Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – March, 2018

The maximum pressure to the change in current index came from Food group contributing (-) 0.25 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Wheat, Arhar Dal, Eggs (Hen), Poultry (Chicken), Onion, Tamarind, Coconut, Tomato, Sugar, Cooking Gas, Fire Wood, Flowers/Flower Garlands, etc. are responsible for the decrease in index. However, this decrease was checked by Rice, Fish Fresh, Apple, Bitter Gourd, Brinjal, French Bean, Lady Finger, Lemon, Parval, Peas, Potato, Radish, Doctor’s Fee, Bus Fare, etc., putting upward pressure on the index.

The year-on-year inflation based on CPI-IW stood at 4.36 per cent for March, 2018 as compared to 4.74 per cent for the previous month and 2.61 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 1.68 per cent against 2.36 per cent of the previous month and 1.71 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.

At centre level, Goa reported the maximum increase of 5 points followed by Jalpaiguri and Howrah (4 points each). Among others, 3 points increase was observed in 4 centres, 2 points in 7 centres and 1 point in 14 centres. On the contrary, Kodarma recorded a maximum decrease of 8 points followed by Nasik (5 points) and Tiruchirapally and Chennai (4 points each). Among others, 3 points decrease was observed in 4 centres, 2 points in another 4 centres and 1 point in 17 centres. Rest of the 21 centres’ indices remained stationary.

The indices of 37 centres are above All-India Index and 38 centres’ indices are below national average. The index of Mumbai, Chandigarh and Jabalpur centres remained at par with All-India Index.

The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of April, 2018 will be released on Thursday, 31^st May, 2018. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureaunew.gov.in .