 4.3 per cent from 4.7 per cent earlier.
The RBI has also upped its growth forecast to 6.7 per cent from 6.6 per cent, reflecting confidence in the economy's resilience despite a mixed flow of incoming data.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally some relief on vegetables – potato down 16%, tomatoes cheaper! But garlic and onion shooting up? My whole kitchen budget is a rollercoaster every month. At least cars got cheaper, though I can't afford one anyway. 🙃
Interesting to see India's inflation data from outside. The RBI's 2-6% tolerance band seems quite wide compared to other central banks, but it does give room for growth targeting. The core inflation cut to 4.3% suggests underlying pressures are manageable. Good balance for a developing economy.
With all due respect to RBI, why is housing inflation only 2.22%? Have they seen the rent prices in Mumbai or Bangalore? My rent has gone up 10% in a year. And silver jumping 110% - that's not inflation, that's speculation. Common man can't even save for retirement!
Good to see RBI keeping rates steady to support growth. Lower core inflation is a positive sign. But 5% average inflation forecast for the year still feels high for daily wage earners. Hope the monsoon plays along and food prices stay stable in the coming months. 🤞
As someone tracking emerging markets, India's inflation management is actually commendable. Keeping CPI around 4.4% while growing at 6.7% is a tough balancing act many countries would envy. The food inflation volatility is a structural challenge, but the trajectory looks promising.
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