Labour Bureau has been compiling Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers every month on the basis of the price data collected from 600 sample villages spread over 20 States by visiting personally to the designated outlets. In view of the containment measures taken to limit the spread of COVID-19, the personal visit of the field staff was suspended w.e.f. 19^th March 2020 and prices were collected through electronic means of communication. In the month of May 2020, the price data was received from 433 villages which were collected, to the extent possible, through personal visits and telephone calls.

 

The All-India Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers (Base: 1986-87=100) for the month of May, 2020 increased by 5 points and 6 points to stand at 1019 (One thousand and nineteen) and 1025 (One thousand and twenty five) points respectively. The major contribution towards the rise in general index of Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers came from food, with (+) 4.44 points and (+) 4.70 points respectively, mainly due to rise in prices of rice, arhar dal, masur daal, ground nut oil, meat goat, poultry, vegetables and fruits etc.

 

​The rise/fall in index varied from State to State. In case of Agricultural Labourers, it recorded an increase of 2 to 19points in 14 States and a decrease of 1 to 7 points in 5 States while it remained stationary for Rajasthan State. Tamil Nadu State with 1208 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh State with 788 points stood at the bottom.

 

In case of Rural Labourers, it recorded an increase of 1 to 18 points in 15 States and a decrease of 1 to 7 points in 5 States. Tamil Nadu State with 1194 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh State with 838 points stood at the bottom.

 

Amongst states, the maximum increase in the Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers was experienced by Karnataka state (19 points and 18 points respectively) mainly due to rise in the prices of rice, jowar, ragi, meat goat, poultry, vegetables and fruits, bidi, and barber charges etc. On the contrary, the maximum decrease in the Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers was experienced by Bihar state (- 7 points each ) mainly due to fall in the prices of maize, onion, fruits & vegetables etc.

 

​Point to point rate of inflation based on the CPI-AL and CPI-RL decreased to 8.40% and 8.12% in May 2020 from 8.80% and 8.52% respectively in April 2020. Inflation based on food index of CPI-AL and CPI-RL is at (+) 10.40% & (+) 10.21% respectively in May 2020.

 

All-India Consumer Price Index Number (General & Group-wise)

 

Group	Agricultural Labourers		Rural Labourers
	Apr.,2020	May,2020	Apr.,2020	May,2020
General Index	1014	1019	1019	1025
Food	971	977	975	982
Pan, Supari, etc.	1654	1665	1666	1678
Fuel & Light	1104	1105	1099	1099
Clothing, Bedding & Footwear	1003	1003	1022	1022
Miscellaneous	1019	1020	1024	1025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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RCJ/SKP/IA

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