Retail inflation for agricultural laborers and rural workers increased moderately in October to 7.08 percent and 6.92 percent, respectively, from 6.70 percent and 6.55 percent in September 2023, primarily to increasing food prices. Food inflation in October 2023 was 8.42 percent for CPI-AL and 8.18 percent for CPI-RL, compared to 8.06 percent and 7.73 percent in September 2023, and 7.05 percent and 7.00 percent in the same month the previous year.
The All India CPI-AL and CPI-RL for October 2023 both grew by 15 and 14 points, respectively, to 1,241 and 1,251 points.
The food group contributed the most to the increase in the general index of Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers, accounting for 13.20 points and 12.48 points, respectively, owing to price increases in rice, wheat atta, pulses, vegetables, milk, onion, green chillies, mixed spices, and so on.
It registered a growth of 1 to 10 points in five states, 11 to 20 points in 13 states, and more than 20 points in two states for Agricultural Labourers.
Tamil Nadu topped the index table with 1,427 points, while Himachal Pradesh was at the bottom with 960 points. In the case of Rural Laborers, we observed increases ranging from 1 to 10 points in five states, 11 to 20 points in 13 states, and more than 20 points in two states. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu led the index table with 1,415 points each, while Himachal Pradesh came last with 1,011 points.