The CPI inflation increased by 11.34 percent in July-October (2011-12) over the same period last year on the back of rise in the prices of food and non-food commodities, according to the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS).

Secretary Statistic Division, Asif Bajwa told media at a briefing on Wednesday that CPI inflation increased by 1.4 percent in October 2011 over the previous month and 10.96 percent over the same month last year. He said the FBS collects retail and wholesale prices and computes the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Wholesale Price Index (WPI) on monthly basis and Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) on weekly basis.

The CPI, SPI and WPI for the period July-October, (2011-12) increased by 11.3 percent, 9.6 percent and 17.8 percent, over July-October (2010-11) respectively. Analysis revealed that inflation in food and beverages rose by 12.90 percentin July-October 2011-12 over the same period of last year, non-perishable food items 22.09 percent, perishable food items -5.91 percentt, alcoholic beverages & tobacco 7.14 percent, clothing & footwear 14.30 percent , housing, water, electricity and gas fuels 7.56 percent, furnishing & household equipment maintenance 13.74 percent. The price of healthcare surged by 10.94 percent, transport 14.17 percent, communication 1.59 percent, recreation and culture 5.31 percent and education 13.06 percent.

The main items, which recorded increases in their prices during the period under review include spices (40.9 percent), personal equipment (31.3 percent), vegetable ghee (31.0 percent), medical equipment (30.7 percent), cooking oil (28.3 percent), firewood (27.4 percent), gram whole (26.0 percent), kerosene oil (26.0 percent), fresh fruits (24.5 percent), blades (22.7 percent), dopatta (22.3 percent), betel leaves &, nuts (22.3 percent), rice (22.0 percent), woollen cloth (22.0 percent), milk product (21.6 percent), dry fruits (21.5 percent), motor fuel (21.1 percent), milk fresh (21.0 percent), meat (20. 5 percent), mustard oil (20.4 percent).

In October 2011, the CPI, SPI & WPI increased by 1.4 percent, 0.8 percent and 0.4 percent over September 2011 respectively. The commodities whose prices registered an increase in the month of October 2011 over previous month included tomatoes (74.99 percent), onions (25.84 percent), fresh vegetables (6.59 percent), gur (3.41 percent), fish (3.29 percent), fresh fruits (2.93 percent), beans (2.42 percent), gram whole (2.26 percent), wheat product (1.94 percent) and bakery & confectionery (1.33 percent).

Among non-food items the cost of household servant increase by (7.86 percent) in October 2011 over previous month, newspapers (5.59 percent), hosiery (3.82 percent), woollen cloth (3.78 percent), firewood whole (3.34 percent), cleaning & laundry (3.16 percent), personal care (3.11 percent), washing soap & detergent (2.53 percent), motor fuel (2.43 percent), doctor (MBBS) clinic fee (2.35 percent).

The trimmed core inflation during October 2011 was recorded 11.6 percent compared to 12.6 percent during October 2010 and non-food & non-energy core inflation during the month of October 2011 stood at 10.4 percent compared to 9.5 percent for the same period of last year during.

SOURCE: BUSINESS RECORDER