WPI cools to 10-month low of 2.76% in Jan on cheaper fuel

NEW DELHI: Lower inflation in fuel made India’s wholesale price inflation (WPI) cool to 2.76% in January from 3.8% in December, data released by the commerce and industry ministry on Thursday showed.

It was 3.02% in January last year.

Inflation in fuel and power rose 1.85% from 8.38% in December and that in manufactured products 2.61% in January from 3.59% in the trailing month.


“The rate of inflation based on WPI Food Index consisting of ‘Food Articles’ from Primary Articles group and ‘Food Product’ from Manufactured Products group increased from 0.07% in December, 2018 to 1.84% in January, 2019,” the ministry said in an official release.

The government also revised the November WPI downwards to 4.47% from 4.64% earlier.

Inflation in cereals, wheat and pulses increased 7.95%, 9.94% and 7.55%, respectively.

Data released on Tuesday showed a decline in India’s retail inflation to an 18-month low of 2.05% in January.