May 12, 2006	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 13, 1427

ISLAMABAD, May 11: Inflation rose by 8.03 per cent during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year over the corresponding period of last year.

Figures released on Thursday by the Federal Bureau of Statistics indicated that high oil prices were mainly responsible for the inflation, besides increase in education fee, health charges, transport fares and house rent.

The inflation measured through the Consumer Price Index was up by 1.02 per cent during April 2006 against March.

However, it rose by 6.16 per cent during April over the month in the past year.

The main commodities whose prices increased in April were: onions (26.68pc); mash pulse (26.11pc); pulse moong (23.97pc); farm chicken (12.55pc); potatoes, (12.45pc); fresh fruits (11.98pc); pulse gram (8.79pc); besan (7.87pc); gur (5.77pc); tea (3.61pc); beverages (2.81pc); sugar (1.91pc); jam, tomato, pickles and vinegar (1.59pc); meat (1.38pc); milk products (1.33pc); sweetmeat and nimco (1.22pc); read food (1.18pc); fresh milk (0.89pc); and cotton cloth (1.26pc).

The price of kerosene increased by 6.76pc, firewood by 1.28pc, plastic products by 1.84pc, household equipment by 1.37pc, electric iron, fan and washing machine by 1.23pc per cent and expenses on household servants up by 1.1pc during the month under review.

The diesel price increased by 4.17pc, petrol by 2.52pc, tuition fees by 3.06pc, jewellery by 5.65pc, laundry charges by 1.35pc and doctor’s fees by 1.21pc.

The price of tomatoes decreased by 36.4pc, eggs by 7.91pc, wheat by 2.51 pc, vegetables by 1.13pc and wheat flour by 0.52pc during April 2006.