Consumer price inflation hits 10.1 pc

The Consumer Price Index has witness an increment of 10.1 percent in mid-February 2013 compared 7.0 percent in the same month a year ago.

According to the Nepal Rastra Bank, the index of food and beverage group increased by 10.7 percent whereas non-food and services group increased by 9.6 percent in mid–February 2013 while the same indices had increased by 4.1 percent and 9.6 percent respectively in the corresponding month of the previous year.

Region-wise, the price indices increased by 10.6 percent in the Terai followed by 10.2 percent in Kathmandu Valley, and 9 percent in the hills in the review period.

Similarly, the wholesale price index has increased by 9.5 percent during the review month compared to a rise of 4.7 percent in the corresponding month of the previous year. A higher rate of growth in prices of agricultural items and imported goods accounted for a significant rise in wholesale price inflation during the review month, said the Central Bank in a report.

Though the CPI has increased by 10.1 percent, the national salary and wage rate index increased by 8 percent during the review month compared to an increase of 30.1 percent a year ago. nepalnews.com