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ISLAMABAD, Sept 12: Inflation (Consumer Price Index) moved up by 1.58 per cent during the period July-August 2003 as compared to the corresponding period of previous year, according to a monthly review of price indices released by the Federal Bureau of Statistics here on Friday.
The same period saw an increase of 1.87 per cent in Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) and of 3.58 per cent in Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
During August 2003, CPI rose by 1.76pc, SPI by 1.67pc and WPI by 3.31pc, over corresponding period of 2002.
As compared to July 2003, the increases in the three indices in August 2003 were as follows: CPI 0.66pc; SPI 0.70pc; and WPI 1.11pc. CPI at the end of August 2003 stood at 108.24pc, denoting an increase of 8.24pc under the new index that uses 2000-01 as the base year.
Analyzed on the basis of 10 groups of commodities forming the CPI basket, the “food and beverages” group increased in August the most — by 1.15pc over preceding month (July 2003). This was followed by “fuel and lighting” which rose by 0.69pc.
CPI for other groups spiralled as follows: Apparel, textile and footwear 0.02pc; house rent 0.45pc; household, furniture and equipment, etc., 0.16pc; transport and communication 0.49pc; education 0.08pc; cleaning, laundry and personal appearance 0.03pc; and Medicare 0.03pc.
The group “recreation and entertainment” registered a decline in CPI by 0.03pc.
According to the FBS figures, the cost of education registered the highest increase of 4.94pc in August as compared to the same month of previous year. The “apparel, textile and footwear” underwent the next highest increase of 4.19pc.
The main commodities which became dearer during August 2003, over July 2003 are as under:
FOOD AND BEVERAGES: Tomatoes (30.52pc), onions (24.58pc), betel leaves and nuts (8.47pc), vegetables (6.41pc), eggs (5.77pc), pulse mash (2.72pc), wheat (2.28pc), wheat flour (2.22pc), sweet meat and nimco (2.05pc), pulse masoor (1.74pc), honey (1.09pc) and milk powder (1.03pc).
FUEL AND LIGHTING: Kerosene (5.60pc) and natural gas (1.80pc).
TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION: Diesel (6.39pc).
The main commodities that showed a decrease in their prices in August 2003, as compared to July 2003 are as under:
FOOD AND BEVERAGES: Chicken farm (3.44pc), besan (1.75pc), sugar (0.98pc) and dry fruits (0.93pc). EDUCATION: Computer and allied products (1.73pc).
CLEANING, LAUNDRY AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE: Lifebuoy toilet soap (1.05pc).
WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX: WPI for food went up by 1.24pc during August 2003, as compared to July 2003.
The same period saw an increase of 2.10pc in WPI for raw materials. The items included in this category were cotton and cotton seed which became costlier by 3.76pc and 2.42pc, respectively. As against August 2002, this group became dearer by 9.28pc.
In the group “fuel, lighting and lubricants”, WPI for which increased by 2.15pc, the following items registered increase: Motor fuels (4.49pc), other oils (2.84pc) and natural gas (1.99pc).
WPI for the group “manufacturers” moved up by 0.07pc. In this group matches recorded an increase of 1.95pc.
The FBS statement also shows 2.79pc decrease in WPI for building materials. In this group, iron bars and sheets are reported to have become cheaper by 5.18pc.
