The All-India Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers (Base: 1986-87=100) for the month of June, 2020 decreased by 1 points each to stand at 1018 (One thousand and eighteen) and 1024 (One thousand and twenty four) points respectively. The major contribution towards the fall in general index of Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers came from food, with (-) 1.82 points and (-) 1.58 points respectively, mainly due to fall in prices of rice, arhar dal, masur dal, 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 1 to 7 points in 9 States and a decrease of 1 to 19 points in 9 States while it remained stationary in 2 States viz. Manipur & Rajasthan State. Tamil Nadu State with 1214 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh State with 784 points stood at the bottom.

In case of Rural Labourers, it recorded an increase of 1 to 8 points in 9 States and a decrease of 2 to 20 points in 10 States while it remained stationary in Manipur State. Tamil Nadu State with 1199 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh State with 832 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 Orissa state ( 7 points and 8 points respectively) mainly due to rise in the prices of meat goat, fish fresh/dry, vegetables and fruits and saree cotton (mill) etc. On the contrary, the maximum decrease in the Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers was experienced by Jammu & Kashmir State (- 19 points and -20 points respectively) mainly due to fall in the prices of fruits & vegetables etc.

Point to point rate of inflation based on the CPI-AL and CPI-RL decreased to 7.16% and 7.00% in June 2020 from 8.40% and 8.12% respectively in May 2020. Inflation based on food index of CPI-AL and CPI-RL is at (+) 8.57% & (+) 8.41% respectively in June 2020.

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RCJ/SKP/IA