Inflation to ease to 5-6 pct by Dec-official

NEW DELHI: Inflation is expected to ease to 5-6 percent by December, Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrasekhar told Reuters on Friday.

Annual headline inflation had quickened to 10.55 percent in June, holding in double digits for the fifth straight month and cementing expectations the central bank will raise interest rates for a second time this month to contain surging prices.

The Reserve Bank of India is widely expected to raise rates by another 25 basis points at a policy review on July 27.