Retail inflation, which is measured by the Consumer Price Index, rose to 6.3% in May from 4.23% in April as food prices went up, government data showed on Monday. The CPI inflation has breached the Reserve Bank of India’s upper limit for the first time in six months, reported the Hindustan Times.
Inflation in food and beverages was at 5.01% in May compared with 1.96% in April. While vegetable prices dropped nearly 2% in May compared to the same period last year, inflation for fruits shot up nearly 12%. Inflation for eggs rose 15%, and oil and fats nearly 31%. Inflation for pulses and other related products rose 9.4%.
Besides this, the inflation in the “fuel and light” category remained high at 11.6% in May, as per the data by the National Statistical Office.
The surge in inflation will add pressure on the central bank to keep prices under control. Earlier this month, the RBI had projected retail inflation at 5.1% for the current fiscal while slashing the growth forecast to 9.5% from 10.5%.
Earlier in the day, the wholesale price-based inflation touched a record high of 12.94% in May, driven largely by the fuel and power segment, which reported a 37.61% increase in May against 20.94% in April. This is the fifth straight month of uptick seen in the wholesale price index based inflation.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!