Retail Inflation Falls to 6.77% In October, but Stays Above RBI’s Tolerance Level

The Consumer Price Index-based retail inflation has remained above the Reserve Bank of India’s 6% target since January this year.

New Delhi: Retail inflation dropped to 6.77% in October from 7.41% in the preceding month, mainly due to easing prices in the food basket, government data showed on Monday, November 14.

However, it remained above Reserve Bank of India’s comfort level for the 10th month in a row, the data showed.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based retail inflation has remained above the 6% target since January this year.

As per the latest data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), the inflation in the food basket was 7.01% in October as against 8.6% in September.

The retail inflation, which the RBI factors in while deciding its periodic monetary policy, was 4.48% in October 2021.

As the RBI failed to ensure inflation remains at 4% with a margin of 2% on either side for three consecutive quarters, it has sent a report to the government detailing the reasons for the failure and steps it is taking to bring CPI in the target range.

Another set of data released earlier in the day revealed that the wholesale price index (WPI)-based inflation dipped to a 19-month low of 8.39% in October on easing prices of food, fuel and manufactured items.

(PTI)